Grand Ideas - $5k challenge.

Have you got a great idea that could change the world? You could win seed funding to help make it a reality. 

The Grand Ideas competition is for Massey University students, distance students, and faculty/staff who have a great idea for a commercial or social enterprise. All ideas are welcome; no business plan required.

Three steps to win a $5K grant:

  1. Submit - submit your idea online

  2. Qualify - 10 ideas are selected to pitch at the Finals

  3. Pitch - 10 ideas will be pitched, but only 3 will win a $5k grant

Key dates

  • 27 July 2020: Applications open

  • 23 August 2020: Applications close

  • 26 August 2020: Finalists announced

  • 2 September 2020: Finals

FAQ

What do I have to do?
Explain your idea using the online entry form. You may enter as individuals or in teams, but all contestants must be a current Massey University student or faculty member. You may enter more than one idea.

Judging process and prizes
The 10 most innovative ideas will progress to the Finals where you’ll have 5 minutes to pitch your idea to the judges. The top 3 ideas, as selected by judges, will each win $5K worth of seed funding to help turn their idea into reality.

What are judges looking for?
Judges will assess applications on the following criteria:

  • Originality and innovation of the idea

  • Feasibility of the idea

  • Impact the idea will have on the target market/community

Who is eligible to enter?
Undergraduate and post graduate students, distance students, and faculty/staff of Massey University are all eligible and strongly encouraged to participate.

How can I be assured that my idea is safe?
The Grand Idea competition honours the confidentiality of all ideas. Submissions will not be released or copied for any purposes other than use in the Grand Idea competition. The judges also recognise the confidentiality of the materials being presented.

How does the seed funding work?

A graduated funding model means that ideas pass through a set of agreed milestones to access the funding. If an idea reaches a milestone, it gets additional funding and a new set of goals are set.

Terms and conditions

  • Three prizes of $5000 graduated funding will be awarded to the three most innovative ideas as chosen by the judging panel at the Finals event.

  • No correspondence will be entered into and the panel decision is final.

  • The prize money is to be spent on progressing the idea and the winners will be expected to propose how they intend to spend the money to further develop their concept.

  • The winners are responsible for ensuring they comply with any tax issues resulting from the prize.

  • The ecentre Limited is not liable for any actions taken by the business.

  • The ecentre reserves the right to publicise non confidential information about the winning business for the purposes of its PR.