Ten of the leading ventures emerging from the University of Canterbury’s (UC) Summer Startup Programme will pitch live to a panel of judges and a public audience at an upcoming Christchurch showcase, spotlighting the next generation of student-led innovation. The programme nurtures aspiring UC entrepreneurs by bringing together student curiosity with capability, mentorship and momentum, supporting the launch of ideas with the potential to influence industries and strengthen communities.
A proven launchpad for success
Now in its 13th year, the programme has established a strong reputation as a springboard for successful New Zealand ventures, including well-known brands such as VXT and Kiwifibre. The public showcase at The Piano on 4 February will offer an early glimpse of the next wave of founders poised to help shape New Zealand’s future economic landscape.
From seaweed-based packaging solutions to artificial intelligence and fintech innovations, UC student founders will present a diverse range of impact-driven ventures in front of judges and a live audience at the Christchurch event. Some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most promising student-founded startups will take centre stage as Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury’s Centre for Entrepreneurship (UCE) hosts its 2026 Summer Startup Showcase in February.
Taking place on Wednesday, 4 February at The Piano, the event is open to the public and will feature the top 10 ventures selected from this year’s University of Canterbury Summer Startup Programme. On the night, students will pitch their ideas, ambitions and potential business impact to a judging panel, showcasing both their entrepreneurial skills and the strength of their concepts.
The showcase represents the culmination of UCE’s flagship Summer Startup Programme, an intensive 10-week accelerator designed to help UC students turn ideas into action—whether through commercial ventures, social enterprises or impact-focused startups. This year’s cohort includes 23 participants across 18 ventures, spanning sectors such as sustainable materials, fashion, fintech, education, AI automation, skincare, sports equipment and climate resilience.
The ventures reflect a strong blend of creativity and purpose, featuring innovations such as seaweed-based alternatives to single-use plastics, AI tools to optimise manufacturing floors, a blockchain education platform bridging theory and practice, regenerative tourism models, wildfire suppression technology, and financial literacy tools designed for rangatahi.
Throughout the Summer Startup Programme, students are supported to explore, validate and launch their ventures while developing an entrepreneurial mindset grounded in problem-solving, collaboration and meaningful impact. Over its 13-year history, the programme has built an impressive alumni network, with graduates going on to create successful ventures including Indigo & Iris, VXT, KomodoWellbeing, Kiwifibre, Endosoothe, Teiny, Sterineedle and FROTH.
This year’s participants have also benefited from learning directly from more than 80 guest speakers, facilitators and mentors, ranging from founders and investors to industry leaders, alongside site visits to innovative organisations across New Zealand. “These real-world insights help students test their ideas, sharpen their business models and build confidence as founders,” says Pete Howard, Student Innovation Lead, UC Centre for Entrepreneurship.
Event information
The Summer Startup Showcase is open to the public. Attendees will hear live pitches from the top 10 ventures selected from this year’s cohort, meet the founders, and celebrate the innovation emerging from UC’s student community.
Date: Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Time: 5.30pm–8.30pm
Location: The Piano, 156 Armagh Street, Christchurch
SPONSORED
