Enterprise

Challenge

Applications closed for 2026.

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Enterprise

Challenge

Learn to fail. Learn to win.

$50k+ in prizes available.

Our flagship event, the Enterprise Challenge, provides members an opportunity to develop their ideas in depth with the goal of launching a business venture.

Run over nine weeks during semester 2, participants are immersed in workshops and paired with mentors to build their capabilities and skills as they learn the practicalities of starting a business.

The challenge culminates in a shark-tank- style pitch with the ability to win cash and mentor support to accelerate their venture.

Why Enter the Challenge?

Make connections

You’ll get access to industry experts, skilled mentors, and lifelong connections through workshops, individual mentorships and speaker sessions.

Learn from the best

Local business leaders will guide you on your journey, creating a network of resources you’ll carry with you in the future.

Launch your future

Get the tools, knowledge, and connections to take your idea to the next level and transform it into a fully formed business.

Bring your idea to life

With a prize pool of $50k+, participants receive the opportunity to pitch for a share of cash prizes and in-kind services that could be the starting point to accelerating your venture needs.

How to enter

Go ahead, launch your idea, and join us for the Startup Week…

APPLICATIONS OPENING SOON

Selection:
Selection is based on the desirability, viability, and feasibility of your idea.

Alongside, your willingness to commit to the Challenge, and the potential benefits the workshops and mentoring provided through the Enterprise Challenge could provide to you and your venture.

Committing to the Enterprise Challenge

Have you got what it takes?

Unfortunately, we don’t have the resource to support every idea entered in the Enterprise Challenge, but we encourage everyone with an idea to apply!

The entries will be selected through the Startup Week to determine the top 12, based on which show real merit, innovation, and viability. If your idea makes the cut, you’ll be committing to participate in the following:

  • The 1-day kick-off bootcamp

  • One workshop and inspiring speaker session per week

  • A minimum of one hour of mentorship per week

  • Pitching your venture to a panel of judges at the end of the challenge.

In exchange, all 12 teams will get the opportunity to pitch for up to $50,000 in funding and in-kind support at the end of the challenge.

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Frequently asked questions

  • The Enterprise Challenge provides participants with the knowledge, business contacts and financial support to take their innovative ideas to the next level making their business a reality. These things can be incredibly difficult to achieve on your own and through the challenge, Entre makes them easily accessible to you. You will also be given the chance to meet new, like-minded people and create networks which you may never have come across otherwise and at the end of it all, you could possibly have a functioning, profitable business.

  • Entre will always respect and endeavour to protect your IP. We exist to give you a chance to express and develop your IP without losing control of it.

    IP is a complex field and we’ll connect you with IP experts who can guide you as to your IP needs.

    If you are working on an idea that involves technical innovation, that you believe may be patentable, be careful to get IP advice before publicly sharing any technical information about your invention as this can impact your chances of gaining patent protection.

  • The judges, the Entre CEO, and the Start-Up Manager on the Organising Committee. All parties sign legally binding non-disclosure agreements to ensure your idea is protected.

  • Entre follows the University of Canterbury regulations regarding Intellectual Property. Please visit: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about/governance/ucpolicy/general/intellectual-property-policy/Intellectual-Property-Policy.pdf

  • Yes, in order to be eligible for this competition you must be a student at one of these institutions or another tertiary institution in Ōtautahi. Teams may contain students from any of the three institutes.

  • It could be, but no, it doesn’t have to be. Business success can come from any idea. It may be process improvement or a better way of doing something that people have not thought of. It could also be service-based, a not-for-profit charity, or an impactful project based concept. All ideas are fair game.

  • Yes, you can enter as an individual or a team. The workload will be a lot more for individuals, but it is possible. We also recommend no more than 4 people in a team but there is no requirements.

  • Yes, you can enter with as many ideas as you like but you will only be able to work on one idea during the challenge.

    If you have already participated in previous years of the Entre challenge (Start-Up Challenge, 85K Challenge or Enterprise Launch Challenge) you can enter again but only with a new idea.

  • It runs for 9 weeks, excluding the mid-term break.

  • No worries, there is no prior experience required. If you’re ready to commit and put in the work required, we’re here to make sure you learn everything you need to know.

    Throughout the competition, you’ll attend workshops and development sessions and have a knowledgeable mentor on your side. Plus our great Centre for Entrepreneurship staff members here at UC are always keen to answer your questions and provide feedback.