University of Auckland Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Our makerspace will be closed from Monday 27 October for the remainder of the year and will reopen at the beginning of Semester 1, 2026. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another year of innovation, experimentation and prototyping.

While the makerspace will be closed, Kura Matahuna Unleash Space will still be open for co-working in Start-up Studio.

Stay tuned for updates on what’s coming up in 2026. Until then, best of luck with your exams, and thank you for being part of our community!

Image: Halloween lanterns and decorations made using 3D printers in Kura Matahuna Unleash Space. 👻🎃

Kiki London 🥨 – the invite-only sublet club run by CIE alumni Toby Thomas-Smith and Te Miringa Parkes – is on the lookout for a founding generalist to join their early team in London.

💼 The role
You’ll be Kiki’s fourth founding team member, helping build and operate the fastest-growing city in their global marketplace. Think community matchmaker, operator, strategist, and future marketplace lead, all rolled into one. It's a massive opportunity for someone ready to go all in.

💰 The package
Total comp: £120k (including £40k salary + equity)
Founding team equity
Flights to London + visa sponsorship
Accommodation on arrival
Free gym + meals 5x a week
A deeply mission-driven team building something extraordinary

🌍 Why Kiki?
More than 8,000 stays. £2.7m earned by hosts. Backed by Blackbird, and angels from Airbnb, Uber, Canva, Bumble and more. London is their fastest-growing market yet, and this role is your chance to shape the future of global subletting.

💡 Who you are
Hungry. Curious. Ready to find your “one thing” and go all in. This is for someone who wants to build something that truly matters – and live an unforgettable life while doing it. You'll need drive and resilience. This might suit a grad with a bit of experience under their belt already.

📄 This isn’t your average job description.
The full story, vision, team, and how to apply is in their hiring manifesto – read it before applying:

👉 Read the full ad and hiring manifesto: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14OLakTSp4Q2B0xmVG-xCwI6z29kI5--IAhYoXzIJzMg/edit?tab=t.0 =h.c56ms1lbpo1u

Tag a friend. Or take the leap yourself. 🔥

It’s an exciting week for innovation in Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland Startup Week!

Running from 20-24 October, this inaugural event brings together founders, investors, researchers, and policy leaders for a landmark celebration of innovation.

University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, including UniServices, and the Newmarket Innovation Precinct are proud to be part of the week, showcasing ventures, networks, and entrepreneurial expertise that are shaping the future of Aotearoa’s innovation ecosystem.

As part of Startup Week, we’re supporting two key events:

🔹 Nexus Summit
📅 Wednesday 22 October, 9am-3 pm

Nexus brings together early and mid-career professionals working in research commercialisation. A programme of speakers, workshops, and panels focuses on building capability in a sector critical to turning research into products, services, and companies that deliver public benefit.

Professor and CIE Academic Director Rod B. McNaughton, will speak at the event. He will explore how changing models of impact are reshaping the role of technology transfer professionals and the wider innovation system.

🔹 UniServices Investment Showcase
📅 Thursday 23 October, 4-6.30 pm

Hosted at Unleash Space, this showcase highlights groundbreaking University spinouts pitching to investors and partners - a dynamic evening of inspiration and connection.

Auckland Startup Week is a chance to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the innovation driving our city forward.

Learn more and explore the full programme: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/08/22/innovative-capability-set-to-shine-at-auckland-startup-week.html

Don’t miss the last Start-up Fireside Chats of the year!

Join 🤖Sam Hoh, Founder and CEO of Robot-Hub, for an inspiring conversation on how technology and automation can transform the way we work.

Learn how Sam, a self-taught software developer and former accountant, bootstrapped his company from scratch, now delivering robotic automation solutions across New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia.

📅 2-3.30pm, Tuesday 21 October
📍 Unleash Space, 20 Symonds Street
💡Open to all University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau students and staff.
🔗Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/start-up-fireside-chats-tickets-1588349037729?aff=oddtdtcreator

🌠 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 - 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗩𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 $𝟭𝟬𝟬𝗞 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲.

From AI-assisted in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to space optics and live sports gaming, the Velocity $100K Challenge, run by the Velocity student leadership committee in partnership with CIE, showcased bold innovation and entrepreneurship.

🎉 Three teams took a slice of the $100K prize pool, with 122 entries and 14 finalists showcasing ideas that push boundaries and inspire change.

🏆 Top honours: IVF Decision Support Tool - an AI-powered system to support fertility treatments, improving IVF success rates and patient experiences.
🥈 Runner-up: Deployable Space Optics - creating compact telescopic baffles to improve satellite imaging and reduce launch costs.
🥉 Third place: PollSport - a live sports prediction app that turns watching the game into an interactive experience.

At the celebration event, the keynote speaker was Essano Limited co-founder Anthony Gadsdon, who shared wisdom about product development and market expansion.

