Latest news with #JamesHutchinson
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- 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.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- 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.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Further Cuts Fund New Tech Institute
Details of new changes to research funding under sweeping science sector reforms have been released today. The briefing confirms that set up of the NZ Institute for Advanced Technology will be paid for through reallocated science funding, including long-term reductions to specific public research funds such as the Marsden Fund and the Health Research Fund. These changes come on top of reprioritised research funding in the 2025 Budget being used to set up the three other Public Research Organisations, a new PM's Advisory Council, Invest NZ, and a new gene tech regulator. The SMC asked experts to comment. Previous expert comments on research funding in the 2025 Budget and the science system reforms are available on our website. Professor Nicola Gaston, Director of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, comments: 'Despite the jazz hands in display around the announcement of the NZIAT (or Advanced Tech PRO), we knew it was not new money. The shock is not the reprioritisation from SSIF, Callaghan Innovation, or Endeavour grants for this — those mechanisms are reasonably well aligned with the purpose of the NZIAT, so not too big a deal on some level – aside from the longstanding critique that the system is already underfunded and the cost of the reforms themselves are absorbing research money etc. 'But the bigger picture here is the capture of the science system by politicians and by bureaucrats. The movement of funds from the Investigator-led Marsden Fund, in addition to previously announced cuts to the scheme, is absolutely an attack on fundamental research and on internationally-recognised research excellence. I am far from a critic of applied or mission-led research, and can see potential in the PRO reforms to create critical mass. But this is killing the goose that laid the golden egg and then boiling that egg in aqua regia. 'Impactful scientific research requires sustained scientific leadership, not politicians whose decisions about where and how to allocate funding seem to be driven primarily by the extent to which they get to take credit for the funding announcements.' Conflict of interest statement: Nicola Gaston receives funding from the Tertiary Education Commission as the Director of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. She also receives funding from the Marsden Fund. All research funding goes to the University of Auckland to pay the costs of the research she is employed to do. Dr James Hutchinson, CEO of KiwiNet, comments: 'If we want more economic growth from our science system, now is the time to invest in R&D – not cut it. The evidence is clear internationally: countries that lift R&D investment see faster productivity growth and stronger economies. 'We also need to invest in the commercialisation system that turns research into real-world impact. Currently, less than 1% of public science, innovation and technology funding supports this critical capability – the people and programmes that connect discoveries with industry and investors, and create new companies. 'To get the best return for taxpayers, we need a diverse 'garden' of research – from blue-skies to applied – coupled with stronger commercialisation pathways. That combination is what will grow the next generation of technologies, transform industries, and build a more prosperous future for Aotearoa.' Conflict of interest statement: KiwiNet is primarily funded by the Government through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Its shareholders are New Zealand universities and publicly funded research organisations. Professor Frédérique Vanholsbeeck, Te Whai Ao — Dodd-Walls Director, University of Auckland, comments: 'The NZ Institute for Advanced Technologies (NZIAT) is being set up to leverage Aotearoa successes in Deep tech, i.e. technologies that remain deeply connected to the fundamental science on which it is based. 'We applaud the creation of NZIAT to capitalize on our leadership and investment in fundamental research to date, but wouldn't want to see this at the expense of cuts to fundamental research funding. This would put NZ at risk of failing to deliver fresh innovation in 10-15 years when the fundamental research being worked on now, matures.' Conflict of interest statement: Frédérique Vanholsbeeck receives funding from the Tertiary Education Commission as the Director of Te Whai Ao — Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonics and Quantum Technologies. She also receives funding from the Marsden Fund and the MBIE Endeavour Fund. All research funding goes to the University of Auckland to pay the costs of the research she is employed to do. Professor Kelly Dombroski, President of the NZ Geographical Society, comments: 'For us in the NZ Geographical Society we see so much need for urgent research and innovation in the environment-society space (such as climate adaptation, circular economies, environmental protection). The Advanced Institute of Technology is unlikely to provide the leadership needed for research in that crucially underfunded space.' Conflict of interest statement: 'I receive funding from the Marsden fund, I have a Rutherford Fellowship, and I previously received funds from the National Science Challenges.' Distinguished Professor Dame Jane Harding DNZM FRACP FRSNZ, President of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, comments: 'Over the past 30 years the Marsden Fund has enabled New Zealand researchers to achieve some world-class breakthroughs, earn a reputation for excellence, and collaborate with top international scientists. The Fund invests in the kind of cutting-edge research that can generate paradigm-shifting advances to feed our innovation pipeline. The government's cuts to fundamental research are likely to have significant unintended consequences. They will undermine the long-term potential of the new Institute – and the broader science sector – to build on discoveries from early-stage research to grow our competitive advantage, solve complex challenges, and improve health, education, and our environment.' Conflicts of interest: None declared. Dr Troy Baisden, Co-President New Zealand Association of Scientist, Principal Investigator Te Pūnaha Matatini Centre of Research Excellence, and Affiliate with Motu Research, comments: 'The cuts from a number of areas to prop up what remains a ghost proposal for a virtual Advanced Technology Organisation are deeply disappointing because we're finding out they're not just eroding the foundations of our national research system – the plan is now the equivalent of selling the furniture and floorboards on TradeMe to scrape together a few quid, while leaving gaping holes in what the community of researcher has to work with. (Concerningly, the plan seems so shaky that the numbers don't even add up. I can see $144.7m in funding reallocations totalled as providing $150.4m in funds?) 