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Summer Startup Alumni

12 June 2025
HOW TO APPLY

Jade Luxton

Sterineedle- Summer Startup 2024/25

At Teiny, we believe that we can make true impact in the world with your help. We're combining the nutrition of dairy with the sustainability of plant-based milk to create a protein-rich oat milk powder, perfect for health-conscious consumers. We're on a mission to redefine the milk industry in Aotearoa, addressing environmental concerns, nutritional values, and packaging waste, while delivering a delicious taste and texture experience. Choosing Teiny means choosing a sustainable future for your health and the planet.

The name Teiny, pronounced "Teeny" is a fun play on the spelling of protein, paired with our desire to make a smaller impact on our environment. Founders Emma and Renee, lifelong friends, bring personal passion to the business. Emma’s health challenges and Renee’s commitment to vegetarianism have shown them the importance of essential nutrients and sustainability.

Emmalee Abbott Joe

FROTH - Summer Startup 2024/25

At Teiny, we believe that we can make true impact in the world with your help. We're combining the nutrition of dairy with the sustainability of plant-based milk to create a protein-rich oat milk powder, perfect for health-conscious consumers. We're on a mission to redefine the milk industry in Aotearoa, addressing environmental concerns, nutritional values, and packaging waste, while delivering a delicious taste and texture experience. Choosing Teiny means choosing a sustainable future for your health and the planet.

The name Teiny, pronounced "Teeny" is a fun play on the spelling of protein, paired with our desire to make a smaller impact on our environment. Founders Emma and Renee, lifelong friends, bring personal passion to the business. Emma’s health challenges and Renee’s commitment to vegetarianism have shown them the importance of essential nutrients and sustainability.

Emma Arvidson & Renee Tauwhare

Teiny - Summer Startup 2023/24

At Teiny, we believe that we can make true impact in the world with your help. We're combining the nutrition of dairy with the sustainability of plant-based milk to create a protein-rich oat milk powder, perfect for health-conscious consumers. We're on a mission to redefine the milk industry in Aotearoa, addressing environmental concerns, nutritional values, and packaging waste, while delivering a delicious taste and texture experience. Choosing Teiny means choosing a sustainable future for your health and the planet.

The name Teiny, pronounced "Teeny" is a fun play on the spelling of protein, paired with our desire to make a smaller impact on our environment. Founders Emma and Renee, lifelong friends, bring personal passion to the business. Emma’s health challenges and Renee’s commitment to vegetarianism have shown them the importance of essential nutrients and sustainability.

Acomplishments

Friends and family raise - $250,000

Kiwinet Momentum Student Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 (Read about it here)


Monique Lau

Endosoothe - Summer Startup 2022/23

For seven years, doctors told me to “just suck it up”. That heavy periods, unbearable cramps, and nausea were just some of the many problems that women had to endure. That it was normal.

And so, I trudged through countless pain relief and hormonal medications, but was only met with additional health problems and side effects. It wasn't until I turned 21 that I was diagnosed with endometriosis and received a surgical laparoscopy. I was frustrated.

Through my pain and experiences, I created Endosoothe. A brand born from a simple yet resounding mission, to empower and educate. Together, we are redefining menstrual care, one step at a time through products that are inclusive and informative. Because no one deserves to go through what I went through — period.

Acomplishments

Kiwinet Momentum Student Entrepreneur of the Year 2023


Jack Carrick & Tom McGuinness

Nailed It Nutrition - Summer Startup 2022/23

It all began with an idea in the gym, where Tom, Jack, and Tom found themselves immersed in a discussion about the persistent issues they faced with Whey protein, notably its impact on their skin and stomach. The available alternative, plant protein powder, presented its own set of challenges, notably an unappealing chalky and grainy texture that made it a reluctant daily drink.

"Surely we aren't the only ones," they said. And indeed, they weren’t. Many others were on a constant hunt for a good tasting plant protein. This shared struggle sparked a determination in them to create a revolutionary change in the plant protein world. Their vision was clear: formulate a delicious, effective, and nourishing plant protein powder that catered to people from all walks of life.

The journey was far from smooth. Balancing University with the demands of starting a business was a tough job. Long nights, endless research, and countless hours of brainstorming became a ritual. From the help of expert food technologists, they tested potential formulas for a long time. Feedback from potential customers of various ages and genders was gained over this time which was very valuable, ensuring the product was loved as much by others as it was by them. The feedback was common for both flavours: they had Nailed It.

