Unleashing young entrepreneurs’ futures
AUT and the King’s Trust | He Kākano (KTANZ) have joined forces to deliver an innovative new 10-week pilot course – named the Ara Tipu Start-Up programme - to train and fund entrepreneurial young AUT students.
Ara Tipu provides talented innovators with expert mentoring, hands-on experience and the chance to pitch for up to $10,000 in seed funding.
AUT’s Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Engagement, Amy Malcolm, says “At AUT we are honoured to work alongside KTANZ on the Ara Tipu Start-Up Programme and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.
“As a university of opportunity, innovation, and impact, we are committed to creating real-world pathways for our students. That means supporting entrepreneurship not just as a concept, but as a lived experience — through training, mentoring, collaboration, and connection.
“Ara Tipu has been borne from our partnership with the KTANZ and reflects that commitment. It brings together two organisations that believe in the potential of students and graduates to shape the future. Together, we are building a platform that helps AUT entrepreneurs turn ideas into action, and ambition into impact.”
The bespoke programme has been adapted by AUT with the KTANZ existing Enterprise Programme. The team from AUT Ventures – responsible for translating the university’s research into real-world impact through commercialisation and entrepreneurship opportunities – are also providing content for the programme which sees participants take part in an initial in-person group workshop at AUT.
This is followed by a two-hour online weekly formal learning session, mentoring, in-person masterclasses, and a programme alumni celebration event at the end of each of course.
The King’s Trust CEO, Rod Baxter, says “Young entrepreneurs are reimagining their futures, and this partnership with AUT shows how the university is creating new and exciting opportunity for students.
“As alumni, young people stay connected from ideation to business acceleration, and we offer ongoing and long-term support through funding, masterclasses, and alumni events.”
The King’s Trust was founded by King Charles III in 1976, when he was the Prince of Wales, and is part of a global network of charities supporting young people.
“The Trust has long-standing alumni connections, ensuring AUT students will have access to a powerful network and ongoing guidance.”
Seed funding grants will be available for up to 90 young entrepreneurs over the three cohorts who want totest, launch or accelerate their business ideas, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 from a $60,000 pool per cohort of He Kākano seed funding.
In addition to the inaugural Ara Tipu pilot course currently underway, two more courses will be delivered in 2026. Thirty more participants who are for ready for experiential learning and potential seed funding for their business ideas will be recruited for each course.
KTANZ will deliver the training and where appropriate utilise AUT’s resources, spaces, mentors and specialist staff.
Ara Tipu is a pathway into further growth and commercialisation for their business idea through AUT Ventures, the AUT Innovation Fund, and/or global networks via The King’s Trust.