An online marketplace that sidesteps the banks, allowing people to lend and borrow directly with each other, claimed the top prize at the Spark Challenge held at The University of Auckland Business School last month. ‘Nexx’ went home with $20,000 in seed funding and nine-month tenancy at The Icehouse business incubator.
The Spark Entrepreneurship Challenge arms university staff and students with the tools to turn promising research and business ideas into commercial ventures.
Nexx applies the social networking concept of websites like MySpace and YouTube to the world of finance. Borrowers list their financial projects online www.nexx.co.nz and lenders pledge funds and interest rates via an auction, cutting banks and finance companies out of transactions.
The biggest mistake leaders make about Gen Z’s ambition
Guest Contributor
August 24, 2026
Gen Z is building careers around leverage. Every new skill, network, side project or AI capability increases their ability to negotiate, pivot or leave.
