2024 Smart Seeds programme
Our Smart Seeds programme is making a return to Auckland and Wellington this year, with our Learning Labs commencing in August, and we're excited to announce that registrations of interest are now open.
Smart Seeds is a 6-week design-led innovation programme, empowering the next generation of leaders to collaborate and collectively come up with solutions to some of the immediate challenges facing our communities.
Participants work in diverse teams to interrogate challenges posed by industry leaders and change-makers in our regions. They then harness their creativity to develop innovative ideas, culminating in a pitch of their top solution to a judging panel of industry experts at our Showcase event.
Throughout this experience, teams benefit from mentorship provided by established and growing industry leaders, alongside the guidance of an experienced facilitator, through a series of in-person and virtual learning labs.
But the engagement doesn't stop there. To ensure the success of our programmes, we seek leaders from all backgrounds and levels to participate in various capacities. Whether it's contributing to problem-solving, proposing challenges, mentoring teams, providing valuable feedback or supporting in pitch refinement before the Showcase event, there are ample opportunities for involvement. Further details on these roles are outlined below.
Opportunities to be involved
Participant
A future leader, typically within the first 2 to 7 years of their professional journey, driven by a passion to indorse positive change, harbors a growth mindset and is keen to elevate their career trajectory.
Time commitment: Participants are expected to attend all learning labs, comprising three in-person sessions and one virtual session, each lasting between 2.5 to 4 hours. Participants must allocate extra time for team meetings outside of learning labs, which will vary leading up to the Showcase event. It's important that all participants attend and present alongside their team at the Showcase, which entails a total commitment of 5.5 hours, inclusive of rehearsal, preparation and the presentation itself.
Cost per participant: $2,500
Challenge Developer
As a challenge developer, you'll collaborate with other passionate leaders to offer insights into the pressing issues confronting our communities, regions and industries. These challenges will serve as the focal points for participants to address during the 6-week programme. The objective of this session is to identify two challenges that teams will tackle throughout the programme.
Time commitment: Attend a 1.5-hour breakfast session dedicated to brainstorming and refining the challenges. Challenge Developers are also invited to attend the Showcase event, providing them with the opportunity to hear firsthand the innovative solutions derived from the challenges they helped shape.
Alumni Mentor
A former Smart Seeds participant equipped with firsthand experience and deep insights into the programme, poised to support their designated team alongside an experienced industry mentor.
Time commitment: Approximately 20 hours across the 6-week programme, including attendance to most learning labs alongside their team while attending the Showcase event. Alumni mentors are expected to offer consistent check-ins and support to their team, ensuring steady progress while fostering a supportive environment.
Mentor
An experienced professional skilled at offering both professional expertise and creative direction to their designated Smart Seeds team, working alongside an Alumni Mentor. This individual typically holds prior mentoring experience, enriching their team with valuable insights and guidance.
Time commitment: Approximately 20 hours across the 6-week programme, including attendance to most learning labs alongside their team while attending the Showcase event. Additionally, mentors are expected to offer consistent check-ins and support to their team, ensuring steady progress while fostering a supportive environment.