Three OP students win Audacious startup prizes

A big congrats to Chaise Benson, Sonia Evers, and Janiqua McCarthy who have won awards at the recent Audacious Student Startup Showcase.

Six winners were picked from the 72 (!!) start up entries from all areas of study at Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago. 

For the first time, the Audacious Showcase included a demo day, where Audacious students and a variety of entrepreneurs from around Dunedin were able to set up stalls to engage with the public and connect with potential customers.

Students used this as a chance to gather feedback, kickstart their networks, and to present their ideas to the wider community. 

And then came the awards night…

If you missed the action and want to check it out, you can watch it all here. 

All of our Audacious students did us proud with their innovation, creativity, and hard mahi! And we’re stoked to shine the spotlight on our three Otago Polytechnic winners.

Chaise Benson 
Prize: Commitment to Education Award - $250 

Currently studying game design communications, Chaise is the brainchild behind Rising Chaos Studios. Their mahi focuses on developing a games studio that underlines inclusivity and provides a narrative spotlight for LGBTQIA+ groups, disabled folks, and under-represented or marginalised communities, who don’t often see themselves in the traditional table-top gaming space. 

Well done Chaise! 

Sonia Evers 
Commitment to Education Award - $250 
Best Market Opportunity - $500 

Sonia is studying Massage Therapy alongside starting up her business, Range of Motion, which is focused on improving mobility and recovery through targeted massage therapy. And, they also offer canine massage! 

Well done Sonia!

Janiqua McCarthy 
Best in Sustainability - $1,000 
People’s Choice (Best Booth/Stall) - $250 

Janiqua, currently studying Product Design, brought us Shitbrix! An alternative to firewood made from horse poo. This has serious potential to reduce waste, as well as being much easier to use, stack, and carry than traditional firewood. 

Well done Janiqua!

Read more about all the fab winners here >