HAMILTON

through their tutors, the third year students registered with the intention to take away
fundamental tools for building a business. The team is considering launching their
business in Hamilton, and later exploring options for expansion.
The Gallagher ‘Craziest Idea That Might Just Work’ Award went to Team Stratcom for
Five years in, and Wintec Innes48 is now the largest 48 hour business startup
competition in New Zealand. The competition runs over one action packed weekend
which encourages teams to execute rapidly. It provides participants with tools,
frameworks and networks to help turn their ideas into businesses in just 48hours.
their idea, New Air.
New Air is a portable and easy-to-use breathing product for people in smog-filled cities
that instantly improves air quality. The product provides a portable breath of fresh New
Zealand air and enables a temporary solution for people in toxic atmospheres.
“As soon as Rhandal pitched the idea of selling air, we knew this was it. It was crazy
and we do crazy.” Wrote Stratcom Team Member Deanna Morse in her recent blog about
Wintec innes48.
The SODA ‘Best Pitch’ Award was won by Team Girl’s Power, creators of Step by Step, a
specialist wedding planning service that aims to fly Chinese couples to New Zealand for
a unique kiwi wedding.
affordable, creative, hamilton based
graphic design
XRAYCOMMUNICATIONS
www.xray.net.nz
Wintec Innes48 2016 saw even more diversity in innovation, culture, age, gender, and
expertise than in previous years. For the 20 experienced mentors that dedicated their
time and knowledge to help the teams, the increase in diversity was refreshing. Mentors
said the teams presented challenging cases, some confronting, and others totally out of
the box.
The high calibre judges included Chip Dawson, Melissa Clark-Reynolds, Graham
Gaylard, and Robett Hollis. The Judges deliberated and reviewed 15 team submissions
in under three hours. The submissions included excecutive summaries, business models,
and financial plans. The judges then decided on the top 6 teams to pitch at the Wintec
Innes48 Closing Ceremony.
The judges were looking for how well the teams detailed
the viability of their business, if they had an innovative
approach to a customer’s problem, sustainable revenue
streams, and evidence of market validation.
Head Judge Graham Gaylard shared some valuable
pieces of advice to teams at the Closing Ceremony.
“Focus on the customer and the problem you are solving,
and remember to keep the essence of innnovation alive”
said Gaylard.
The Opening and Closing Ceremonies were well attended
by over 300 guests where they heard from world-class
speakers including Yoseph Ayele of KiwiConnect, Tim Alpe,
Cofounder of The Jucy Group, and the youngest speaker,
Ayla Hutchinson, Inventor of the Kindling Cracker.
The event could not have taken place without the
support and backing of sponsors such as Platinum
sponsor Waikato Institute of Technology and Gold sponsor
Gallagher, plus many more cash and in-kind sponsors.
“Wintec recognises the importance of new ideas,
business innovation and entrepreneurship, and the value it
has in strengthening New Zealand’s social and economic
growth, which is why we took the major sponsorship
role this year.” Wintec’s director, products and planning,
Warwick Pitts.