2025 KiwiNet Awards Finalists: Groundbreaking Research Commercialisation Turning Science Into Global Impact
The KiwiNet Awards shine a spotlight on NewZealand's deep tech talent - research entrepreneurs, innovators, and commercialisation professionals. This year's diverse finalists include innovations such as a portable stroke detection device, a biological forecasting platform for marine farmers, sustainable haircare tablets, a university course guidance platform, space technology, skin cancer diagnostics technology, and plant and food breakthroughs ranging from hops to potatoes. Other highlights include marine biofuel, clean-tech innovations, animal vaccination technologies, a breakthrough drug for depression and anxiety, decarbonised metal refining, wearable health tech, and CAR-T therapy breakthroughs for cancer treatment.
KiwiNet CEO Dr James Hutchinson says, 'These finalists represent the cutting edge of innovation, turning world-class science into high-value, high-growth ventures with real impact for New Zealand. From pioneering medical treatments to clean tech, sustainable food production and space innovation, they show how science can tackle real-world challenges — growing our economy, boosting productivity, and doing good in our communities. The KiwiNet Awards highlight the powerful returns delivered by research commercialisation, with every $1 invested in PreSeed Accelerator Funding generating $13 in economic value for Aotearoa.'
The 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards finalists are:
Momentum Student Entrepreneur Award
Breakthrough Innovator Award
Dr François-Xavier Collard – Scion, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: Pioneering biofuel for a greener maritime future
Dr Patricia Rubio-Reyes – Malaghan Institute of Medical Research: Improving cell therapy control to fight cancer
Dr Ben Mallett – The MacDiarmid Institute, Wellington UniVentures, Paihau Robinson Research Institute: Propelling New Zealand to the frontiers of deep space
BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award
KCA Commercialisation Professional Award
Sue Muggleston – Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: A legacy of IP excellence and growing future leaders
Arron Judson – Symply/ New Zealand College of Chiropractic: Building capability, not just companies
Amanda Davies: Scion, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: Forging pathways to turn science into impact
PwC Breakthrough Project Award
Wellumio – Wellington UniVentures: Lifesaving stroke imaging when every second counts
CAR-T Therapy – Malaghan Institute of Medical Research: Engineering the future of cancer care in New Zealand
Ocean Intelligence – Cawthron Institute: Forecasting the future of marine farming
AJ Park Commercialisation Impact Award
Zincovery and Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: Leading the future of clean metal refining
Potato Innovation 'Crop 78' – Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: A sustainable French fry future
Nectaron® and Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: Next-generation flavours brewing global success
KiwiNet Awards judge Greg Sitters says, 'This year's finalists stood out for their diversity, sharper commercial focus, and growing awareness of how their science can tackle global challenges while delivering tangible benefits for NewZealand. It's exciting to see this shift, as it reflects the increasing maturity and diversity of our research commercialisation ecosystem, which will continue to offer vital expertise to support researchers to deliver outputs through the Awards process and beyond. Collaboration remains the ecosystem's greatest strength - but to fully unlock the economic and societal potential of research innovation and contribute meaningfully to NewZealand's growth agenda, further investment is essential.'
The 2025 KiwiNet Awards judging panel comprises Greg Sitters - Managing Partner at Matū Group; Melissa Yiannoutsos - Innovation Fund Manager, Booster NZ; Nadine Williams - CE & Founder, Instinct Lab NZ; David Beard - Partner at Movac; Adiraj Gupta - Entrepreneur & Founder, Sendd.
Nic Blakeley, Deputy Secretary Labour, Science, and Enterprise at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, says, 'The KiwiNet Awards finalists are a powerful reminder of how research commercialisation drives real-world impact. Their success highlights the critical role of science-industry partnerships in growing our economy.'
The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) is a consortium of 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.
The 2025 KiwiNet Awards are supported by MBIE, PwC NZ, Sprout Agritech, BNZ, KCA, Campus Plus and AJ Park, as well as Return On Science, Momentum, and the sponsors of the Momentum Student Entrepreneur award, Icehouse Ventures, Angel Association and Emerge.
