Out-of-the-box ideas shine at Solve It innovation challenge

Energy, creativity and bold thinking were on full display as more than 100 students from across the University of Auckland took part in Solve It, an innovation challenge that sees teams tackle real-world problems from some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s biggest organisations.

With a total of $20,000 in prize money on offer for the best ideas, the week-long event gave students the rare opportunity to turn big ideas into practical solutions.

The programme was delivered by the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), with Eden Park as lead supporter alongside its commercial partners AA Insurance, Samsung and Permobil, which supplies disabilities products.

Together they set students the task of solving a series of complex issues, including preparing Auckland for future floods, improving physical accessibility, reimagining fan experiences at Eden Park, and exploring new ways mobile technology could improve everyday life.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater says the skills and experience that students gain at Solve It will stay with them long after graduation.

“Solve It gives students a valuable opportunity to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways, while fostering the kind of innovative thinking and creativity that will be vital in helping them make a real difference in their future careers,” she says. “We are grateful to Eden Park, AA Insurance, Samsung and Permobil for their vision and support in making this possible.”

Sixteen teams were formed for Solve It, bringing together students from all faculties of the University who had applied to take part in the programme. Most were strangers at the outset and had to quickly learn to collaborate with people bringing different knowledge, experiences and perspectives. They were also exposed to a range of skills and techniques such as design thinking and prototyping.

In the semi-finals, prize money was awarded to winners in each heat. The competition culminated in a high-energy final at CIE on 5 September, where teams pitched their solutions to a panel of judges, which included Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation Professor Frank Bloomfield, CIE Director Darsel Keane and UniServices Executive Director Strategic Growth Analeise Murahidy.

When the judging was done, it was Team Fireant who came out on top. Tasked with addressing AA Insurance’s challenge of how Auckland can better prepare for future floods, their energetic and ambitious presentation earned them both the $6,000 first prize and the $1,000 People’s Choice Award. They also received a trophy, made in CIE’s Makerspace.

The team proposed installing a high-spec soil mix on verges in flood-prone areas, paired with an IoT (Internet of Things) device to monitor conditions. Judges praised the team’s out-of-the-box thinking, multifaceted approach and tremendous energy.

Second place went to Team Pleiades, who won $3,000 for their solution to Samsung’s challenge around how to use mobile technology to make life better. Their proposal addressed productivity through the design of an application that took into consideration common user behaviours. The judges noted how well the team gelled, their careful rehearsal and their strong alignment with their industry brief.

There were surprises too. Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner announced that every student who participated in Solve it would receive a free ticket to October’s Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live arena show.

“Eden Park was proud to support Solve It, a programme that inspires bold ideas and helps prepare the next generation of innovators,” he said. “Just as New Zealand’s national stadium is a blank canvas for creativity, Solve It gave students the chance to experiment, collaborate and bring fresh thinking to real-world challenges.

“Alongside our commercial partners – AA Insurance, Samsung and Permobil – we were pleased to set challenges that encouraged students to think differently and deliver practical solutions. The energy, imagination and teamwork on display last week showed that our future is in great hands.”