Eye-opening experiences on offer for Accelerate participants

Learning about upcycling food was just one of the “eye-opening” experiences on offer for 2024’s Accelerate Programme participants. The group of 21 enthusiastic Business School students spent their second semester working in teams to address various issues confronting Onehunga-based organisation Rescued, a social enterprise tackling the problem of food waste, the climate crisis and food insecurity.

2024 marked the seventh year of the hugely successful Accelerate Programme, which connects high-achieving, community-minded Business School students with Kiwi not-for-profits and charities which, like Rescued, are seeking help in overcoming business challenges. The programme is designed to be mutually beneficial: the charities receive helpful, creative strategies for improvement, while the students – supported by staff and student mentors – gain valuable practical experience in solving real-world business problems.

And that’s not all they gain, observes one of 2024's Accelerate participants. “The programme offers so much more than just the chance to work with a real-world client or practise presentation skills,” she says. “It’s an opportunity to connect with inspiring peers, learn from experienced mentors, and challenge yourself in ways that leave a lasting impact.”

The 2024 programme also offered students valuable insights into the world of sustainable business. Rescued produces tasty, upcycled food and impact ingredients, including Rescued Bread Flour^TM, which is made from surplus bread and replaces traditional flour. “Upcycled food is the first consumer product-based, scalable and economically sustainable solution to food waste,” explains Diane Stanbra, who co-founded the company in 2021 with Royce Bold.

The pair presented the three teams with a brief detailing the key issues confronting Rescued, including raising consumer awareness of the food waste issue, overcoming manufacturers’ resistance to change and addressing the lack of equipment infrastructure and technology in New Zealand. Developing a core strategy for their client was a challenging experience, recalls another participant. “Narrowing down numerous potential ideas to just a couple of focused recommendations required intense discussions and decision-making.” But it was a fulfilling one, too. “Seeing our research and hard work come together in the final strategy was immensely satisfying and rewarding.”

The Accelerate programme’s focus is on supporting the client and encouraging students to become involved with their community, so there is never a “winning” team per se. However, one team’s presentation stood out for Diane and Royce. “They offered an instantly and easily implementable solution and backed their ideas up with financials and measurable KPIs,” explains Diane. “The follow-up from students has also been incredible – they have connected, engaged and shared on LinkedIn.” Plans are now underway to deliver the students’ solution, a clear testament to the value of the experience for Rescued.

It was highly beneficial for the students, too. “The programme taught me that understanding theory is just the beginning—it’s how you tailor it to dynamic, real-world situations that truly matters,” reflects one. “I also learned the importance of resilience and being open to feedback for effective growth and development.” Another participant valued the connections she made, both with the programme’s mentors and with fellow students. “No other opportunities provide the same combination of meaningful work, professional guidance and teamwork.” Unsurprisingly, places in the programme are always highly sought after by students, and the selection process is very competitive.

The willingness of past participants to return to Accelerate as student mentors offers further validation of the programme’s success. “After my invaluable experience as a participant, I was inspired to return and help this year’s cohort,” says one of the 2024 programme's student mentors. “Being a mentor stood out as an opportunity to shift my focus from developing my own critical thinking skills to focusing on bringing out the best in others.” The lessons he took from his own Accelerate experience remain relevant. “Accelerate taught me to challenge the status quo and work backwards from creativity to feasibility when it comes to solving real-world problems.”

The challenge presented by 2024's programme was particularly significant for staff mentor Dr Herbert Sima, for whom sustainability is a key research focus this year. However, his continued commitment to the programme has always extended beyond his own research interests. “I really enjoy participating in something that is so meaningful for the community,” he explains. “Diana really appreciated the value we offered her. We’re so proud to be a part of it.”

Seven years on, it’s clear that the Accelerate Programme continues to exceed expectations – both for the organisations involved and for the students. “The relationships you build and the lessons you learn are invaluable, and the sense of accomplishment at the end of the programme is unparalleled,” enthuses one of the participants. “It wasn’t just about delivering our ideas; it was about showcasing the growth we had all experienced throughout the programme. It’s an experience that pushes you to think bigger and aim higher.”