This year, the KiwiNet Awards will be held alongside the inaugural Auckland Startup Week, which will shine a spotlight on the people, ideas and companies building New Zealand's global reputation for innovation. KiwiNet Awards winners for 2025 will be announced at an evening reception on 22 October.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
2025 KiwiNet Awards Finalists: Groundbreaking Research Commercialisation Turning Science Into Global Impact
This year's 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards celebrate 18 exceptional finalists leading the charge in turning bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs. These pioneers are translating cutting-edge research from universities, Crown Research Institutes, and research organisations into powerful technologies, thriving businesses, and tangible economic benefits for Aotearoa and beyond. The KiwiNet Awards shine a spotlight on NewZealand's deep tech talent - research entrepreneurs, innovators, and commercialisation professionals. This year's diverse finalists include innovations such as a portable stroke detection device, a biological forecasting platform for marine farmers, sustainable haircare tablets, a university course guidance platform, space technology, skin cancer diagnostics technology, and plant and food breakthroughs ranging from hops to potatoes. Other highlights include marine biofuel, clean-tech innovations, animal vaccination technologies, a breakthrough drug for depression and anxiety, decarbonised metal refining, wearable health tech, and CAR-T therapy breakthroughs for cancer treatment. KiwiNet CEO Dr James Hutchinson says, 'These finalists represent the cutting edge of innovation, turning world-class science into high-value, high-growth ventures with real impact for New Zealand. From pioneering medical treatments to clean tech, sustainable food production and space innovation, they show how science can tackle real-world challenges — growing our economy, boosting productivity, and doing good in our communities. The KiwiNet Awards highlight the powerful returns delivered by research commercialisation, with every $1 invested in PreSeed Accelerator Funding generating $13 in economic value for Aotearoa.' The 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards finalists are: Momentum Student Entrepreneur Award Breakthrough Innovator Award Dr François-Xavier Collard – Scion, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: Pioneering biofuel for a greener maritime future Dr Patricia Rubio-Reyes – Malaghan Institute of Medical Research: Improving cell therapy control to fight cancer Dr Ben Mallett – The MacDiarmid Institute, Wellington UniVentures, Paihau Robinson Research Institute: Propelling New Zealand to the frontiers of deep space BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award KCA Commercialisation Professional Award Sue Muggleston – Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: A legacy of IP excellence and growing future leaders Arron Judson – Symply/ New Zealand College of Chiropractic: Building capability, not just companies Amanda Davies: Scion, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: Forging pathways to turn science into impact PwC Breakthrough Project Award Wellumio – Wellington UniVentures: Lifesaving stroke imaging when every second counts CAR-T Therapy – Malaghan Institute of Medical Research: Engineering the future of cancer care in New Zealand Ocean Intelligence – Cawthron Institute: Forecasting the future of marine farming AJ Park Commercialisation Impact Award Zincovery and Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: Leading the future of clean metal refining Potato Innovation 'Crop 78' – Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: A sustainable French fry future Nectaron® and Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: Next-generation flavours brewing global success KiwiNet Awards judge Greg Sitters says, 'This year's finalists stood out for their diversity, sharper commercial focus, and growing awareness of how their science can tackle global challenges while delivering tangible benefits for NewZealand. It's exciting to see this shift, as it reflects the increasing maturity and diversity of our research commercialisation ecosystem, which will continue to offer vital expertise to support researchers to deliver outputs through the Awards process and beyond. Collaboration remains the ecosystem's greatest strength - but to fully unlock the economic and societal potential of research innovation and contribute meaningfully to NewZealand's growth agenda, further investment is essential.' The 2025 KiwiNet Awards judging panel comprises Greg Sitters - Managing Partner at Matū Group; Melissa Yiannoutsos - Innovation Fund Manager, Booster NZ; Nadine Williams - CE & Founder, Instinct Lab NZ; David Beard - Partner at Movac; Adiraj Gupta - Entrepreneur & Founder, Sendd. Nic Blakeley, Deputy Secretary Labour, Science, and Enterprise at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, says, 'The KiwiNet Awards finalists are a powerful reminder of how research commercialisation drives real-world impact. Their success highlights the critical role of science-industry partnerships in growing our economy.' The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) is a consortium of 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. The 2025 KiwiNet Awards are supported by MBIE, PwC NZ, Sprout Agritech, BNZ, KCA, Campus Plus and AJ Park, as well as Return On Science, Momentum, and the sponsors of the Momentum Student Entrepreneur award, Icehouse Ventures, Angel Association and Emerge. This year, the KiwiNet Awards will be held alongside the inaugural Auckland Startup Week, which will shine a spotlight on the people, ideas and companies building New Zealand's global reputation for innovation. KiwiNet Awards winners for 2025 will be announced at an evening reception on 22 October.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Medical researcher up for award
