Entrepreneurs venture up at Victoria

A group of young people from around the country will gather at Victoria University of Wellington in January for a programme of learning, mentorship and business growth.

Twenty-nine promising entrepreneurs and graduates of The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme will take part in the inaugural Venture Up programme, which starts on 12 January and runs for six weeks.

A number of current and prospective Victoria University students, including second year Bachelor of Commerce student Steph Bensemen, are taking part in the entrepreneur accelerator programme. 

Steph will be working on her idea to develop a student loan repayment scheme that involves volunteer work and business sponsorship.

Venture Up appealed to Steph because of the mentors involved and the resources available. “I hope to gain a good business team and the skills needed to achieve the goals I have set for my idea,” she says.

There are a number of high-profile mentors lined up to guide participants through the programme, including Victoria graduates Tim Bennett, Chief Executive  of NZX; Rachel Taulelei, founder of Yellow Brick Road; and Rowan Simpson, a development team member and angel investor of Trade Me.

Victoria’s School of Design is hosting participants at the Te Aro Campus, and the University’s Boulcott Hall is providing accommodation.

Margaret Petty, Head of the School of Design, says Victoria is excited to be hosting Venture Up and to be contributing to the development of New Zealand’s next generation of entrepreneurs. 

“This is exactly what a great 21st century global-civic University should be doing and demonstrates Victoria’s key role in fostering creative thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship in New Zealand.”

Nick Churchouse, Venture Up programme director, says basing the programme at the University is “a huge support for the talented young people who are part of this accelerator programme, and an investment in seeing more world-class talent coming out of Wellington”.

The Venture Up showcase event will be held in central Wellington on Wednesday 18 February 2015.

For more information visit www.ventureup.co.nz