Drive innovation
In this time of intense technological disruption across every industry and sector, ensuring a dynamic culture of innovation is a critical part of any organisation's strategy. New Zealand's startup and innovation community could well be the innovation engine your organisation is looking for. Bring us your industry challenges and we will help you build a programme that will identify solutions to your challenges, spark internal and external engagement, and kickstart the innovation culture your organisation needs for continued relevance and growth into the future. We regularly run challenges for specific sectors such as food and beverage, healthtech, and primary industry. Here are some current and recent examples.
FoodStarter 2021/22
FoodStarter is New Zealand’s food and beverage innovation challenge led by Foodstuffs New Zealand and Ministry of Awesome. It is a national challenge designed to identify and power New Zealand’s most innovative and promising food and beverage start-ups with winners receiving full placement across the entire New World retail network – a quite literally life-changing opportunity.
Key partners include Foodstuffs South Island, Foodstuffs North Island, New World, Strategy Advertising, Socialites Group Limited, Food Innovation Network (FoodSouth and FoodBowl) and PHD.
Orion Energy Accelerator 2021
Orion Energy Accelerator was designed to identify and support startups in the energy sector that will generate effective solutions to real problems in the industry. The accelerator, powered together by Orion Group, Ministry of Awesome and Ara Ake aimed to foster startups’ ground-breaking innovations that can shape the future of New Zealand’s energy sector and power a cleaner and brighter future.
Key partners include: Orion Group Ltd., Ara Ake, Wynn Williams, Ara Institute of Canterbury and EY.
HealthTech Supernode Challenge 2020
The Healthtech Supernode Challenge is a national challenge designed to identify and accelerate healthtech innovation from across New Zealand. The challenge is powered by ChristchurchNZ and KiwiNet and delivered by Ministry of Awesome and the University Centre for Entrepreneurship at UC (University of Canterbury).
The main sponsor for the challenge in 2020 was Ryman Healthcare and strategic partners included Canterbury District Health Board, Via Innovation, Te Papa Hauroa, WNT Ventures, Callaghan Innovation, and NZHIT.
With the programme, we were able to immediately identify a strong pipeline of up and coming sector innovators which in future, will delight our customers.
Steve Anderson, CEO, Foodstuffs South Island.
Need to kickstart innovation in your organisation?
Tell us about your industry challenges and how we can help.