Student startup a winner

What started as a student-run free printing service has turned into a small startup business attracting hundreds of students a week.

Niesh was started by three University of Auckland students in 2015.

After securing a $95,000 investment grant from Smales Farm commercial precinct, the start-up has expanded its services to include a student lounge serving cheap food and coffee and an app that offers student discounts from local businesses.

Co-founder of Niesh James Koo, 23, said the popularity of the business had doubled to 6000 users over the past month as the staff became more confident running the operation.

The lounge provides a shared learning hub for students close to the University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology’s city campuses.

The business has seven full-time staff and 23 part-time volunteers.

Koo said the lounge and printing services are funded by the sales from the cafe espresso machine cafe and his juice and smoothie bar.

The lounge also allows students to borrow text books that can otherwise cost hundreds of dollars.

As the winner of the MYOB Business Makeover competition, Niesh received an upgrade of its software, help with accounting and administration, as well as a transformation to its lounge.

MYOB’S New Zealand general manager Carolyn Luey said Niesh had combined smart ideas and technology to build an innovative business.

‘‘The fact that the founders have achieved this business growth whilst still studying undergraduate degrees is hugely impressive.’’

Koo said the next step for Niesh could be national expansion.

While its main student base is AUT and Auckland University, Koo said he was looking to establish something similar for Waikato University and Otago University.