Velocity Ideas Challenge

Entries for the Ideas Challenge have now closed.

Do you have an idea to solve a social issue, tackle an environmental problem, or seize a market opportunity? Maybe your idea is inspired by university research?

Submit an entry of up to 1,000 words showcasing your solution for the chance to win $1,000! Open to all students and staff at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, this challenge is designed to ignite innovation and celebrate fresh thinking.

Our judges are on the lookout for ideas with the potential to fly. Winners receive a cash prize – no strings attached. Use it to develop your idea, kickstart your venture, or however you choose!

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.

If you’re external to the University, don’t worry – you can still enter as long as a lead applicant of your team is a University of Auckland student or staff member.

Problem identification and validation: Develop skills in identifying real-world challenges and validating solutions.

Communicating ideas effectively: Learn how to present your idea in a clear and persuasive way that communicates your vision.

Industry expert feedback: Your entry will be reviewed by at least two industry experts from the entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a moderating panel ensuring rigorous review. Regardless of the outcome, you’ll receive feedback and advice to refine your idea further.

The chance to win $1,000! With faculty-specific prizes and speciality categories, there are 20 chances to win!

Faculty prizes

The Ideas Challenge is open to everyone from every faculty of the University of Auckland. We are looking for impactful and innovative ideas first and foremost, and we know these can come from anywhere.

Each of the six faculties, as well as  the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and the Liggins Institute, will recognise the top entries submitted by their students and staff.

Specialty prizes

You may also qualify for a specialty prize. When you submit your entry, tick the box next to the specialty prize. You can then elaborate on why your idea is relevant to that prize.

Medtech-iQ Tāmaki Makaurau

For an idea using technology to address New Zealand’s healthcare needs including the gap in health literacy.

Fetu’una’i Award

For an idea that uses innovation to uplift and empower Pacific communities, drawing on cultural knowledge, local resources, and creative thinking to address social, environmental, or health challenges.

The Kura Roa Award

This award embodies the ethos 'Kia whakamana i a tātou', acknowledging, maintaining and restoring the mana and tapu of all. It represents our interactions with each other and our taiao. Our tūpuna traversed the moana and whenua, innovating and adapting to all challenges placed in front of them with the future in mind. This award is for ideas that continue this tradition of innovation and creativity, that enhance our interactions with our environment and each other.

Our judges are looking for entries with strong potential for success, based on innovation, market understanding, combination of skills, and venture potential.

All entries are reviewed by a panel of experienced judges from across the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Each submission is assessed by at least two judges, along with a moderating panel to ensure consistency and fairness throughout the process.

Once initial evaluations are complete, the judging groups come together to select the top entries in each prize category.

Whether or not you get a prize, you’ll have the opportunity to attend a feedback session where our judges will share valuable insights to help you refine your idea and take it even further.

Entries for the Ideas Challenge have now closed.

Join us in celebrating the incredible innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit shown by our University of Auckland community at the 2026 Velocity Ideas Challenge Prize Giving.

Date: Thursday 21 May, 6-9pm
Location: Sir Owen G Glenn Building

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship provides a world of opportunity to participants so that they can stand-out and create value through innovative careers and start-up creation.

CIE is New Zealand’s leading University entrepreneurship centre, winning 14 international awards since 2020.