University’s entrepreneurial expertise on show at Auckland Startup Week

Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland played a leading role in Auckland’s first Startup Week, bringing together founders, investors and researchers for a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The event, held from 20 to 24 October, highlighted the city’s growing role on the global innovation stage, with the University of Auckland and UniServices, the University’s commercialisation company, among its founding sponsors.

Auckland Startup Week forms part of a wider effort to strengthen Auckland’s reputation as a global city of innovation. In July, the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater was named among a select group of leaders driving this transformation through the newly established Auckland Innovation & Technology Alliance.

As Auckland’s focus in these areas continues to grow, Professor Freshwater says collaboration will be key to turning that momentum into long-term success.

“Auckland has the opportunity to lead the way in how innovation and technology can serve New Zealand’s future. By strengthening collaboration between universities, industry and local government, we can ensure those efforts benefit our communities.”

That spirit of collaboration was on full display during the week, including through the Newmarket Innovation Precinct showcase. Visitors went behind the scenes of the University’s world-class research facilities to see how scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs are working side by side to turn cutting-edge research into practical solutions for industry and society.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Frank Bloomfield, says Auckland Startup Week events at the University demonstrate how research excellence connects with the technology and talent that drive innovation.

“It’s a chance to show how discoveries made here at the University can grow into ventures and partnerships that strengthen Auckland’s position as a centre for innovation.”

The week also featured UniServices, which supports researchers by helping to bring their ideas to life. The UniServices Investment Showcase drew a full house, with strong attendance from the investment community and key stakeholders across Auckland’s innovation network.

The event was held at Unleash Space, part of the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and brought together investors and spinout founders for an evening of rapid-fire pitches. The showcase featured ten ventures that began as University research projects and are now developing into viable businesses.

UniServices was also involved in delivering the Nexus Summit, an event for early and mid-career professionals working in research commercialisation. The summit featured a keynote address from Professor Rod McNaughton and focused on building capability in translating research into products, services and companies that deliver public benefit.

Dr Greg Murison, UniServices CEO and the University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor Innovation and Enterprise, says the events captured the energy of Auckland’s growing innovation community.

“Auckland Startup Week has been a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the strength and depth of our innovation ecosystem. Through UniServices, we’re helping researchers and founders turn great ideas into investable ventures that contribute to New Zealand’s growth and global reputation.”

In September, the University of Auckland was named Innovative and Entrepreneurial University of the Year at the Triple E Awards in Prague, recognising its approach to start-up creation and innovation across teaching, research and operations.