UNIVERSITY OPENS HUB TO FOSTER NEW VENTURES
THE UNIVERSITY of Auckland has launched the Unleash Space (www.unleashspace.ac.nz), a new innovation and entrepreneurship hub designed to grow ideas into ventures.
The student-led hub is managed by the University’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, based at the Business School, and will support students through all stages of the innovation and entrepreneurship life cycle, from idea generation and prototyping to product commercialisation.
Centre director Wendy Kerr says the space comprises a state-ofthe-art maker-space as well as areas for workshops, collaboration and other support.
“Students can design and create anything they can imagine. If they choose to, they can use their prototype to see if they could start a business with their idea,” she says.
“We have wrap-around support and leading edge equipment, and we also have experiential programmes and events that can help them grow their idea to a successful venture.”
Ahead of the official launch, nearly 600 students had signed up as members and been trained on the maker-space equipment, which includes 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics equipment, sewing machines and other tools.
Dean of Business Professor Jayne Godfrey says the Unleash Space will help prepare current students for the future world of work.
“As the future of work is changing rapidly, we need to equip our students for this new world. This is the place students can safely experience failure and learn from each other. This space is unique in the University as it brings people together from diverse backgrounds and academic disciplines. They will learn together and from each other,” she says.
“Innovative ideas need entrepreneurial spirit to take them to fruition and put them into practice.”
In the coming year, the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will offer more than 150 workshops, seminars and events to more than 2,000 students at the Unleash Space. These are designed to build innovative and entrepreneurial mindsets and capabilities enabling graduates to thrive in their careers, whether they choose to work in a large corporate, join a start-up or begin their own business.