iDEAStarter: turning fresh ideas into businesses

Vivek Thorman, iDEAStarter 2016 winner, 18–24 age group.

Young Auckland entrepreneurial talent is being fostered with the launch 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 who can either enter as a team, or as an individual.

iDEAStarter is sponsored by the Tindall Foundation and delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).

ATEED General Manager, Business, Innovation and Skills, Patrick McVeigh, says: “iDEAStarter is for young people who want to dream up an idea, create new ways of doing things, and do something towards becoming a millennial entrepreneur.

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.

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.

iDEAStarter entries close on 12 June with winners selected by a team judges and announced on 29 June.

About iDEAStarter

iDEAStarter was first held in 2015. This is the third edition of the competition.
iDEAStarter starter is open to Auckland residents aged between 15–24 years. Entrants under 18 will need written permission from a guardian to enter.
iDEAStarter is designed to complement the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme, which is delivered for mainly year 12 and 13 students across Auckland by ATEED. In that programme, student teams build foundation skills for business by forming their own YES businesses at the start of the school year.
A short video on iDEAStarter 2016 winners is available here
For further information visit www.iDEAStarter.co.nz