The researcher behind a slow-release ketamine tablet, developed to treat people with treatment-resistant depression, has been named a finalist in the 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards. University of Otago Hazel Buckland chair in psychological medicine Prof Paul Glue is up for the BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award for his pioneering research. The awards honour those who bridge the gap between research and business, transforming scientific discoveries into real-world solutions that create lasting benefit for New Zealanders. "I'm absolutely blown away by this," Prof Glue said. "Since this project started, it's taken on a whole new life of its own." For nearly a decade, he has been working on the medication, which is now about to undergo Food and Drug Administration approval, with the aim of getting it on the market within the next three years. He said the new medication was working well for patients and almost everyone who took it during trials decided they wanted to stay on it. While he was delighted to be named a finalist in the awards, Prof Glue said the biggest reward was that it was changing people's lives. "The contrast between what their pattern of illness was like before, versus being on this drug and basically being well, has been striking — life-changing for them." Most people who have treatment-resistant depression are destined to be stuck at home, unable to work, continually dealing with relationship problems — a place far from a normal life, he said. "The stats show that about one in five women, and one in 10 men in New Zealand will have an episode of depression, and about a third of the patients won't respond to conventional treatments. "They're functionally impaired. It's a big population, and at the moment, we as a health system do not have an effective line of treatment for this big population." Doctors usually used the anaesthetic drug as an effective means of sedation and pain relief, but ketamine was also given to patients with treatment-resistant depression, via injection or nasal spray. Unfortunately, it had major side effects in this form, he said. "It can make patients feel very spaced out, very sleepy. They can't walk for about half an hour. "That's why you have to have it in a clinic. "It's quite a burden on resources for patients and the health system." However, Prof Glue's slow-release ketamine tablets were absorbed by the body over about 10 hours and had few side effects. Because of that, it reduced the risk of abuse by drug users. It meant the tablets could be picked up from a pharmacy on prescription, potentially making treatment a much cheaper and more convenient option, compared with weekly clinic visits for ketamine injections or nasal sprays, he said. KiwiNet chief executive Dr James Hutchinson said the finalists represented the "cutting edge of innovation", turning world-class science into high-value, high-growth ventures with real impact for New Zealand. "From pioneering medical treatments to clean tech, sustainable food production and space innovation, they show how science can tackle real-world challenges — growing our economy, boosting productivity, and doing good in our communities." The winners of the KiwiNet Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Auckland on October 22.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
2025 KiwiNet Awards Finalists: Groundbreaking Research Commercialisation Turning Science Into Global Impact
Press Release – KiwiNet The KiwiNet Awards shine a spotlight on NewZealands deep tech talent – research entrepreneurs, innovators, and commercialisation professionals. This year's 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards celebrate 18 exceptional finalists leading the charge in turning bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs. These pioneers are translating cutting-edge research from universities, Crown Research Institutes, and research organisations into powerful technologies, thriving businesses, and tangible economic benefits for Aotearoa and beyond. The KiwiNet Awards shine a spotlight on NewZealand's deep tech talent – research entrepreneurs, innovators, and commercialisation professionals. This year's diverse finalists include innovations such as a portable stroke detection device, a biological forecasting platform for marine farmers, sustainable haircare tablets, a university course guidance platform, space technology, skin cancer diagnostics technology, and plant and food breakthroughs ranging from hops to potatoes. Other highlights include marine biofuel, clean-tech innovations, animal vaccination