2021 Innovation Challenge Winners

Ideas Unleashed: Weekend Workshop

5 May – 7 May 2023

Ideas Unleashed is free for all current students and staff of the University of Auckland. No prior experience with innovation, entrepreneurship or business is required, nor do you need an idea for a start-up to participate.

Programme commitment: You will need to be available for the whole weekend, as you will have teammates depending on you!

About Ideas Unleashed

Ideas Unleashed: Weekend Workshop is an interactive workshop designed to remove barriers and give you the basics of developing your idea into reality. You’ll meet new people, create teams, talk to mentors and experts, and gain access to a suite of tools and techniques that will help you navigate the start-up process.

But that’s not all. You’ll get a chance to have a play in the award-winning, state of the art Maker Space to produce a tangible prototype! We have laser cutters, 3D printers, sewing machines, and heaps more – plus a team of Creative Technologists on hand to show you how to use it.

What will I learn during the weekend?

  • How to come up with an idea
  • You will learn about the Lean Canvas business model
  • Learn how to talk to customers
  • How to interact in a team environment
  • How to pitch your idea/product
  • How to create a prototype
  • How to write a better entry for the Velocity Ideas Challenge

What will I get out of the programme?

Ideas Unleashed is a chance for you to practice leadership skills, collaboration, and problem solving while developing ideas to make a difference in the world! Not to mention, you’ll have a competitive advantage over others who enter the Ideas Challenge!

At the end of the workshop, you will come out with:

  A high-level pitch of your idea, including the mission and purpose of your product or service

  An understanding of the Lean Canvas business model

–   A tangible prototype

–   A greater entrepreneurial capability!

You’ll expand your networks by meeting mentors who will ask you questions throughout the weekend and challenging your thinking! You will also get to work with a diverse group of people from a variety of backgrounds and study disciplines who all have the common goal of wanting to take ideas off the paper and into real life. You will be amazed by what you achieve!

Is there anything else I should know about Ideas Unleashed?

Did we mention that the weekend will finish off with awards? So not only will you get free food all weekend, you and your team have the chance to walk away with some cool prizes!

Plus, that’s not all – you will also be eligible for Co-Curricular Recognition credit for attending the full weekend.  Sign up to the Innovation Pathway to be recognised for your hard work!