IDEAStarter: Giving budding young Auckland entrepreneurs a chance

IDEAStater, the competition designed to encourage young Kiwis to get their ideas off the ground, has announced entries for its second annual competition are now open.

As of now, all Aucklanders aged 15-24 who have an idea for a product or service can enter individually or as part of a team via the IDEAStarter website. Budding entrepreneurs can enter for free until May 2nd.

IDEAStarter is sponsored by The Tindall Foundation and delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and Auckland Council's Youth Connections.

According to the creators, the competition backs young people to 'dream, create and do', and gives young Auckland entrepreneurs the chance to get their business idea off the ground.

Help will be available along the way, with free IDEA Generator mentoring sessions to help entrants develop their idea to its full potential and complete their entry. Furthermore, competition judges will award prize packs for the best entries, including iPads and sessions with an expert business mentor to help them grow their entrepreneurial skills.

Along with technology packs and ticket giveaways to Auckland events, applicants have the chance to win entry to the IDEAStarter Awards Evening, access to mentors and networking experiences, and a spot on a youth panel event during Techweek AKL - a week of events that focuses on reshaping our world through design, innovation and technology.

This is the second year that IDEAStarter has been held. One of the inaugural winners, Andrea Reid - who outlined a plan to connect Auckland's parks and reserves together to make 'pollination pathways' - says IDEAStarter "taught me how to take my idea from just an idea to a reality.

Reid's advice to anyone considering entering IDEAStarter is "to just do it… get on with it and make it happen, because if you just sit around waiting for it to happen nothing's ever going to change.

Patrick McVeigh, ATEED general manager business innovation and skills, says that IDEAStarter is a great opportunity for young Aucklanders to help get their business ideas off the ground.

"IDEAStarter is for people who want to dream up an idea, create new ways of doing things, and do something to transform their community. It's a great way for creative, enthusiastic young people from across Auckland to get support to develop their ideas. They'll be able to get support and learn from experts, and potentially turn their ideas - no matter how small or big - into a business of their own," he says.