ATEED launches competition to turn young entrepreneurial ideas into reality
Young Auckland entrepreneurial talent is being fostered with the launch today of iDEAStarter – a competition which encourages young people to turn their energy and ideas into action.
Entries to iDEAStarter are now open to all Aucklanders aged between 15 – 24 years old, who can either enter as a team or as an individual.
This is the third iteration of the iDEAStarter competition, sponsored by the Tindall Foundation and delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).
ATEED business, innovation, and skills general manager Patrick McVeigh says: "iDEAStarter is for young people who want to dream up an idea, create new ways of doing things, and do something to transform their community."
"The competition is designed to enable a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and works alongside other ATEED-led initiatives to nurture talent and help young people into career pathways.
Vivek Kumar, who won the 2016 iDEAStarter 18-24 year age group category, has been progressing his idea QuickSense, an online adaptive learning tool for students.
Having launched QuickSense through iDEAStarter, Vivek went on to become a finalist in Velocity, The University of Auckland's innovation and entrepreneurship programme, and is now involved in the technology incubator, Astrolab.
"I developed QuickSense because, despite studying hard as a student, my work was never reflected in the grades I got so my idea was to develop something that enables students to study smarter, not harder," Vivek Kumar says.
"QuickSense is now being trialled in a number of Auckland schools and my dream of having my own business has become a reality."
"It all started with entering iDEAStarter, and now I'm working with experienced mentors to develop my online platform further," he says.
Two entrants can access a range of free online resources to help with their idea, with winners to two age categories (15-18 years and 18-24 years) receiving up to $10,000 in business start-up support.