So, 2 years later.... with recipes perfected and confidence in their stride, they were ready to introduce their creations to the world.

Join us on our journey, as we have more exciting products coming.


Alli Kennedy

Sharnanigans - Summer Startup 2021/22

Alli’s journey of creating Sharenanigans began based on her own personal experiences. She wasn't taught about investing in school or by her parents. By the time she was introduced to investing, she had created perceived barriers leading her to believe she didn’t fit the ‘mould’ of who you need to be to invest.

Alli quickly realised too many others were in the same boat. The game provides an engaging way for families to learn about investing together, making it accessible and fun for all. 

While at the University of Canterbury, Alli began working on the concept. Originally starting as an app, Sharenanigans quickly shifted to a board game format for great family collaboration, faster development and greater creative control.

This decision proved crucial, allowing for rapid prototyping and iteration, along with a much greater attractiveness to families. The result is a game that brings family and friends together, to highlight key investment principles through play, encouraging players to make smart financial decisions based on market conditions and goals.

Partnering with Pete and Clive from Be Better Group and owners of Antony and Mates, Allis’s drawings on cardboard were turned into a game that looked as fun as it is to play. 

Sharenanigans is now ready to become the game for future generations, in households across NZ and Beyond.


Ben Scales & William Murray

Kiwifibre - Summer Startup 2020/21

We can learn a lot from nature; scale, strength and harmony.

That's why KiwiFibre is Reinforced by Nature.

KiwiFibre was established in 2020 as a result of a university group project that will never finish. Founders William and Ben met at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, with a mutual interest in designing and making things. Frustrated with fibreglass and inspired by the strength of nature from their childhoods building treehouses, they set out to blend nature and engineering to solve significant problems the world is facing. As they gained a deeper understanding of the human, technical and environmental problems of the composites industry, the idea of using natural fibres in composite applications was a no brainer.

KiwiFibre was born, out of a love for creating things, and a desire to solve problems for Aotearoa New Zealand and the world.


Luke Campbell & Lucy Turner

VXT - Summer Startup 2019/20

VXT started in 2018 when two University of Canterbury students, Luke Campbell and Lucy Turner, set out to make communication easier for professionals and organisations alike.

Today, VXT is all about helping businesses save time and reduce hassle with our phone system and contact management tools. We’re a young, driven team passionate about making communication simpler and more effective for everyone. We’re just getting started, and we’re excited to keep growing with you.


Ron Park

Kōrure - Summer Startup 2018/19

Kōrure’s founder, Ron has been a health food enthusiast as long as he could remember. His mother has been a big believer in “What you put in is what you get out” and encouraged him and his family to lead a healthy diet.

The day Ron learnt the fact that 90% of fish population are unsustainably fished, he began his search for alternative source for fish. Also, as a big fan of fish oil and omega-3 supplements, he sought to find an alternative source for fish oil supplements. 

This is when he discovered green lipped mussel oil. He now calls mussel oil, 'fish oil on steroids'.


Jack Wood & Chris Bacon

Komodo Wellbeing - Summer Startup 2018/19

At Komodo, we’re on a mission that we’re pretty honoured to have. We work with the most inspiring schools across the globe to enable them with a wellbeing-first approach.

All the work we do on a daily basis contributes to the wellbeing of students - whether it be the code we write, the customer support we provide or the psychology we embed within our product, it all goes toward impacting the lives of young students.

In some instances it prevents a child from being bullied, in others it highlights someone in need of academic support. Overall, our work aims to help schools become a safer, happier place for all.

By ensuring all schools worldwide have access and love for our product, we allow our team the ability to help shape and support the next generation.

The same mission and drive we have for our product is mirrored in how we operate our day-to-day for our people: we are a people-first organisation that focuses on allowing our employees to become the healthiest and happiest version of themselves they can be.


Oliver Hunt

Medsalv - Summer Startup 2017/18

Born with the single purpose of making healthcare more sustainable; we’re helping the health system care for the planet as well as the people on it.

We’ve remained relentless in our pursuit as we continue to tackle the escalating environmental and financial waste generated in the health sector.

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