Twelve outstanding finalists have been selected for the seventh annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, designed to celebrate impact from science through successful research commercialisation within New Zealand’s universities, Crown Research Institutes and other research organisations.
Twelve outstanding finalists have been selected for the seventh annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, designed to celebrate impact from science through successful research commercialisation within New Zealand’s universities, Crown Research Institutes and other research organisations.
The innovative researchers and cutting edge research commercialisation projects include: new 3D printing technology for miniaturisation, next generation earthquake protection, pioneering drug discoveries, precision diagnostic solutions, mussel selective breeding technology, healthcare and horticulture robotic technologies, bio-material research, fruit grading and sorting technologies, and new spectroscopy technology for analysing cloudy liquids.A new award category recognises New Zealand’s best commercialisation professionals.
The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) is a consortium of 17 universities, Crown Research Institutes, an Independent Research Organisation and a Crown Entity established to boost commercial outcomes from publicly funded research by helping to transform scientific discoveries into new products and services.
KiwiNet CEO James Hutchinson says, “New scientific discoveries have the potential to transform lives and change the world. KiwiNet’s excited to showcase the amazing work that goes into getting these discoveries ‘business ready’. With the high tech sector looking to soon surpass dairy in its contribution to New Zealand’s export economy, we’re excited to celebrate the achievements of people and teams who are creating prosperity for us all.”
The 2019 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards finalists are:
MinterEllisonRuddWatts Commercialisation Professional Award
- Will Charles, ӰAPPUniServices and University of Auckland: Supercharging the commercialisation activities of the University of Auckland
- Mark Cleaver, Massey Ventures Ltd and Massey University: Leading teams to transform New Zealand’s great food and agritech research capability.
- Geoff Todd, Viclink and Victoria University of Wellington: Commercialisation pioneer who has shaped the way scientific research is commercialised in New Zealand
Norman Barry Foundation Breakthrough Innovator Award
- Andrew Best and Andrea Bubendorfer, Callaghan Innovation: MicroMaker: a new 3D printing technology for high value miniaturisation
- Dr Brendan Darby, Marama Labs: Revolutionising analytical spectroscopy with analysis of cloudy liquids
- Dr Shalen Kumar, AuramerBio: Precision diagnostics made faster, cheaper, and mobile
Baldwins Researcher Entrepreneur Award
- Distinguished Professor Dame Margaret Brimble, University of Auckland: Pioneering drug discovery and development
- Professor Bruce MacDonald, University of Auckland: Revolutionising horticulture and healthcare with cutting edge robotic technologies
- Dr Leonardo Negron, Callaghan Innovation: Bio-material research into innovative and unique products for the health sector
PwC Commercial Impact Award
- Sanford, Cawthron and SPATnz: Transforming mussel aquaculture through hatchery technology and selective breeding
- Plant & Food Research and Compac Sorting Equipment: World-leading fruit grading and sorting technologies
- Tectonus: Next generation earthquake protection supported by ӰAPPUniServices and AUT Ventures
The BNZ Supreme Award is awarded to the category winner with overall excellence in all core areas of research commercialisation.
Winners will be announced at an evening reception on 7 August in Auckland.