Source: Auckland University of Technology
16 Nov, 2026
More than 50 AUT students have completed Ara Tipu, AUT’s start-up programme delivered in partnership with The King’s Trust Aotearoa New Zealand, transforming early-stage ideas into business concepts through mentoring and hands-on entrepreneurial learning.
Students from the programme’s 2026 cohorts recently came together to celebrate their achievements and mark the next stage of their entrepreneurial journeys.
Since launching as a pilot in late 2025, Ara Tipu has supported students from across the university to explore entrepreneurship alongside their studies. Across its first three cohorts, 23 student-led ventures have received funding, with almost $150,000 invested through The King’s Trust’s He Kākano seed fund to help founders test, launch and grow their ideas.
The ventures emerging from the programme reflect the diversity of AUT’s student community. They include businesses focused on language technology, robotics education, community wellbeing, financial literacy, creative services, sustainability and digital innovation.
Over 10 weeks, participants worked through customer validation, business planning, financial forecasting, marketing, networking and pitching. For many, it was their first opportunity to take an idea beyond the classroom and test whether it could become a viable business.
Student speakers at the celebration reflected on the realities of building a venture while balancing study, work and personal commitments.
One of those speakers was Ciccone Hakaraia-Turner, who is studying a Bachelor of Business (Honours) in International Business and developing MukaReo, a te reo Māori grammar-checking tool that identifies grammatical mistakes, suggests corrections and explains the reasoning behind them.
Reflecting on the value of sharing knowledge and experiences with others, Ciccone Hakaraia-Turner encouraged fellow founders to remain open to learning and growth.
“As young entrepreneurs I think it’s important that we stay open minded, we learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, and we share our learnings with the communities that have helped us get to where we are.
“It’s important we start sharing our experiences as we go and we don’t wait till we’re successful but instead make it a habit to start now.”
Participants also heard from fellow founder and AUT Bachelor of Communication Studies student Kyla Jade Blennerhassett, who is developing an app that brings together short-form news videos from a range of sources and perspectives to help young people engage with current events.
Reflecting on her experience, Kyla spoke about the confidence she had gained through the programme.
“Before I started the programme, I struggled with a lot of imposter syndrome and had no idea how to start a business, but throughout the course I felt incredibly supported by the people around me and the facilitators.
“The learnings I gained throughout the course have now put me in a position where I can pitch for funding and look at app development options.
“I’ve really gone from feeling like I have no idea where to begin, to now having a solid concept and the ability to move forward from here.”
The latest He Kākano funding round supported a range of student-led ventures, from technology and sustainability-focused businesses to community-based services and start-up concepts. The funding helps participants take the next step, whether that means building a prototype, testing a product, expanding services or reaching new customers.
Lythan Chapman, Chief Executive of The King’s Trust Aotearoa New Zealand, said the achievements celebrated at the event reflected the potential of young people when they have access to the right support, networks and opportunities.
“It starts with saying yes, to exploring an idea, learning something new and giving yourself a chance. These students took that step and followed through, alongside study, work and family commitments.
“Through Ara Tipu, we help young people build the confidence, skills and connections to act on their ideas. They may look back one day and see that first yes as the start of something they could not yet have imagined.”
Speaking at the celebration, AUT Assistant Vice-Chancellor Engagement Amy Malcolm said the achievements of this year’s founders demonstrated what can happen when students commit to an idea and follow it through.
“A year ago many of these businesses existed only as ideas. Today we’re seeing students pitching for funding, building prototypes, finding customers and creating genuine momentum around their ventures.
“The celebration is an opportunity to recognise the work that has gone into getting to this point and to acknowledge that, for many of these founders, the next chapter is only just beginning.”
The celebration was attended by AUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Damon Salesa, Chancellor Rob Campbell, and representatives from The King’s Trust Aotearoa New Zealand.
Participants will remain connected through the growing Ara Tipu alumni network, sharing experiences, building connections and supporting future cohorts of student entrepreneurs.
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Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/11/16/student-founders-mark-major-milestone-aut-news/