CIE Director Darsel Keane had a message to participants - every idea counts. Whether you win or not, CIE is here to support participants on their entrepreneurial journey.

Thanks to all the mentors, speakers, judges, colleagues, and everyone who supported the Velocity $100K Challenge! Your support makes this impactful programme possible.

Read more about the winners: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/10/17/start-ups-reach-for-the-stars---literally---in--100k-challenge-.html

Congratulations to our CIE alumni who have been selected for the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono Leadership Network. Among them is Jason Tran, former CEO of Velocity University of Auckland. He says, “This is such a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of Asia and collaborate with others who are equally passionate about bridging cultures."

Read more: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/10/09/the-new-leaders-shaping-nz-connection-with-asia.html

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

When promising ventures stall inside universities, it’s rarely due to a lack of talent or ambition but rather because of friction between processes, teams, or priorities.

At the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers - GCEC 2025 Conference in Calgary, Professor Rod B. McNaughton, CIE’s Academic Director, and Will Charles, UniServices’ Executive Director of Investment, shared how Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, is bridging that gap.

Their session, From Friction to Fit: Helping Entrepreneurship Centres and Tech Transfer Offices Work Together, explored how CIE and UniServices have developed a coordinated approach that supports founders from early learning to commercialisation.

This integrated model was illustrated through the success story of Alimetry, a venture that began with the Velocity $100k Challenge and went on to raise NZ$16 million in Series A funding with support from both CIE and UniServices.

Professor McNaughton and Will Charles also launched the From Friction to Fit Innovation Toolkit, offering design principles for building stronger, more inclusive innovation pathways across university systems.

Read more: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/10/13/strengthening-innovation-pathways-in-universities.html

Transforming scholarship into social good - PhD candidate Juliet Inyang at University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, is exploring how research can translate into impact, equity, and entrepreneurship.

From co-founding platforms that connect African scholars and migrants to joining the Doctoral Entrepreneurial Leadership Programme and Vanguard Expedition to Silicon Valley, Juliet is leading with purpose and proving that knowledge can truly change the world.

💬 “Research should not just sit on a shelf. Its true purpose is to solve problems and create impact.”

Read more: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/10/10/transforming-scholarship-into-social-good.html

𝗩𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 $𝟭𝟬𝟬𝗸 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 - 𝟭𝟱 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 🎉

After a record-breaking 122 entries, the stage is set for an evening celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.

Join us to recognise the creativity and ambition of our student and staff innovators as we reveal who will take home a share of the $100k prize pool.

📅 Wednesday, 15 October 2025
🕕 6-8:30pm
📍 Sir Owen G Glenn Building

Come be inspired, connect with the start-up community, and see where bold ideas can lead.

RSVP now: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/velocity-100k-challenge-grand-final-prize-giving-2025-tickets-1110806354709?aff=oddtdtcreator

Congratulations to Hiraia Haami-Wells, winner of the Most Meritorious Innovation (Business and Innovation) category at the 2025 Blues Awards.

Hiraia conceived and led Kurutao, the University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau’s inaugural Māori entrepreneurial leaders expedition delivered by the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). Her leadership brought kaupapa Māori into entrepreneurship education, empowering Māori students to explore innovation on their own terms and opening new pathways for their success as future leaders and changemakers.

Ngā mihi Hiraia for your inspiring vision and dedication to shaping the future of Māori innovation.

🏆University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, has been recognised by CAUDIT for operational excellence in IT - celebrating the success of its AI Assistant, which now supports over 9,000 conversations and 60,000 searches each month.

Developed by the University’s Enterprise AI team in collaboration with partners IBM and ElementX AI, the Assistant is setting a new benchmark for accessibility, accuracy, and user experience.

👏 Congratulations to the team on this incredible achievement!

Merita Saili, Massimiliano Berimballi, Stevie Kerrison, Hannah K., Kaitlyn Doo, Micah Angeline B.,Pranil Singh, Mahmood Shaik, Ming Cheuk,
George Qiao, Carter Apas-Cree, Kevin Adams, Libby Lavrova, Sherry Yu, Nirandika Wanigasekara, Ph.D., Andrew Johnson, Dan Xu, PhD, Matt Poole

A proud achievement for our community of innovators leading digital transformation.

Read more: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/10/07/ai-assistant-enhances-digital-experience-at-uoa.html

🌍 Final call to make the SHIFT!

Join us this Friday, 10 October, for SHIFT: The Social Impact Unconference - a day of collaboration, creativity and big ideas for positive change.

Shape the agenda, connect with changemakers, and explore how you can turn your ideas into action. Plus, be in to win an awesome prize on the day 🎁

📍 Unleash Space, 20 Symonds Street
🕘 9am-4:30pm
👉Register: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/cie/programmes-workshops-events/all/shift.html

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event where you set the direction.