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What is Audacious?

Audacious is Startup Dunedin’s free student startup programme for anyone at the University of Otago or Otago Polytechnic who’s curious about building something of their own. The programme is a series of workshops dedicated to a different aspect of starting up. Students can learn entrepreneurial skills, get great feedback, gain mentors, and get their awesome ideas off the ground.

Visit the Audacious programme on the Startup Dunedin website

Student Pitch Competition

The Student Pitch Competition occurs at the conclusion of Audacious. Students submit pitches for their startups to win cash prizes!

Student Pitch competition information on Startup Dunedin website

Startup Dunedin

Startup Dunedin is a community hub for anyone building something in Dunedin. They offer free workshops, events and one-on-one coaching.

Visit the Startup Dunedin website

Bachelor of Entrepreneurship

Startup Dunedin's collaboration with the University of Otago goes further than Audacious – Startup Dunedin now teaches a paper as part of the Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr). As part of this collaboration, students are exposed to Dunedin founders building things, and are able to build their networks quickly.

  • Flurescent light sign reading 'Startup Dunedin' on a wall inside a lobby.

    Startup Dunedin began running the Audacious programme in 2007.

  • Alex and Abby standing with a representive of Startup Dunedin.

    Alex Livingstone (middle) and Abby Green (right) started Abalro Health Limited.

  • Josiah Bugden stading with his 3 certificates at the award presentation.

    Josiah Bugden founded CourseSpy, an app for university students.

  • Brendan Yielder and Olivier Despatis holding cans of Cheeky Hard Iced Tea at a beach.

    Olivier Despatis (left) and Brendan Yielder (right) founded Cheeky Hard Iced Tea.

  • Group shot of Audacious students holding their certificates on a flight of stairs.

    Our recent Audacious students after the award ceremony.

Past Audacious and Otago student alumni

Audacious has been running since 2007! Have a look at some of the past Audacious students and what they have created:

Lewis Inder – Flashover
Lewis founded Flashover and won the student pitch competition for Semester 1 2026 for his startup, Flashover.  Lewis is one to watch!
Josiah and Sam Bugden – CourseSpy
Josiah won the Momentum New Zealand Student Entrepreneur of the year at the 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards. Josiah Bugden founded CourseSpy, an all-in-one platform offering course and lecturer reviews, degree planning, entrance score calculators, timetabling, and hall reviews.
Madison Duffy
Audacious provides connections and job opportunities, and Madison Duffy is an example of that. During her time at university she landed roles with The Global Entrepreneurial Network of New Zealand and has since become a trustee of this group. She also worked as an intern with the Angel Association New Zealand. Read article
Abby Green and Alex Livingstone – Abalro Health Limited
Alex Livingstone and Abby Green started Abalro Health as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme and continued to build on it through their time at university. The company’s product is a natural barberry supplement powder imported from Iran and freeze-dried, marketed to help reduce teen acne.
Brendan Yielder and Olivier Despatis – Cheeky Tea Co
Bachelor of Commerce students Brendan Yielder and Olivier Despatis won Audacious Semester 1 with their business, Cheeky Hard Iced Tea. Their products are now available in over 500 liquor stores in New Zealand and Australia.

Founders and funders

The Otago Business School is proud to be an establishing director of Startup Dunedin.

Startup Dunedin and Audacious is founded and funded by:

  • University of Otago
  • Dunedin City Council
  • Otago Polytechnic

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