University innovators recognised for tackling real-world problems

Winners of this year’s Velocity Ideas Challenge put forward bold ideas aimed at some of society’s biggest challenges, spanning healthcare, sustainability, education and community wellbeing.

The Ideas Challenge, run through Velocity, the University’s student-led entrepreneurship development programme, in partnership with the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), encourages participants to explore how innovation and entrepreneurship can create meaningful impact.

Open to students, researchers and staff from across campus, the challenge is often the first step for aspiring founders and innovators testing early-stage ideas.

This year’s entries reflected the diversity and depth of innovation emerging across the University community.

Twenty winning ideas were awarded a $1,000 cash prize.

Artificial intelligence featured strongly, particularly in healthcare and education, alongside ventures focused on climate resilience, marine sustainability, biosecurity, clean energy and improving access to healthcare services. Many ideas combined advanced technologies with practical, real-world applications grounded in Aotearoa New Zealand contexts.

For many entrants, the Ideas Challenge becomes a launchpad for further venture development, with participants encouraged to continue to the Velocity $100k Challenge, where they can compete for funding and support to bring their ideas to life.

The Ideas Challenge sits at the front end of the Velocity programme, encouraging participants to engage with entrepreneurial principles such as ideation and validation. It provides a way for participants to explore entrepreneurship, test ideas and build confidence before progressing further into the start-up ecosystem.

Agentic Biomarker Discovery Engine
BEACON (Biomarker Evidence and Causal Observation Network) is a multi-agent AI platform that automates the biomarker discovery pipeline for central nervous system clinical trials.

AI Can’t Fake Kōrero
Kōrero is an AI-powered interactive oral assessment platform that verifies genuine student understanding through live, adaptive conversation, helping educators design and scale oral assessments.

AtlasOR: Revolutionising Anatomy Education
AtlasOR develops patient-specific digital anatomy models generated from clinical imaging, enabling medical students and surgeons to visualise structures and rehearse procedures more safely and effectively.

Backyard Sports STEM Kits
Backyard creates electronic sports kits that teach electronics and engineering through hands-on outdoor sports activities.

Beyond Brain Barriers
This project explores a needle-free nasal drug delivery system designed to improve how brain cancer treatments reach the brain.

BioSleeve
BioSleeve is a passive decontamination cartridge for recreational boats that helps prevent the spread of invasive marine pests through anchor chains.

Deployable Offshore Solar Array
A mobile offshore solar platform designed to deliver temporary renewable power in remote marine environments and disaster-affected coastal regions.

GridWatch
GridWatch retrofits underground power cables with real-time thermal monitoring to safely unlock additional network capacity and extend infrastructure lifespan.

HiveAlert
HiveAlert uses in-hive acoustic sensing to detect varroa mite infestations early, helping beekeepers prevent hive loss.

Kite
Kite is a visual property wealth platform that helps homeowners and first-home buyers understand mortgages, equity and long-term financial growth.

LOHA: Iron, Reimagined
LOHA develops functional iron drinks designed to address iron deficiency using gentle, science-backed formulations.

Misoma
Misoma uses machine learning to predict sediment build-up in commercial ports, enabling more efficient and proactive dredging management.

NestPath
NestPath is a personalised pregnancy navigation platform that provides evidence-based guidance and support for families through pregnancy and early parenting.

Non-invasive, Live Water-usage Feedback
A clip-on device that monitors sink water usage in real time and provides instant feedback to encourage water conservation.

PolliSense
PolliSense uses AI to help kiwifruit growers predict optimal pollination timing using weather, imagery and historical yield data.

PulseMap PAD Detector
PulseMap is a portable device designed to improve early detection of peripheral arterial disease through non-invasive vascular screening.

Renewly
Renewly helps public organisations make evidence-based decisions about underused or climate-exposed assets by combining financial, emissions and resilience data.

ShoalCall
ShoalCall explores virtual acoustic fencing for fish farming, replacing physical nets with species-specific underwater sound systems.

Thera: Clinical AI Companion
Thera is an AI-supported mental health platform designed to provide personalised therapeutic support and clinical insights between therapy sessions.

Tuakana Health
Tuakana Health connects Māori and Pacific patients with culturally matched healthcare professionals to improve trust and health outcomes.