EA Recipient Bio

Mike Jenkins

Co-founder of Elevating Aotearoa’s Future
Nominated by Auckland University of Technology

Mike Jenkins is a fast-paced entrepreneur, leaping from one successful venture to another. With an exemplary career establishing multiple start-ups in the technology industry, shaping businesses for future succession and showcasing home-grown kiwi innovation.

Mike is the co-founder of ‘Elevating Aotearoa’s Future’, fostering indigenous Māori and Pacific peoples into the technology sector, bringing forth Waikato as the hub of the technology sector and opening doors of opportunities in regional New Zealand. His latest tech investment is one of the most diverse technology companies in Asia Pacific with 70% of female employees and 30% indigenous Māori or Pasifika - in an industry that struggles to break the 5% threshold of both indigenous employees and women.

Mike launched his career in the tech industry in 2004 as a business analyst for Computerland New Zealand (which subsequently was acquired by Spark). He steadfastly climbed the ladder with IBM, Cisco Systems and was the founder and CEO of The Instillery which he has recently handed the reins off. Mike is most passionate about community and its people, a proven track record of building purpose led teams, developing new leaders, commercialising digital and tech businesses, and executing for success in the toughest economic climate.

Mike has achieved numerous industry, business and leadership awards; Rising Star in 2014 at the CIO awards, Winner of the Management Excellence award 2017 ARN Innovation Awards, voted 13th in the 50 most influential CIOs in New Zealand in 2018 and recognised as the 2021 Aotearoa NZ CEO of the year at the Waikato Westpac Business Awards. Mike truly embodies the values of Beta Gamma Sigma, of continuous service with honour and integrity by being a mentor to young leaders in the technology industry. Auckland University of Technology’s Business School is proud to have a visionary alumnus making impact with principle.