2021 Awards Videos
Breakthrough Innovator Award
This award recognises an upcoming entrepreneurial researcher who is making outstanding contributions to business innovation or is creating innovative businesses in New Zealand through technology licencing, start-up creation or by providing expertise to support business innovation.
Winner
Dr Shalini Divya
Tasmanlon/ Wellington UniVentures
A new aluminium-ion battery technology, offering a safer, sustainable, cost-effective alternative for grid storage and portable applications
Finalist
Christopher Smith
Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research
The Mushroom Smith - commercial-scale production of fungi traditionally collected and eaten by Māori.
Finalist
Ged Finch
XFrame™ Pty Ltd/ Wellington UniVentures
XFrame™ - a recoverable and reusable framing system for the next generation of sustainable construction
Finalist
Dr Matheus Vargas
Orbis Diagnostics/ University of Auckland
Orbis Diagnostics makes complex medical testing simple and accessible wherever and whenever needed to help re-enable safe travel amidst a pandemic
Researcher Entrepreneur Award
This award recognises an entrepreneurial researcher who has made outstanding contributions to business innovation or has created innovative businesses in New Zealand through technology licencing, start-up creation or by providing expertise to support business innovation.
Winner
Prof Johan Potgieter
Massey University
Inspiring entrepreneurial insurgency by creating a technology pipeline
Finalist
Andrea Bubendorfer
Callaghan Innovation
Championing science and scientists for real value
Finalist
Prof Ian Woodhead
Lincoln Agritech Limited
Advancing electrical and electronic engineering for agri and environmental sectors
Commercialisation Professional Award
This award recognises a commercialisation professional working within a New Zealand research organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to the commercialisation of publicly-funded research.
Winner
Darja Pavlovic-Nelson
Plant & Food Research
Sensing opportunities – capturing value from Plant & Food Research IP
Finalist
Dr Alex Tickle
Otago Innovation Limited
Leading research teams to commercial success
Finalist
Hamish Findlay
Wellington UniVentures
A commercialisation expert, identifying and nurturing commercial outcomes to create impact
Commercial Impact Award
This award celebrates excellence in research commercialisation delivering outstanding innovation performance and the potential for generating significant economic impact for New Zealand.
Winner
Aureo®Gold - Plant & Food Research, Zespri and UPL
Aureo®Gold a new biocontrol product combating plant disease
Finalist
ActivLayr
Plant & Food Research
Nanofibre cosmetic products from marine collagen - ActivLayr™ a unique nanofibre delivery platform for bioactives and cosmeceuticals
Finalist
First Watch
WaikatoLink and CTEK
Protecting critical infrastructure from cyber attack
Momentum Student Entrepreneur Award
The award recognises highly motivated New Zealand university students who have made significant progress developing an idea that can change the world.
These students are making outstanding contributions to commercialisation and innovation or has created an innovative business in New Zealand through technology licensing, start-up creation or by providing expertise to support innovation.
Winner
Luke Campbell - University of Canterbury
Millions of calls made smarter with Vxt
Finalist
Jeanette Rapson - Massey University
Early Habits - freeze-dried vegetable baby food
Other Videos
Taking Scientific Discoveries to Market
How the 2021 finalists feel about creating impact from Kiwi science.
Judges Introduction
Introduction to the Judges of the 2021 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards