Our next generation of innovators
31 May 2019
Useful advice from three young innovators.
Kate Riegle Van West: Founder, SpinPoi
The enterprise
SpinPoi is a social enterprise based on Kate's doctoral thesis in Dance Studies, a scientific study on the impact of poi exercises on elderly people. It found use of the poi improved upper limb strength and range of motion and reduced blood pressure. Kate (pictured) won the prestigious Future Leader Award from the Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Research Forum in 2017.
The lesson
"Not being committed to a particular mindset or paradigm allows me to pivot and progress."
Good advice
"Go for it! Approach things playfully, ask lots of questions and follow your heart. It won't be easy, but most things worth pursuing aren't."
Neil Birrell: Director, Hexacycle Ltd
The enterprise
Hexacycle aims to convert organic waste into a source of sustainable protein and oil. Neil hopes to do this by bringing insect protein into our food chain, while reducing organic waste in landfills. Neil and his team won the social innovation category in the 2016 Velocity $100k Challenge.
The lesson
"Being innovative and entrepreneurial is like a super power: it can change the world for the better."
Good advice
"While you're studying is the best time to explore entrepreneurial pathways, as you have the whole university wanting you to succeed and lots of opportunities available to you."
Alliv Samson: Co-founder and COO, Kami
The enterprise
Kami is an app for students and teachers to collaboratively annotate and edit online documents. It has five million users, with a team spread across the United States, New Zealand and the Philippines. The idea for Kami came up when Alliv was completing her Bachelor of Arts.
The lesson
"Execution is important. Ideas have no value until you do something about it. You have to be prepared to either succeed or fail. What is important is to execute fast and learn from the process."
Good advice
One of her investors, Sam Altman, the president of start-up accelerator Y Combinator, told Alliv, "Follow your instincts and take risks."
