2025 Awards Videos
Ara Ake 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 Ben Mallett
The MacDiarmid Institute, Wellington UniVentures, Paihau Robinson Research Institute
Propelling New Zealand to the frontiers of deep space
Finalist
Dr François-Xavier Collard
Bioeconomy Science Institute
Pioneering biofuel for a greener maritime future
Finalist
Dr Patricia Rubio-Reyes
Malaghan Institute of Medical Research
Improving cell therapy control to fight cancer
BNZ 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 licensing, start-up creation or by providing expertise to support business innovation.
Winner
Professor Aaron Marshall
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury / MacDiarmid Institute:
An inspiring visionary in clean-tech innovation
Finalist
Professor Paul Glue
University of Otago
Pioneering impact for mental health
Finalist
Dr Michel Nieuwoudt
University of Auckland & Luminoma Ltd
Making light work of hard problems
KCA 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
Sue Muggleston
Plant & Food Research | Bioeconomy Science Institute
A legacy of IP excellence and growing future leaders
Finalist
Arron Judson
Symply and New Zealand College of Chiropractic
Building capability, not just companies
Finalist
Amanda Davies
Bioeconomy Science Institute
Forging pathways to turn science into impact
PWC Breakthrough Project Award
This award recognises a project that demonstrates best practice commercialisation of publicly-funded research.
Winner
CAR-T Therapy
Malaghan Institute of Medical Research
Engineering the future of cancer care in New Zealand
Finalist
Ocean Intelligence
Cawthron Institute
Forecasting the future of marine farming
Finalist
Wellumio
Wellington UniVentures
Lifesaving stroke imaging when every second counts
AJ Park Commercialisation Impact Award
The commercialisation impact award celebrates excellence in research commercialisation delivering outstanding innovation performance and the potential for generating significant economic impact for New Zealand.
Winner
Potato Innovation ‘Crop 78’
Bioeconomy Science Institute
A sustainable French fry future
Finalist
Nectaron®
Bioeconomy Science Institute
Next-generation flavours brewing global success
Finalist
Zincovery
University of Canterbury
Leading the future of clean metal refining
Momentum Student Entrepreneur Award
This award recognises a highly motivated university student who looks beyond the science and sees the prize - how their idea can change the world. The student is making 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
Josiah Bugden
CourseSpy/ University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka
Creating transparency in higher education
Finalist
Jade Luxton
Steerineedle/ Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
The holster revolutionising livestock vaccinations
Finalist
Emmalee Abbott Joe
FROTH/ Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Making travel more sustainable, one haircare tablet at a time
Other Videos
Taking Scientific Discoveries to Market
How the 2025 finalists feel about creating impact from Kiwi science.
Judges Introduction
Introduction to the Judges of the 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards