Our Story
Velocity is the University of Auckland’s student-led, globally renowned entrepreneurship development programme.
We are about giving momentum to great ideas, to surge ahead and innovate the future.
Velocity launched in 2003 and is based at the University of Auckland in the Business School. Past Velocity participants have gone on to create world-changing ventures. Over the past 19 years, Velocity participants have ignited more than 276 ventures, attracted over $1.39 billion in investment and have created more than 3260 jobs with products and services in over 35 countries.
Velocity involves a year-long schedule of talks, workshops, events and challenges. Throughout the programme participants receive mentorship from industry-leaders and are given the inspiration and knowledge needed to launch. The culmination of the year is the Velocity $100k challenge competition with the opportunity to win a share of a prize pool valued at over $100,000!
Dealing with ambiguity, working in teams, creative problem solving, global views and confidence are the foundation of an entrepreneurial mindset. We also believe they are capabilities needed to thrive in this new world of work, whether a person decides to work in a large global corporate or an emerging start-up. Our goal is to enhance skills which we know will future proof careers and enable people to better navigate their way in an increasingly complex and changing world.
Join Velocity to build a venture idea, your career potential and your networks!
Testimonials
Ninna Granucci
Chief Scientific Officer and Co-founder of Green Spot Technologies.
“We were put in contact with investors and advisors that made a big difference for Green Spot Technologies. We had no real experience in business at that point but Velocity gave us all the support we needed.”
Green Spot convert fruit and vegetable by-products into alternative flours such as Apple Flour and Sauvignon Blanc flour. Their products are high protein, high fibre, low calorie, gluten-free functional flours rich in vitamins, minerals and natural antioxidants. Since participating in Velocity the company are now operational in France.
Wei Heng Pok
Bachelor of Commerce
“If you had asked me 5 years ago if I saw myself in the entrepreneurship space, my risk-averse self would have said that was impossible. Well, I’ve now erased it off the ‘Impossible List’.
Never have I been placed in a more supportive, yet challenging environment and I would like to thank the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for providing students with the resources to create impact. The skills I have learnt in such a short time will add value for years to come. Entrepreneurship is not a business model, it is a mindset, only waiting to be unleashed.”