Start-up Fireside Chats

Spark your start-up journey! Join a community of aspiring founders and early-stage entrepreneurs at our Start-up Fireside Chats for relaxed, insightful conversations with experienced innovators. This is your chance to connect, learn, and get the advice and inspiration you need to take your ideas further.

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.

Find like-minded people: Meet other students and staff who are exploring entrepreneurship.
Build your professional network: Develop connections with practising innovators and entrepreneurs.
Develop an entrepreneurial mindset: Lean into developing a growth mindset and resilience, essential to prepare you on your entrepreneurial journey.

Fresh perspectives: Gain diverse insights that can help you shape and refine your ideas.
Practical support: Take away tips and inspiration to bring your venture to life.

Start-up Fireside Chats will have a range of guest speakers throughout the semester. Register for each session that you’re interested in.

Applications close at 10am on the day of each individual fireside chat.

All Start-up Fireside Chat sessions will take place at Unleash Space, 20 Symonds Street.

Tuesday 16 September 12–1.30pm
Guest speaker: Dr Olivia Ogilvie - Co-founder and CEO of Opo Bio

Dr Olivia Ogilvie, co-founder and CEO of Opo Bio, is a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024 honoree and leader in biotech innovation. With a PhD from Auckland, she drives sustainable food system technologies, bridging research, commercialisation, and venture capital in New Zealand’s science ecosystem.

Tuesday 30 September 12–1.30pm
Guest speaker: Luke Sutherland-Stacey, PhD - Founder of Weather Radar New Zealand 

Dr Luke Sutherland-Stacey, a two-time Velocity Ideas Challenge winner, bridges research and application in in-situ and remote sensing. Founder of Weather Radar New Zealand, he offers expert rain radar consulting and monitoring. He completed his PhD in Physics while engaging with the University of Auckland’s CIE programme.

Tuesday 7 October 12–1.30pm
Guest speaker: Haylee Killip -  Founder and CEO of NOD 

Haylee spent 16 years in advertising before becoming a mum, which changed her life. Struggling to find trusted childcare, she created NOD, an Uber-like platform delivering vetted nannies to your door in under an hour. NOD gives parents flexible, real-time support to work, rest, or take a break.

Tuesday 21 October 12–1.30pm
Guest speaker: Sam Hoh - Founder and CEO of Robot-Hub 

Sam Hoh, founder of Robot-Hub, is a self-taught software developer and former accountant who delivers Robotic Automation to small businesses. Sam fully boot-strapped the company without acquiring any external sources of funding. Robot-Hub now delivers solutions across New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia. With a passion for practical, user-friendly tech and a focus on innovation, he combines technical expertise with a people-first approach to create efficient, impactful solutions. 

If you have questions about the programme, please contact cie_programmes@auckland.ac.nz