Teō Haka
Centre for
growth &
innovation

Startup Breakfast Club

“The positive effects of video games are numerous, from better memory and problem-solving to improved mood and social skills. Gaming actually has many physical, cognitive and social benefits”

Join us at this month’s Startup Breakfast Club all about NZ Gaming & Startups. Come along to hear from two of the experts in this industry, Chelsea Rapp from CerebralFix and Andrew Phelps, Professor at the University of Canterbury who will be providing an introduction to the gaming industry in NZ and the opportunities this may present for Startups.

Chelsea originally studied molecular genetics in the U.S. and has a master’s degree in microbiology and immunology. After working in product development and regulatory strategy for many years, she decided to hang up her lab coat and pursue her passion for video games.

She has worked as Head of Strategy and Business Development for CerebralFix Ltd, a Christchurch-based game studio that creates mobile and digital location-based experiences for clients like Disney, Universal, DreamWorks, and Pixar.

In April 2022, Chelsea will begin working as the Programme Manager for the University of Canterbury’s recently announced Digital Screen Campus.

Andrew ‘Andy’ Phelps is a professor at the Human Interface Technology Laboratory NZ (HIT Lab NZ) within the University of Canterbury (UC) in Christchurch, New Zealand. His work there focuses on virtual and augmented reality, games and education, and a wide variety of art and interactive media experiences.

Andy will lead UC’s recently announced Digital Screen Campus (DSC) as its Programme Director. The DSC will train future leaders in film production, game development and cross reality, helping New Zealand play a key role in the future of digital screen convergence.

This is a must-attend event so don’t miss out! Get your insights, meet your startup tribe, and enjoy the free-flowing coffee and breakfast nibbles. Thanks to MYOB, it’s all free so secure your spot now!

Parking: There are parks across the road by Washington Skate park or out the front of the Te Ōhaka building along Moorehouse avenue. These parks can fill up very quickly in the morning. There are also parks found along Allen Street off of Madras Street along the front of the ARA building. The rest of the carparks found around this area are pay to park carparks.

Register Now!

*By booking a ticket to this event you are accepting that you will be required to show your ‘My Vaccine Pass’ upon entry to the venue.

Meet your speakers


Chelsea Rapp
Chair Person @New Zealand Game Developers Association, Head of Strategy & Business Development @CerebralFix Limited, Programme Manager @Digital Screen Campus, University of Canterbury
Chelsea is the current Chairperson for the New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA), an interactive media advocacy group, where she works closely with government, tertiary education, trade organizations, and cross-industry partners to advocate for the interactive media industry. She originally studied molecular genetics in the U.S. and has a master’s degree in microbiology and immunology. After working in product development and regulatory strategy for many years, she decided to hang up her lab coat and pursue her passion for video games.Since moving to New Zealand, she has worked as Head of Strategy and Business Development for CerebralFix Ltd, a Christchurch-based game studio that creates mobile and digital location-based experiences for clients like Disney, Universal, DreamWorks, and Pixar. 

In April 2022, Chelsea will begin working as the Programme Manager for the University of Canterbury’s recently announced Digital Screen Campus.


Andrew Phelps
Professor @HIT Lab NZ within the University of Canterbury (UC), @UCNZ_DSC

Andrew ‘Andy’ Phelps is a professor at the Human Interface Technology Laboratory NZ (HIT Lab NZ) within the University of Canterbury (UC) in Christchurch, New Zealand. His work there focuses on virtual and augmented reality, games and education, and a wide variety of art and interactive media experiences. In addition to his individual research and creative practice, supervision of students and teaching activities, Andy is heavily involved in the University’s Applied Immersive Gaming Initiative (AIGI), in collaboration with other faculty and staff at UC, HIT Lab NZ and ChristchurchNZ, the city’s promotion and economic development agency.

Andy also serves as a Professor in the Film and Media Arts division of the School of Communication at American University, and as Director of the AU Game Center. Andy will lead UC’s recently announced Digital Screen Campus (DSC) as its Programme Director. The DSC will train future leaders in film production, game development and cross reality, helping New Zealand play a key role in the future of digital screen convergence.

In addition to his roles at UC and American University, Andy currently serves as president of the Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA).