UC Centre for Entrepreneurship

UC Centre for Entrepreneurship At UCE we are growing New Zealand’s next generation of leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Located on the beautiful grounds of the University of Canterbury (UC) campus, the UC Centre of Entrepreneurship (UCE) provides a dedicated, student-focused space where ideas and innovation can flourish. We stimulate the development of entrepreneurs through a combination of research, teaching and community engagement. UCE builds the entrepreneurial capability of staff, students and the wider commun

ity and is cemented as a driving force in New Zealand’s entrepreneurial eco-system. Opening eyes and minds to a world of new ideas and possibilities through entrepreneurial discovery and experimentation, UCE plays a vital role in delivering highly valued and versatile graduates who can meet the market with courage, determination and resourcefulness. UCE offers world-class facilities, academic courses and extra-curricular initiatives that focus on the business of entrepreneurship. By offering a richly diverse range of activities that include coordination of all UC existing and future entrepreneurial initiatives (Innovators and the Hatchery), engaged research and capacity building teaching, UCE enables students to develop the skills and attributes they need to survive and succeed in a word where the pace of change is faster than it’s ever been. UCE is also home to ThincLab Canterbury, a business incubator and accelerator working with scaling enterprises.

"If you have enough courage you'll take on big things. You've got to be a bit crazy and prepared to loose everything""We...
18/12/2025

"If you have enough courage you'll take on big things. You've got to be a bit crazy and prepared to loose everything"

"We had the hypothesis that we could create a better chocolate company that used organic ingredients, that could produce a higher quality product that was better for you and the planet, and that people would buy into it based on stories of origin and quality."

Lucy A. F Bennetto the founder of Bennetto Natural Foods co came and shared with our Summer Startup cohort how she has grown Bennetto from kitchen experiments to a global company that maintains ethics and quality while scaling to over 6 countries around the world.

Thanks Lucy for your support in helping to inspire and ignite our next generation of entrepreneurs and changemakers.

"What game can we play? We can't compete with the large international sports brands, but we can help solve the problems ...
17/12/2025

"What game can we play? We can't compete with the large international sports brands, but we can help solve the problems people experience with pain and injuries... from muscuskeletal conditions, perpheral neuropathy, and muscle spasticity"

Dr Dianne Jones is one of the world leading experts in Wearable technology. She's helped develop wearable tech for some of the biggest brands in the world from Burton, Apple, and Levi's, while Myovolt has been helping elite athletes and people experiencing issues such as back pain recover faster from home.

On Tuesday Dianne came and shared with our Summer Startup cohort her experience of commercialising research into global products, and emphasised the imporatnce of finding your niche.

Thanks Dianne, love the work you do with Myovolt and Startup Aotearoa. We are really grateful for the support you've been providing our Summer Startup cohort as both a speaker and mentor.

Big thanks to for giving us their time! Go checkout their website and buy some epic NZ made garments.
17/12/2025

Big thanks to for giving us their time! Go checkout their website and buy some epic NZ made garments.

Thanks to Yonni Kepes, Ben Kepes, and Omri Kepes for taking the time to open up the factory and the tea room to host our...
17/12/2025

Thanks to Yonni Kepes, Ben Kepes, and Omri Kepes for taking the time to open up the factory and the tea room to host our emerging founders for a fantastic fieldtrip.

Some of the key takeaways from include:

1. True Ventures are Born from Passion
(Not Pitches)
2. The Ultimate Validation Isn't in Your Bank Account
(but in Seeing Your Customers Using and Loving Your Product).
3. The Hardest Thing in Business is Deciding What Not to Do!
(Keep things simple and focused)

A few weeks ago Summer Startup got to tour 's factory on Litchfield Stto gain a first-hand perspective surrounding New Z...
17/12/2025

A few weeks ago Summer Startup got to tour 's factory on Litchfield St

to gain a first-hand perspective surrounding New Zealand manufacturing, product design and development processes, and how to build an enduring business in a challenging market through knowing who you are, codifying your values, and differentiating your value-proposition. In Cactus's case this is all about building hard-wearing garments, for challenging environments, that last a lifetime!

Preeti Rawat is redefining holistic beauty and skin wellness through their venture, Vyra.Inspired by their own experienc...
16/12/2025

Preeti Rawat is redefining holistic beauty and skin wellness through their venture, Vyra.

Inspired by their own experiences with sensitive and acne-prone skin, Samrath and Preeti set out to simplify the overwhelming world of multi-step routines. Vyra merges modern science with Ayurvedic wisdom to create a single, drinkable supplement that nourishes the skin from within. Each sachet supports skin, hair, and nail health while strengthening the body’s natural resilience against inflammation and UV damage.

Rooted in holistic wellbeing and self-confidence, Vyra’s mission is to make radiant, healthy skin both effortless and sustainable. The result is more than skincare it’s self-care reimagined, empowering people to glow naturally, confidently, and fearlessly in their own skin.

We are excited to support Samrath and Preeti through the UC Summer Startup Programme as they continue refining their formulation and gathering insights from skincare experts, wellness practitioners, and consumers.

If you’re involved in skincare science, nutraceuticals, wellness, or Ayurvedic formulations and are open to sharing your experience, please feel free to reach out.

