About Us

Our purpose is to create impactful futures for people and organisations.

 

Established in 2016 by education futurist Frances Valintine (CNZM), Tech Futures Lab is New Zealand’s education springboard for innovation and only private graduate school.

 

Our postgraduate programmes are NZQA accredited and funding is available for students via StudyLink. We have big ambitions but we still know every individual student – you’ll never be just a number here.

 

Our environment is based on trust, flexibility and support. A place where everyone comes to openly share ideas.

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Our Master’s programme has been built from the ground up. In 2015 we started talking to world experts from every field of technology and then we worked and consulted with employers, entrepreneurs, social enterprise leaders and people just like you to map out the ideal Masters programme. It is constantly evolving. A division of The Mind Lab Tech Futures Lab is part of The Mind Lab, a NZQA-registered Tertiary Education Organisation under the provisions of the Education Act 1989. Tech Futures Lab Master’s candidates are enrolled with The Mind Lab which is approved by NZQA to award the Master of Technological Futures. This qualification is a Level 9, 180 credit, part-time Master's programme that provides the platform, skills and networks essential for professionals in business today to prepare them for tomorrow.



Meet our Founder

Frances Valintine (CNZM) is a thought-leader in emerging and disruptive technologies and has 25 years’ experience across business, technology and education.

 

Frances is the CEO and Founder of The Mind Lab and Tech Futures Lab. Her entire life has been spent in the intersection between education and technology. Frances is a visionary leader who is recognised for her ability to see the connections between the influences of change and progress.

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Frances was awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2018 for her lifetime services to technology and education.

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In 2018 she was inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame as a Hi Tech Flying Kiwi. She is a Sir Peter Blake Leader, and she has won a range of awards including the NZ Woman of Influence in Innovation. In 2013 Frances won best new start-up in the Asia-Pacific by judges Sir Richard Branson and Steve Wozniak for The Mind Lab. Frances has worked with and advised 250+ organisations from every sector in New Zealand, from agriculture to finance, retail to law, and has gained a reputation as an expert in leading positive change. Frances sits on the board of Callaghan Innovation, she is the Future’s Advisor to the BNZ and Spark. Frances is deeply committed to education equality and is the 50th Trustee for Dilworth School. ​ She holds a Master of Education Management from the University of Melbourne. Tech Futures Lab was born out of the need and demand for real-life, applicable knowledge about technology and where business is headed.



Awards and Recognition

2018

  • Tech Futures Lab wins Most Innovative in Education in Idealog's Most Innovative Companies Awards

  • In the 2018 New Year Honours, Frances was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit recognising her lifetime of contribution in education and technology

  • Best Small to Medium Business of the Year - Newmarket Business Awards - Tech Futures Lab

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2017

  • Flying Kiwi 2017 (NZ Hi-Tech Awards) - Frances Valintine inducted into the NZ Hi Tech Hall of Fame

  • Sanitarium NZ Innovator of the Year - Frances Valintine - Top 3 Finalist

  • Best Innovation of the Year Newmarket Business Awards - Tech Futures Lab

  • Supreme Winner Newmarket Business Awards - Tech Futures Lab

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2016

  • NZ Hi-Tech Awards, Finalist Emerging Company Award - The Mind Lab

  • NZ CIO Awards, Winner Best Engagement of Youth in ICT - The Mind Lab

  • The Makers and Shakers of Education Technology Index, Top 50 Global Innovators in Education (& first named from NZ) - Frances Valintine

​2016 (continued)

  • Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards, Winner Blake Leader Award - Frances Valintine

  • NZ Diversity Awards, Walk the Talk Winner - Frances Valintine

  • NZ Diversity Awards, Tomorrow's Workforce - The Mind Lab
     

2015

  • NZ Hi-Tech Awards, Runner Up Most Innovative Initiative Award - The Mind Lab

  • Next Magazine Woman of the Year, Winner Education - Frances Valintine

  • Westpac Women of Influence, Winner Innovation - Frances Valintine

  • Idealog, Winner Top 10 Most Influential Women of 2015 - Frances Valintine

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2014

  • Asia Pacific Talent Unleashed Awards, Best Start-Up in Asia Pacific - The Mind Lab

  • Asia Pacific Talent Unleashed Awards, Best Start-Up in New Zealand - The Mind Lab

Our partners

CONTACT TECH FUTURES LAB

Ground Floor
99 Khyber Pass Road

Grafton, Auckland 1023

New Zealand

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Tech Futures Lab is an education facility of The Mind Lab, a NZQA registered Tertiary Education Organisation under the provisions of the Education Act 1989. Candidates who are studying on a programme delivered by Tech Futures Lab are enrolled with The Mind Lab.