Young entrepreneurs get real business advice from industry at Wintec

More than 240 secondary school entrepreneurs from Waikato, King Country, and Thames-Coromandel shared their startup ideas with local business professionals at Wintec this month.

More than 240 secondary school students took part in The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) regional Spark Tank event recently, hosted at The Atrium on Wintec’s City Campus.

Year 12 and 13 students pitched their product and service ideas to business leaders from across a range of industries, gaining real-time coaching and feedback at The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) regional Spark Tank event, hosted at Wintec’s City Campus.

The event is part of a nationwide programme by YES, providing young New Zealanders with experiential opportunities to set up and run their own companies, supporting the development of business-savvy and financially competent professionals.

Alumni of the YES programme have gone on to found notable companies, including My Food Bag, Xero, Kiwibank, Sharesies, and Charlie’s.

Dr Shelley Wilson, Wintec’s Executive Director for Academic Delivery, highlighted the value of the event for the wider Waikato region and Wintec’s key role in supporting it.

“We’re very proud to continue our long-standing support of the Young Enterprise Scheme here in the Waikato.

“At Wintec, we’re all about practical, hands-on learning, working side-by-side with industry and our local communities to support our region.

“Through our sponsorship of events like Spark Tank, we’re able to connect the next generation of Kiwi professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, and innovators with industry, supporting the development of talented, work-ready graduates.”

Dr Shelley Wilson, Wintec’s Executive Director for Academic Delivery, welcomes the Spark Tank attendees.

Students from nine schools attended the workshop, connecting with business mentors from various industries, including agribusiness, accounting, energy, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, recruitment, and technology.

Shelley opened the coaching event by welcoming attendees and highlighting the importance of practical learning.

“Spark Tank is all about learning through doing. It’s about taking an idea, testing it, refining it, pitching it, and learning from the experience.

“Events like this bring together curious minds, bold ideas, and experienced mentors in a way that is fast-paced, energising, and incredibly valuable for everyone involved.

“We are delighted to sponsor Spark Tank again this year.”

Shelley thanked mentors for supporting the event and encouraged students taking part to make the most of their conversations with businesses, to ask plenty of questions, and to be curious and open.

Secondary school students test their product and service ideas with business leaders from different industries at The Atrium, Wintec.

Wintec sponsors YES through Smart Waikato Charitable Trust, the regional coordinator for the programme in the Waikato.