The Audacious Challenge Awards, Semester2, 2017

By Thomas Weidling | Posted: Sunday October 15, 2017

Semester 2 of the Audacious Challenge ran July - September and comprised business workshops and Business Coaching sessions, concluding with the students pitching to a Dragon’s Den. The Audacious Challenge Awards Evening brought together Dunedin's business and academic community and the student cohort.

Speakers on the evening included those who have been strong advocates of Dunedin startup enterprises, and supporters of the students. Guests heard from :

- Barbara Bridger, Chief Executive of Otago Community Trust whose organisation is providing investment funding for three Audacious businesses to continue to grow their business

- Bill Munro, Solicitor at WebbFarry, who presented a sponsorship package to Mikade Barns Graham of Food Mate

- Paul Twemlow from Firebrand presented third overall prize to Andrew Martin, Dotted Line

Special Awards were presented by Jono Aldridge (Otago Polytechnic), David Frame (Craigs Partners), Emily Lucas (Otago University Careers Centre) , Steve Silvey (Powerhouse), Dean of the Otago Business School, Professor Robin Gould, and Andrew Whiley (Dunedin City Council).

Best pitch winner: Andrew Martin

Best Pitch second equal: Mikade Barnes Graham

Best Pitch second equal: Connor McNamara- Spackman

Each of the Best Pitch Winners received a $100 voucher from Southern Colour Print.

Special Awards Winners received a $50 voucher from the University Book Shop:

-Most passionate Presentation: Mikade Barnes Graham

-Longest and most enthusiastically presented pitch: Warkina Tujuba

-Best Tom Cruise impersonations: Alex Wiltshire, Arthur Ibbotson and Andrew Benington

-Most depth of knowledge on the subject presented; Nicolas Zawadzki

A big Thank You to everybody that came to this celebration of student success.