In collaboration with Polson Higgs, an advocate for all things starting-up
We’re really proud of the way that Ōtepoti, Dunedin has blossomed into a thriving hub for all things entrepreneurial and startups (for more on that, make sure you have a read of our previous blog!), as well as impactful community and creative arts projects. Here’s a roundup of some of the entrepreneurial programmes and awards you might not be as familiar with.
1. Your local art scene has the key
As the city's startup ecosystem’s favourite words are probably “creativity and innovation”, your involvement in the art scene can provide fresh perspectives and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs. Dunedin is well established for starting up in fashion.
Image from idfashion.co.nz
Dunedin's iconic I.D fashion event reflects that quintessentially Dunedin blend of artistic expression and business acumen.
The Polson Higgs Entrepreneur in Design Award supports those up-and-coming in the fashion industry, and you can get front-row seats for the freshest new fashion businesses to hit the city. Keep an eye out for Luni, a fashion startup currently working with us, too!
2. Engage with Startup Dunedin's Audacious Showcase
Startup Dunedin now hosts the Audacious Showcase annually, providing emerging startups with a stage to pitch their ideas for prize money, and showcase the students behind all the hard mahi. Audacious is a free programme for Otago tertiary students with startup ambitions, new ideas, or even just entrepreneurial daydreams - read more about it here.
Each workshop is dedicated to a different aspect of setting up a business or not-for-profit, and students can perfect their idea, get great feedback, and go on to pitch for cash and prizes.
The Polson Higgs Premiere award recognises the best business case in the Audacious cohort, and awards $3,000 in seed money to get things off the ground. Past winners include Abalro Health, Cheeky Hard Iced Tea, and Wayfinder.
We reckon that the next big idea is likely to come from the mind of a student. By backing the Audacious Showcase, you are participating in the growth of promising startups and contributing to Dunedin's reputation as a hotbed for entrepreneurial talent!
What more could you want?
3. The next big idea could come from a student
Here's another award you might not know about that contributes to Dunedin's thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem - The Polson Higgs Innovation Competition. In collaboration with NZ Young Farmers, this competition celebrates the innovation and creativity of young people in the rural community, aiming to motivate and inspire the next generation of farmers and agricultural professionals towards successful and sustainable futures.
Year 12 & 13 Secondary Students and NZYF members from Otago and Southland are invited to compete by addressing a current issue within the agriculture industry. The selected top entries get a chance to present their ideas to a panel of industry professionals, with winners sharing a prize pool of $2,500! By supporting this young talent and encouraging novel solutions, this award further enhances Dunedin's reputation as a hotbed for entrepreneurial brilliance and ingenuity in diverse fields like agritech and beyond.
Remember - you can stay connected and get involved in our ecosystem by signing up for our newsletter and checking our events page. You can also contact us at hello@startupdunedin.nz, or reach out for a free meeting if you've got a new idea you'd like to explore.