technologies, a breakthrough drug for depression and anxiety, decarbonised metal refining, wearable health tech, and CAR-T therapy breakthroughs for cancer treatment. KiwiNet CEO Dr James Hutchinson says, 'These finalists represent the cutting edge of innovation, turning world-class science into high-value, high-growth ventures with real impact for New Zealand. From pioneering medical treatments to clean tech, sustainable food production and space innovation, they show how science can tackle real-world challenges — growing our economy, boosting productivity, and doing good in our communities. The KiwiNet Awards highlight the powerful returns delivered by research commercialisation, with every $1 invested in PreSeed Accelerator Funding generating $13 in economic value for Aotearoa.' The 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards finalists are: Momentum Student Entrepreneur Award Emmalee Abbott Joe – FROTH/ Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: Making travel more sustainable, one haircare tablet at a time Josiah Bugden – CourseSpy/ University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka: Creating transparency in higher education Jade Luxton – Steerineedle/ Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: The holster revolutionising livestock vaccinations Breakthrough Innovator Award Dr François-Xavier Collard – Scion, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: Pioneering biofuel for a greener maritime future Dr Patricia Rubio-Reyes – Malaghan Institute of Medical Research: Improving cell therapy control to fight cancer Dr Ben Mallett – The MacDiarmid Institute, Wellington UniVentures, Paihau Robinson Research Institute: Propelling New Zealand to the frontiers of deep space BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award Professor Paul Glue – University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka: Pioneering impact for mental health Dr Michel Nieuwoudt – Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland/ Luminoma Ltd: Making light work of hard problems Professor Aaron Marshall – Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury/ MacDiarmid Institute: An inspiring visionary in clean-tech innovation KCA Commercialisation Professional Award Sue Muggleston – Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: A legacy of IP excellence and growing future leaders Arron Judson – Symply/ New Zealand College of Chiropractic: Building capability, not just companies Amanda Davies: Scion, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: Forging pathways to turn science into impact PwC Breakthrough Project Award Wellumio – Wellington UniVentures: Lifesaving stroke imaging when every second counts CAR-T Therapy – Malaghan Institute of Medical Research: Engineering the future of cancer care in New Zealand Ocean Intelligence – Cawthron Institute: Forecasting the future of marine farming AJ Park Commercialisation Impact Award Zincovery and Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: Leading the future of clean metal refining Potato Innovation 'Crop 78' – Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: A sustainable French fry future Nectaron® and Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: Next-generation flavours brewing global success KiwiNet Awards judge Greg Sitters says, 'This year's finalists stood out for their diversity, sharper commercial focus, and growing awareness of how their science can tackle global challenges while delivering tangible benefits for NewZealand. It's exciting to see this shift, as it reflects the increasing maturity and diversity of our research commercialisation ecosystem, which will continue to offer vital expertise to support researchers to deliver outputs through the Awards process and beyond. Collaboration remains the ecosystem's greatest strength – but to fully unlock the economic and societal potential of research innovation and contribute meaningfully to NewZealand's growth agenda, further investment is essential.' The 2025 KiwiNet Awards judging panel comprises Greg Sitters – Managing Partner at Matū Group; Melissa Yiannoutsos – Innovation Fund Manager, Booster NZ; Nadine Williams – CE & Founder, Instinct Lab NZ; David Beard – Partner at Movac; Adiraj Gupta – Entrepreneur & Founder, Sendd. Nic Blakeley, Deputy Secretary Labour, Science, and Enterprise at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, says, 'The KiwiNet Awards finalists are a powerful reminder of how research commercialisation drives real-world impact. Their success highlights the critical role of science-industry partnerships in growing our economy.' The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) is a consortium of 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. The 2025 KiwiNet Awards are supported by MBIE, PwC NZ, Sprout Agritech, BNZ, KCA, Campus Plus and AJ Park, as well as Return On Science, Momentum, and the sponsors of the Momentum Student Entrepreneur award, Icehouse Ventures, Angel Association and Emerge. This year, the KiwiNet Awards will be held alongside the inaugural Auckland Startup Week, which will shine a spotlight on the people, ideas and companies building New Zealand's global reputation for innovation. KiwiNet Awards winners for 2025 will be announced at an evening reception on 22 October.
