Global win for Business School grad
Mike Jenkins (Ngāti Raukawa), a 2005 graduate of AUT Business School and co-founder of the tech start-up Elevate Aotearoa's Future, has won a Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) 2023 Entrepreneurial Achievement Award.
The BGS Entrepreneurial Achievement Award recognises individuals who develop, organise, and enhance successful new ventures, and celebrates entrepreneurs as the people who drive innovation and support new ideas.
Nominated by the AUT Beta Gamma Sigma chapter, Mike was selected as an award winner based on his exemplary demonstration of leadership excellence.
AUT Business School Professor Alireza Tourani-Rad, who supported Mike’s nomination for the prestigious award, said the AUT alumnus has an “exemplary” career in the tech industry that showcases “home-grown Kiwi innovation and business success” and deserves to be recognised internationally.
“We particularly applaud Mike for the startup, development, and successful launch of The Instillery, which takes an ingenious approach in the technology industry, using the cloud format for safe and secure data delivery to government, corporate and businesses,” says Professor Tourani-Rad. “Following that success, Mike prioritised people and community with his newest venture, Elevate Aotearoa’s Future, which supports Māori and Pacific peoples to choose careers in the tech sector.”
Mike, who holds a Bachelor of Business: international trade, finance marketing and e-commerce, describes himself as a “proven business builder and innovative and disruptive leader” who is a “connector of good humans”. Mike prides himself on “leading bravely with nose in and hands out” and says he is not afraid to challenge the traditional ‘suit and tie’ stereotype of successful business leaders.
About Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS)
Established in 1913, Beta Gamma Sigma is an international honor society which operates exclusively for AACSB accredited business programs. Beta Gamma Sigma has inducted more than 900,000 members worldwide since its founding in 1913. The Society is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.