Huge thanks to the University of Canterbury and UC Business School for making Summer Startup possible.

Rore Morgan is reshaping how young people across New Zealand learn about money through his venture, Savvy Spenders.Savvy...
15/12/2025

Rore Morgan is reshaping how young people across New Zealand learn about money through his venture, Savvy Spenders.

Savvy Spenders creates interactive card and board games that make financial literacy engaging, accessible, and genuinely fun. Through gameplay, students explore budgeting, saving, investing, spending, and real-life money decisions in a way that feels practical and relatable not overwhelming or abstract.

Founded in 2023, the venture is already being trialled in schools around New Zealand, with resources available in both English and Te Reo Māori. An online learning platform is also in development, expanding the reach and impact of these hands-on tools.

Rore's vision is to empower rangatahi with confidence, capability, and lifelong financial skills setting them up for smarter choices and stronger futures.
We are excited to support Rore through the UC Summer Startup Programme as she continues growing Savvy Spenders and gathering insights from educators, students, and financial education leaders.

If you’re involved in education, financial capability, game design, or youth development and are open to sharing your experience, please feel free to reach out.

Huge thanks to the University of Canterbury and UC Business School for making Summer Startup possible.

Jack Pike is improving athlete comfort and performance on the water through his venture, RowBetr.RowBetr is developing a...
14/12/2025

Jack Pike is improving athlete comfort and performance on the water through his venture, RowBetr.

RowBetr is developing a comfortable, lightweight, and highly functional solution to one of rowing’s most persistent challenges: the seat pad. By rethinking this essential piece of equipment, the venture aims to help rowers train harder, row longer, and get more out of every session without the discomfort that often limits performance.

Built with a deep understanding of the sport and the daily realities rowers face, RowBetr focuses on ergonomics, durability, and practicality, empowering athletes to stay focused on technique, speed, and results.

We are excited to support Jack through the UC Summer Startup Programme as he continues refining prototypes and gathering insights from rowers, coaches, and sport performance specialists.

If you’re involved in rowing, sports technology, athletic performance, or product design and are open to sharing your experience, please feel free to reach out.

Huge thanks to the University of Canterbury and UC Business School for making Summer Startup possible.

Rosaria Pitt is redefining modern self-care and skin wellness through her venture, Ready Ritual.Today’s lifestyles expos...
09/12/2025

Rosaria Pitt is redefining modern self-care and skin wellness through her venture, Ready Ritual.

Today’s lifestyles expose our skin to constant stress shifting temperatures, pollution, and environmental pressures that weaken the barrier and accelerate aging. Ready Ritual responds by merging thermotherapy science with luxury cosmetic formulation, creating a skincare experience inspired by sauna and cold-plunge culture.

The Ready Ritual duo features a warming gua sha solid serum bar and a cooling hydrogel cube moisturiser. Together, they deliver a revitalising thermal “shock” effect designed to boost circulation, support collagen production, encourage repair, and reduce inflammation and fine lines. Crafted with eco-conscious materials and bold, modern branding, the system transforms professional spa techniques into an indulgent, accessible daily ritual.

Beyond glowing skin, the venture aims to empower people with a deeper understanding of thermotherapy’s benefits helping users build confidence, strengthen their skin, and improve overall well-being through a sensory, results-driven routine.

We are excited to support Rosaria through the UC Summer Startup Programme as she continues refining her formulations and gathering insights from skincare experts, wellness practitioners, and product designers.

If you’re involved in skincare science, cosmetic formulation, wellness, or beauty product development and are open to sharing your experience, please feel free to reach out.

Huge thanks to the University of Canterbury and UC Business School for making Summer Startup possible.

On Thursday last week our emerging founders in Summer Startup each got to spend 15 minutes being challenged and gaining ...
05/12/2025

On Thursday last week our emerging founders in Summer Startup each got to spend 15 minutes being challenged and gaining insights and advice from our fanatastic speed mentors.

A huge thank you to:
Alexander Brem, Andy Blackburn, Crispin Dye, Dr Dianne Jones, Michael K Durie, Max Ferguson, Paul Sapsford, Pete Glasson, and Sam Park.

Our participants have rated their experience of meeting with you a solid 10/10, which speaks to the value you all helped bring to their thinking and to their venture ideas.

Thanks for stepping into the ring and for taking on the challenge, for asking questions, and for providing as much value as you can in 6x 15min rounds of speed mentoring.

"You've got to do the simple things well! Your competitive advantage can be based on just doing the basics well... Pay a...
05/12/2025

"You've got to do the simple things well! Your competitive advantage can be based on just doing the basics well...
Pay attention to the details, know your customer journey, the details matter!"

Thanks to Geoff Angus, director of 27seconds, Hope Funeral Services, and ex-director of Trade Aid New Zealand for coming and supporting our Summer Startup cohort on Tuesday.

Geoff is a purpose-driven director behind a host of social enterprises in New Zealand. Geoff reinforced the importance of 'knowing what game you are in' from Simon Sinek's Infinite game and how you build customers percieved value and the art of managing expectations.

Thanks Geoff, we really value your support in helping to ignite the next generation of entrepreneurs and changemakers!

Address

Christchurch

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+6433693403

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UC Centre for Entrepreneurship posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category