Do you have a $1,000 idea?
What do you need to do?
Have an idea that could make a real impact?
Whether it’s addressing a social or environmental challenge, tapping into a market opportunity, or building on your research, the Ideas Challenge is your chance to bring it to life.
The challenge is open to all current University of Auckland undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as staff. If you’re outside the University, you can still take part – just team up with at least one UoA student or staff member.
To enter, simply submit a 1,000-word summary outlining your venture idea. We’ve created a helpful template to guide you through exactly what to include.
Our judges are looking for ideas with real venture potential. The best entries will receive $1,000 in prize money – no strings attached. Use it to take your idea further, test it out, or however you choose.
Got an idea worth sharing? We’d love to see where it could go.
What are the rules?
You can download the full Velocity Challenge rules HERE. Please make sure to read them carefully before submitting your entry.
What are the dates to look out for?
- Entries OPEN on 7 April at 12pm (NOON)
- Ideas Challenge Entry Development Hub (drop in sessions) on 2 & 9 May
- Ideas Challenge Workshop on 8 May
- Entries CLOSE on 12 May at 12pm (NOON)
- Ideas Challenge Prize Giving on 22 May
- Ideas Challenge Judges Feedback on 28 May
How are top entries selected?
All entries are reviewed by a panel of experienced judges from across the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Each submission is assessed by at least two judges, along with a moderating panel to ensure consistency and fairness throughout the process.
Once initial evaluations are complete, the judging groups come together to select the top entries in each prize category.
Whether or not you get a prize, you’ll have the opportunity to attend a feedback session where our judges will share valuable insights to help you refine your idea and take it even further.
What’s up for grabs?
Faculty Prizes
- Each of the six faculties at the University of Auckland will recognise the top entries submitted by their students and staff.
- AND for the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and the Liggins Institute.
Specialty Prizes
You may also qualify for a specialty prize. Please read through the eligibility criteria below for each prize and make sure you tick the box next to the specialty prize in the Good Grants platform when you submit your entry. You’ll be given the chance to elaborate on why your idea is relevant to that prize.
- Medtech-iQ Tāmaki Makaurau: For an idea using technology to address New Zealand’s healthcare needs including the gap in health literacy.
- Fetu’una’i Award: For an idea that uses innovation to uplift and empower Pacific communities, drawing on cultural knowledge, local resources, and creative thinking to address social, environmental, or health challenges.
- The Kura Roa Award: This award embodies the ethos “Kia whakamana i a tātou”, acknowledging, maintaining and restoring the mana and tapu of all. It represents our interactions with each other and our taiao. Our tūpuna traversed the moana and whenua, innovating and adapting to all challenges placed in front of them with the future in mind. This award is for ideas that continue this tradition of innovation and creativity, that enhance our interactions with our environment and each other.
Help & Inspiration
Ideas Challenge Workshop
Date: Thursday 8 May 2025, 4:30 – 6pm
Location: Unleash Space
In this workshop, you’ll get practical guidance to help shape and strengthen your entry. We’ll walk through what makes a compelling submission, share tips from past participants, and make sure you’ve covered all the key elements. The Velocity team will also be on hand to answer any questions about the Ideas Challenge, the entry process, or competition details.
Do you need any help with your entry? Want some valuable one on one feedback and advice? Look no further, because we’re running Entry Development Hubs to help you!
These sessions are your opportunity to meet face to face with one of our Velocity committee members and discuss your entry to give yourself the best chance to do your idea justice through a strong submission.
Our Entry Development Hub sessions will be held on Friday 2 May and Friday 9 May, both from 12:00 – 2:00pm at Unleash Space. Feel free to drop in anytime to chat with us or ask questions!
Do you need help coming up with ideas that could win you a $1000? Fill in this template to get those creative juices flowing.
Step 1: What is a problem you have faced in the past week/month ?
Staying at home means that I don’t exercise as much as I used to.
Step 2: How is that problem being solved right now ?
Online tutorials for workouts at home are available on Youtube and other MOOC websites.
Step 3: How can you solve that better ?
These online courses feel generic and cater to everyone, but I would like workouts and a plan catered to my personal requirements. Therefore I can have an app that asks for age, gender, height, weight, and goal requirements, and through liaising with professionals, generates a plan suited for me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enter with someone who is not a University of Auckland student or staff member?
Yes, as long as a core member of your team is a current University of Auckland student or staff member, anyone can enter.
What are the judges looking for?
Our judges are looking for entries with strong potential for success, based on innovation, market understanding, combination of skills, and venture potential. View the full judging guidelines here: JUDGING GUIDELINES
How are the prizes paid?
Payments will be processed through the Scholarships Office for University of Auckland student winners. Winning staff members will need to raise a request via Concur. Detailed instructions will be given to all the winners.
What faculty do I have to be a part of to enter?
The Ideas Challenge is open to everyone from every faculty of the University of Auckland. We are looking for impactful and innovative ideas first and foremost, and we know these can come from anywhere.
I don’t have anything to show for my idea. Can I still enter and have a shot at winning?
Of course! One of our core aims at Velocity is turning your first-class ideas into world-class businesses. We expect early-stage ideas and don’t expect to see fully functional prototypes. We just need to hear a summary of your idea at its current stage of development!
However, we do encourage you to consider strengthening your entry by working on a prototype – and the best place to start is the CIE Makerspace.
Where can I get help on my idea?
We’re running Entry Development Hubs to help you refine your thinking and strengthen your submission. Come chat one-on-one with a Velocity committee member on Friday 2 May and Friday 9 May, from 12:00–2:00pm at Unleash Space!
We also have our Ideas Challenge Workshop, on Thursday 8 May, from 4:30–6:00pm at Unleash Space, where we’ll walk you through what makes a compelling submission and share practical tips to elevate your idea.
And if you’ve got any questions along the way, feel free to reach out on @velocityuoa or email us at admin@velocity.auckland.ac.nz—we’re here to help!
Why Enter?
Feedback
You’re able to receive tailored feedback for your idea from our esteemed panel of judges — whether you win or not!
Funding
Win $1,000 to accelerate your idea, or spend it any way you like.
Experience
Come together with friends, build your very own venture, and make an impact on our world
Questions? We’re happy to help!