The finalists in this year's spark* - the University of Auckland entrepreneurship challenge - were announced last night.
Among the 10 business proposals selected were using GPS navigation to guide un-manned barges around Pacific Islands, developing a CD-Rom for the non-verbal expression of emotion, an entrepreneurship programme for children, the technology
to create wireless-friendly buildings, and a range of educational resources for teaching biology.
Spark*, a student-led initiative, aims to turn first-class ideas into world-class businesses and is based on competitions at Cambridge University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Head judge Mark Edwards, and international entrepreneur-turned-venture capitalist, said this year's entries applied leading-edge thinking to new technologies.
"The entries this year are more focused towards specific market needs and participants have demonstrated a greater understanding of business plan requirements. The proposals are targeted towards solving current problems in the market and are grounded in reality."
More than 170 participants in 66 teams submitted proposals for the spark* $40K Challenge.
The finalists will receive mentoring and training to help enhance their final business plans.
The winning team, announced in September, will receive $30,000 including time in the university's business incubator, valued at $10,000, to develop their business.
The finalists:
* Bookmate (bookmate.co.nz): A website that links booksellers to book buyers.
* Degrees of Emotion: The production and promotion of a CD-Rom to help non-verbal individuals clearly communicate degrees of emotion and feeling.
* Enzure: A father-and-son venture involving shipping cargo around Pacific Island nations using un-manned barges and GPS navigation.
* Grail Acoustics: Research and realisation of new high-fidelity loudspeaker technology.
* My Kids Biz: Hands-on entrepreneurship programme for children who want to learn how to create and grow wealth.
* Neat Heat: Superior thermal and noise insulation for the building industry.
* Smart Walls: New building materials to create "wireless-friendly" buildings.
* SynCom Wireless: Developing synergistic consumer mobile phone services
* Telemetry Research: Wireless transmission of biological signals using small, unobtrusive devices.
* Virtual Biocell: A virtual 3D model for educators, exploring the inner workings of a cell.