'With these cuts added to new requirements to target difficult-to-assess economic benefits of proposals, bodies like Marsden and Health Research Council (HRC) risk becoming too small to maintain effective operations that can convincingly say they fund the best proposals through high quality competitive processes. There have been international warnings that the cost of preparing proposals can exceed the value of funding received and the scale of these cuts are almost certain to finish pushing us over the brink. The high quality processes will break down and become ever more of a lottery with funding rates well under 1 in 10 proposals submitted, yet with each credible proposal requiring months of work. 'The cuts to the Endeavour Fund present a more complicated case because this fund had often been funding research that should be enduring, rather than supported by discontinuous 5-year contracts. Examples include programmes on climate change and emissions, environmental monitoring of lakes, and sea level rise. The competitive rounds meant that many of the programmes were capped at about $2 million per year to remain fundable, even though delivering outcomes almost certainly would have benefited from more funding, as well as long-term continuity. The pause to Endeavour's proposal rounds, with extensions for suitable contracts, might have enabled some of these changes but the cuts will now make that very difficult. 'Funding for Strategic Science Investment Fund is the one place where there is long-term funding, but many of the areas funded have hardly had an increase with inflation in the last 20 years. Now some will face a large cut or elimination entirely, and we'll discover the hard way they were doing something important when it is no longer there for us. 'Sadly those most likely to discover that our foundations (and furniture, and floorboards) are disappearing may be international investors tempted to support science and innovation here. Unfortunately, they'll find that a starving innovation ecosystem with less public support to build their investments on than they could find in almost any other comparable country. They won't leave behind public warnings but will silently disappear. 'There is one hope however. Partly because the system has become so reliant on these competitive research funds, overheads have become internationally anomalous. Any obvious anomaly can be fixed, but only if the willpower exists to do it. Overheads means that for every dollar spend on salary support for researchers in universities more than two dollars go to support the university's operations. The same calculations become roughly four times salary in Crown Research Institutes, recently amalgamated into fewer institutions. Thus our research overheads sit at 200-400%, with more money going to support our institutions than the research projects that are funded. In Europe the norm is 25%, and in the United States, Trump has tried to bring the cap down to 15%. 'Testifying to a Parliamentary select committee this year, the then CE of GNS Science suggested that having scientists charge out at the same rate as lawyers, or over $400 per hour, should be normalised. I question whether she or the government want to see that proposition tested as an election issue. 'There is another way. If the government is able to find funds to support institutions and reduce the competition that has blown out the overheads supporting institutions, they could cap overheads. Then the reduced funding Marsden, Health Research Council, Strategic Science Investment Fund, etc will go further and contribute to a more stable research system. 'At present, there's no indication that massively reduced overheads from competition will be achieved and we're left watching the furniture and floorbaards go on out the door as an answer to the most often asked question about our research system's reforms: are we rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic or playing musical chairs? 'We are doing both.'
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bramcote SEND school unveils major expansion plans
A school in Nottinghamshire which caters for pupils with special needs has published plans to more than double in Academy, which currently has about 110 pupils, wants to expand its capacity by 150, using adjacent land where Bramcote Secondary School used to teacher James Hutchinson said the spaces were needed to cope with surging demand for SEND £25m plan is out for consultation, with a formal application expected in October and a planned opening date of September 2027. Foxwood currently has approximately 60 members of staff and caters for students from four to 18 years site of Bramcote Secondary School has been empty since its derelict buildings were demolished after a fire in site is also close to Bramcote Leisure Centre and Bramcote Hills Primary Hutchinson said: "There is a real need for spaces for children with additional needs in the county, we need to increase provision to meet that need."Currently we are spending around £35m a year, roughly on local council maintained schools and another £35m on independent provision, so that's a lot of money". 'Preparation for adulthood' The project will create a dedicated secondary school, with the current building becoming solely a Hutchinson said: "This will allow us to focus on powerfully meeting the needs of of the children in the different settings."For example, if you have an educational health care plan, a learning difficulty in Nottinghamshire, your chance of getting paid employment is about 1.5%."So a new build with specially built vocational resources allows us to try and tackle that figure."It also allows us to teach a focussed curriculum around preparation for adulthood."Mr Hutchinson said the bulk of the cost would come from the insurance payout related to the secondary school of the exhibition and proposals will remain available for comment until 25 July.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Popular Carlisle menswear business relocates to new studio
A popular Carlisle menswear business has relocated to a new studio. Tasker & Shaw, a Carlisle-based menswear business, has moved into its new tailoring-focused studio at 27 Spencer Street locate next to the former Debenhams building. The menswear business was previously located on Scotch Street and is owned by personal stylist and author James Hutchinson. The studio marks a vibrant new chapter for Tasker & Shaw and a new focus on their made-to-measure offering. Tasker & Shaw's pre-existing website and showroom will still supply a wide range of menswear and accessories, while they continue to build upon the personal service they offer on a one-to-one basis. James Hutchinson (Image: Ballard PR) The new studio will also offer made-to-measure suiting, bespoke shirting, and handmade-to-order shoes for both men and women. "The space already has so much character, and we're thrilled to bring high-end tailoring back to the heart of the city," James Hutchinson said after moving into the new studio. "Whether you're looking for a sharp business suit or a one-of-a-kind wedding ensemble, our goal is to create garments that truly reflect the individual." (Image: Ballard PR) The studio operates by appointment only, with the aim of ensuring a personalised experience from consultation to final fitting. Prices at Tasker & Shaw start at £850 for suits and £150 for bespoke shirts, with a range of luxury fabrics and customisation options available at the popular local menwear brand. Alongside his work at Tasker & Shaw, James Hutchison is also the author of 'The Tailor's Lexicon: An A–Z Guide to Sartorial Terms', and takes pride in bringing his knowledge and passion for style to every aspect of the business. His commitment to sustainable, slow fashion is shown in the brand's motto - 'Buy less, buy better.'
