Startup Dunedin celebrates two decades of student entrepreneurial bloom

Town and gown recently came together at the Otago Business School to celebrate Startup Dunedin’s 20th birthday – and, therein, salute two decades of student entrepreneurship in Ōtepoti.

Founded and funded by the University of Otago, Dunedin City Council and Otago Polytechnic, Startup Dunedin is a fine example of what can happen when two educational institutions and a local council hold hands to create conditions for enterprising minds to flourish.

Professor Maree Thyne, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Commerce and Dean of the Otago Business School, said that over those 20 years, thousands of students had tested ideas, created prototypes, pitched to panels, learnt from failure, and celebrated success.

“Some have started companies; others have taken that entrepreneurial mindset into their careers, communities, and personal projects. Of course, entrepreneurship remains a choice – not every student will start a business. But we also recognise how important it is to embed entrepreneurial thinking throughout education. It’s no longer just an extra-curricular option; it’s a life skill.”

To celebrate its milestone birthday, Startup Dunedin invited some stellar alumni to reflect on their experiences – Anna Guenther (Bachelor of Arts, Master of Entrepreneurship) co-founder of crowdfunding platform PledgeMe; Jason Leong (Bachelor of Arts, Diploma in Business Administration) co-founder of personal finance software business PocketSmith; and Cheeky Iced Hard Tea  co-founders Brendan Yielder and Oli Despatis (Bachelor of Commerce graduates).

In a panel discussion led by Startup Dunedin’s General Manager Rachel Butler, they talked about how their business ideas had been buttressed by the entrepreneurial ecosystem of a city that punches above its weight because of its weight – smallness being its superpower.

Now based in Sydney, Oli said he missed the connectedness of Ōtepoti. When he and Brendan were researching alcoholic iced tea as part of Startup Dunedin’s Audacious programme in 2020, community doors were always wide open.

“The power of being a Dunedin student is that you can pretty much talk to anyone. Brendan and I would go into liquor stores and ask so many questions, and they were always happy to help us because we were Otago University students. I genuinely think that if we’d tried to start this company in any other city it probably wouldn’t have worked as well.”

Brendan, now living in Auckland, recalled the ready advice that helped them perfect their cheeky brew.

“The first recipe we ever made was in my flat. We used an online beverage calculator to make sure that it was 6% and I think we got it wrong. It was horrible. But we realised the University had an incredible Department of Food Sciences, so we knocked on the Head of Department’s door with some questions. She pulled out a marker and drew on a whiteboard to show us exactly how a food production facility would work and the things we needed to think about. I just don’t think we could have done that anywhere else.”

"I genuinely think that if we’d tried to start this company in any other city it probably wouldn’t have worked as well." - Oli Despatis

Having attended school in Dunedin, Anna was well used to the city’s knack for nurturance. But when she was getting PledgeMe up on its feet as part of her Master of Entrepreneurship, she was impressed anew by the availability of mentors and cheerleaders.

“The generosity of spirit of the advisers that came through the University and supported the students and hyped up their ideas – you can’t even put words to how important that is for the start of an idea.”

Now based in the capital, she’s nostalgic for the vibrancy of the Ōtepoti scene.

“Can you send some of that energy up to Wellington please? We really need it.”

Jason has long been on both the receiving and generative end of Dunedin’s robust startup scene and has no plans to leave. After co-founding PocketSmith in 2008, he and others established a non-profit co-workspace called the Distiller, which has since supported 130 pre-seed tech entrepreneurs.

He praised the University for giving them use of a spare office 17 years ago (and not quibbling when they overstayed by a few years).

“There were lots of cool things done in the spirit of entrepreneurship that allowed it to thrive. The Council, Polytech and University really came together to give us a shot and partake of this environment. It set off a chain reaction with other small businesses and startups across the city and made the flourishing ecosystem that we have today. Long may it last.”

It may well outlast the Jason-protected symbol of Dunedin fidelity stuck to the underside of one of PocketSmith’s desks.

“There’s furniture in our office that we bought years ago from the University lecture theatres for $10 a pop. I know the team wants me to get rid of it but I’m like no, this is our history. I’m going to hang onto that desk – and the gum that’s underneath it!”

Kōrero by Claire Finlayson, Communications Adviser (Otago Business School)