Ara Hua | Idea2Impact 2027

About

AUT Ventures runs an eight-week, cohort-based research commercialisation programme that helps AUT staff, researchers, and students test, validate, and develop research-driven ideas toward startup creation and potential commercialisation funding.

Benefits

• 🚀Eight-week programme
  AUT Ventures runs an intensive eight-week, approximately 30-hour, cohort-based research commercialisation programme.
• 🧭Commercialisation support
  Participants receive coaching, connections, and commercialisation expertise to identify, test, and validate ideas.
• 📊Practical frameworks
  The programme covers intellectual property, market validation, value proposition, revenue models, business structures, and pitch practice with hands-on support.
• 💰Conditional funding pathway
  Participants may potentially qualify for $20,000 in commercialisation funding, and completing the programme may make participants eligible to apply for commercialisation funding subject to qualification.
• 🤝Ecosystem access
  Participants join close-knit cohorts with peer collaboration, mentors, guest speakers, and ecosystem experts.

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory: the stated participant group is AUT staff, researchers, or students, including postgraduate students.
• Mandatory: applicants should have a research project, business idea, or problem they care about and willingness to explore it.
• Preferred: no preferred criteria are publicly stated.
• A polished pitch deck or fully formed company is not required.

Participation Commitments

• Applications for 2027 cohorts are currently open, with dates to be confirmed.
• Participants take part in an eight-week programme of approximately 30 hours.
• Applicants should have a research project, business idea, or problem they care about and willingness to explore its commercial potential.
• A polished pitch deck or fully formed company is not required.
• Interested individuals can apply through the official AUT Ventures page or contact ventures@aut.ac.nz.

Target Sector

Sector agnostic, Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other

Target Location

Geographic eligibility is not publicly stated and should be confirmed before applying.