On Tuesday, students from the Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago presented winning ideas to an engaged audience at Startup Dunedin’s Student Pitch Competition.
The students topped a list of 35 pitches submitted to Startup Dunedin.
First was Sean Galdeman of Frolic Events, a company serving the running community.
"Running has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.
"Over the years I have taken part in a good handful of events and that is when I realised the problem.
"Most traditional running events feel the same — they are generic, overcrowded, intimidating."
They often lacked a community or social aspect and missed a "creative spark" that delivered excitement beyond the race itself, Mr Galdeman said.
He decided to develop events that were "concept-led, experience-first runs".
Last year, the company ran its first event, Rocky’s Backyard Ultra, an ultramarathon format where runners complete a 6.7km loop every hour until only one runner remains.
"Rockys ticked all the boxes for a Frolic event.
"Over 400 unique stories were created, we built a social following of over 600 engaged runners, with participants capped at only 150."
Next was law and politics student Sofea Haizal, whose business Piller was established while she was in high school to create sustainably made hijabs using end-of-line merino.
Despite worldwide sales, she realised the brand was not reaching its target market.
Using merino was not cheap, so the hijabs became a premium product, which conflicted with Piller’s purpose.
She decided to shelve the business, feeling she could not make a product that was ethical and sustainable.
However, she recently decided to "give it another shot", developing a new approach that uses "leftover fabrics".
On average, 15% of a roll of fabric ends up being dead stock, no matter if it is merino or other fabrics such as cotton, chiffon or silk.
"These fabrics deserve a second chance at life and are usually the perfect length and weight to make a few hijabs with.
"So Piller can still hang on to its value of sustainability, while enhancing the unique value that each fabric will be limited to."
Nicholas McDermott’s company Too Many Discs aims to be an online marketplace that makes buying and selling used discs easier for players.
Disc golf is a booming market, growing at about 17% a year.
Conservative estimates put this year’s disc golf market at $US290 million ($NZ500m), Mr McDermott said.
"Not only is it booming in popularity, there are also four new courses going in every day around the world."
The next pitch was by culinary arts student Emily Gilbert, presenting her potato-based ice cream called Mud.
Her "breakout flavour", chocolate chip crunch, was already selling at Patti's and Cream.
The concept had received national attention.
Next, she was developing potential summer flavours including goody goody gumdrops, tiramisu, pineapple upside-down cake and cherry Garcia.
Last to present was fashion student Yasomali Sandaruwani with her children’s clothing brand Made to Grow, Built to Last.
Her bright designs accommodate fast-growing children, incorporating adaptable features such as ruching for expanding waists, zips, loops and snap buttons, so garments can adjust with changing bodies.
"All these wearable solutions can be worn by a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old as well, with just a simple adjustment of the clothing."
All the students were given awards and presented with cash prizes to help the continued development of their ideas.
