AI-powered builder’s tool takes top prize in Grand Ideas competition

More than 50 entries were submitted in this semester’s competition, with finalists pitching their concepts to a judging panel for a share of the $9,000 prize pool supported by Massey Enterprise.

First place – Tane Waldin

Auckland-based undergraduate student Tane Waldin took out first place and a $5,000 prize for BuildCentre, an AI-powered app designed to help builders quickly identify compliant fixing requirements.

The platform allows users to enter site conditions such as wind zone or structural details and receive installation guidance and code references within seconds, helping reduce delays and uncertainty on construction sites.

Tane says the idea came from his experience working on residential construction sites, where builders can spend significant time searching technical documents for relatively straightforward information.

“Myself and two co-workers found ourselves spending around 20 minutes trying to figure out the right mechanical fixings for a standard window opening. We realised how unnecessarily difficult it was to find the right installation process for building products in general.

“At the moment, builders often have to search through hundreds of pages across multiple PDF documents to find the correct installation process for a single product. I wanted to create a solution, an interactive encyclopaedia for building products and their installation processes. I’m aiming to bridge the gap between technical data and the builders installing the products.”

Tane says winning the competition has strengthened his confidence in the idea’s potential.

“I’m thankful the judges can see the value in what I’m building.”

Second place – Dr Mike Sleeman

Senior Lecturer Dr Mike Sleeman from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences received second place and $2,500 for Impact Hub, Mahi Tahi Aroturuki, a platform designed to support collaboration between educators, whānau and professionals working with children who require specialised support.

The platform supports collaborative goal-setting, helps identify evidence-based practices and enables users to monitor progress while protecting privacy through controlled case access.

Dr Sleeman says the recognition highlights the importance of creating better systems of support for children requiring specialised assistance.

“It’s a real honour to receive this recognition. It affirms the importance of this work and the need for better tools to support collaboration around children requiring specialised support.

“The Impact Hub is a research-based response to the challenges educators, whānau and professionals face when supporting children with additional needs. These challenges can include collaboration, goal setting, identifying evidence-based practices and monitoring progress.

“The funding provides an opportunity to further develop the Impact Hub through research alongside educators, whānau and professionals, ensuring the tool is both evidence-informed and grounded in real-world practice.”

Campus Co-Lab National Coordinator and competition judge Amy Atkins says the platform stood out for the difference it could make for families.

“The majority of the judging panel felt this platform could really transform the level of transparency between teachers and parents of children with disabilities.”

Third place – Emma Stewart, Eden Miller and Samantha Leaman

Third place and $1,500 went to Food Technology students Emma Stewart, Eden Miller and Samantha Leaman from the Manawatū campus for The Recover Roll, a high-protein fruit roll-up designed to deliver both nutrition and flavour.

The trio developed the product after identifying frustrations with existing high-protein snacks, which often fail to meet expectations around taste and texture.

“As part of our Food Technology honours year capstone project, we identified a problem that many consumers, as well as ourselves, were having with the high-protein market. Current products just aren’t living up to flavour and texture expectations.

“We wanted to create something fun because making health-conscious choices should still allow for enjoyable food.”

The team says placing in the competition will help them take the product to the next stage.

“We are so grateful to have placed in the Grand Ideas competition as it will provide further funding to progress market validation trials of the product. We are beginning our start-up journey and can’t wait to share this product with the country.”

Commercialisation Consultant at Massey Ventures Limited and competition judge Grace Capizzi says the product stood out for its innovation and market appeal.

“The Recover Roll is an exciting and innovative take in a rapidly evolving space, and a product we’d be genuinely excited to try and purchase.”

The Grand Ideas competition helps students and staff develop ideas with real-world potential through funding, mentoring and support from Massey Enterprise.