Product Development Programme

Submissions open: 28 May
Information session: 4 June, 4pm (online)
Submissions close: 15 June
Confirmation of acceptance: 19 June
Kickoff session: 25 June
Programme start and duration: 1-11 July

In person at Unleash Space – 20 Symonds St and online

This two-week, hands-on innovation sprint will support you to turn early-stage product ideas into real, working prototypes. You’ll work in a cross-disciplinary team alongside students and staff from across the University, tackling real-world challenges inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

To get the most out of the programme, we recommend applying with a team, someone to share the load, bounce ideas off, and help move the project forward. While solo applicants are welcome, the programme is collaborative by design. If you don’t have a team or a full formed idea, we’ll help you connect with others who bring complementary skills and interests. 

Throughout the programme, you will gain practical experience in rapid prototyping and product development. Learn how to design, build, test and iterate your ideas in a supportive, collaborative environment, and get access to fabrication tools, technical training and expert mentorship.

By the end of the programme, you’ll showcase your minimum viable product (MVP) at a demonstration event, and walk away with new skills, fresh connections, and a mindset that embraces innovation, creativity and confident problem-solving.

CIE’s programmes are free for University of Auckland students and staff. These co-curricular programmes help develop innovation and entrepreneurship skills alongside formal studies. While there are no formal assessments, participation may count towards the co-curricular recognition programme and the Distinguished Graduate Award.

Learn by doing: Gain practical experience in product design, prototyping, and fabrication using advanced tools (e.g. 3D printers and laser cutters) in the Unleash Space maker space.
Get a competitive edge: Create a working prototype or MVP that can be carried into CIE’s Ignite Innovation pre-accelerator or the Velocity $100k Challenge, providing a competitive edge in these programmes.
Prizes: We’ve got some exciting rewards to recognise standout projects and celebrate your efforts. First place – a cash prize plus a stipend to help you take your idea further. Second place – a stipend to support continued development. Spot prizes for creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and other surprise categories. And a People’s Choice Award!  
Be recognised: Build a portfolio of practical work that demonstrates innovation and technical skills to future employers or investors. Your experience in the Product Development Programme could also earn you credits towards a Distinguished Graduate Award.
Collaboration and networking: Work in diverse teams with peers from engineering, business, arts, science, and design to support creative problem-solving and interdisciplinary networking. Develop valuable industry contacts to support your entrepreneurial and professional growth.

Prototyping basics: Explore technology for fabrication and visualise your solutions. 
Entrepreneurial mindset cultivation: Develop an iterative, problem-solving approach through real-world prototyping, fostering a “fail-fast, learn-fast” mentality. 
Hands-on experiential learning and early validation: Strengthen your iterative problem-solving abilities. 
Design thinking: Become familiar with Design Thinking concepts and apply them to solve problems. 
Pitching skills: Learn how to confidently present and sell your ideas. 

• Duration: 2 weeks, part time
• Commitment: Estimated 30 hours per week

The programme will be a combination of sessions on campus at Unleash Space, 20 Symonds Street, and online sessions.

Programme schedule

Week 1: 1-5 July – Unleash Space

Intro workshop – Ice breakers, Starter kits, Prototyping tips and tricks, Team formation and advice
Design and fabrication workshops – CAD (TinkerCAD), Adobe Illustrator, vinyl cutting, merch making, laser cutting, 3D printing
Electronics and coding – Electronics basics, Arduino, ESP32, Soldering
AI and digital tools – AI prompt engineering, AI art for product development
Mixed reality and social sessions – Gravity sketch collab, maker night

Week 2: 7-11 July – Unleash Space

Project help drop-in – Dedicated help and advice on projects
Build session – Unleash makerspace open after-hours for project work
Final build session – Finalise projects with after-hours access to the maker space
Product Development Programme showcase build-up – Preparation time for the market stand
Product Development Programme showcase – Showcase projects and pitch to judges

Q: I don’t have a product idea yet—can I still apply? 
Absolutely! You don’t need a fully formed idea. We’ll help you explore problems worth solving, and you’ll form teams to co-create solutions during the programme. 

Q: What if I’m not sure if I’m “innovative enough” to join? 
This programme is designed to help you develop your innovative thinking! You don’t need to come in with experience—just curiosity and a willingness to learn. 

Q: I have work or study commitments—can I still participate? 
Many of our participants successfully balance other responsibilities. The schedule includes flexibility, especially outside the core sessions. 

Q: What if I’m not from a technical background? I’ve never used tools like laser cutters or 3D printers before. 
No problem! We’ll provide the technical training, and you’ll bring your own perspective—whether it's business, design, or something else. We offer beginner-friendly training. You’ll learn by doing in a safe, supportive environment with help from our Creative Technologists.

Q: What happens if I can’t attend every session? 
We expect strong attendance, especially during team and build sessions. If you anticipate any absences, let us know early—we’ll do our best to accommodate where possible. 

Q: Can I keep my prototype at the end? 
Yes! It’s yours to take and continue working on. If your project grows, we can also connect you with support through CIE’s other programmes. 

Q: What if something breaks or doesn’t work? I’ve never built anything before. 
That’s part of the process! We encourage failure as a learning tool. You’ll have access to tools, expert guidance, and supportive people around you to help troubleshoot and iterate. 

Q: Who owns the Intellectual Property of the product we develop in the programme?
If you come into the programme with your own idea, the intellectual property (IP) you bring remains yours. CIE and the University don’t claim ownership of your idea. If you join a team without bringing a pre-existing idea, you’re contributing to a collaborative learning experience. In this case, you don’t automatically have rights to the IP, since you're helping bring someone else’s idea to life during the programme. 

Once the programme ends, if your team wants to keep working on the idea, that’s the time to have the IP conversation. Who owns what? What happens next? We strongly encourage teams to discuss this openly, and we’re here to help. CIE can coach you through that process and offer guidance on how to handle IP, equity, or future development decisions. 

The big takeaway is the PDP is a learning environment first. If a real venture grows from it, that’s awesome, and we’ll support you with the tools and advice you need to navigate that next step. 

Q: What happens after the programme ends?
You’ll be well-placed to enter the Velocity $100k Challenge. You’ll be building something tangible, working in a team, and learning fast—all the stuff employers (and investors!) love to see. It also looks great on your CV or portfolio. 

If you have questions about the programme, please contact CIE Tech and Prototyping Adviser, Trevor McGurk

Sean Kelly
CIE Technology and Prototyping Manager

Sean is passionate about cultivating a new technological culture that brings together and encourages entrepreneurs and makers alike. A graduate of International Studies from Deakin University and a former tradesman Sean transitioned to the tech sector in the U.S. by working as a Technologist at the successful and unique technology space, Do Space.

Trevor McGurk
CIE Technology and Prototyping Advisor

Trevor recently moved to New Zealand from Johannesburg where he was a university Fablab manager. He has also previously held roles as an exhibition technician at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre and Technical Director at the Coloured Cube, which specialised in exhibition management.

Applications close 15 June