AUT Venture Fund – Best Big Idea Winner (2012)

Spinbox – Mobile Puzzle Game | Founder – Gamekit Ltd

Overview

While completing my studies at AUT Business School, I founded Gamekit Ltd to develop Spinbox — a mobile puzzle game designed from the ground up to deliver a unique, socially connected gameplay experience.

The concept won the AUT Venture Fund’s “Best Big Idea” award, securing $10,000 in venture capital, mentoring, and professional development support. The fund recognises student ventures with high growth potential and strong domestic and/or international market orientation.

Challenge

Entering an already crowded mobile gaming market, I needed to:

• Differentiate Spinbox from conventional puzzle games.

• Prove market potential to investors and judges.

• Build an early playable version (beta) capable of showcasing the game’s unique mechanics.

Approach

• Game Design & Development – Created the concept, gameplay mechanics, and visual design.

• Social Integration – Embedded social media connectivity to drive virality and player retention.

• Business Planning – Developed a commercial model with both premium and in-app purchase revenue streams.

• Pitching & Investor Engagement – Presented to a panel of venture fund judges, demonstrating market opportunity and growth strategy.

Recognition

• Awarded “Best Big Idea” – $10,000 in funding from the AUT Venture Fund.

• Judges described Spinbox as “a new innovation in a high growth market with global potential.” – Tony Falkenstein, AUT Venture Fund Judge.

• Selected as one of only three funded ventures across all AUT faculties in 2012.

Impact

• Enabled the establishment of Gamekit Ltd and the continuation of Spinbox development beyond the beta stage.

• Provided invaluable mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry professionals.

• Validated the market viability of the concept at an early stage, opening doors for further investment opportunities.