2026 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 Dominic Moseley
Paihau-Robinson Research Institute
Supercharging the commercialisation of superconductivity
Finalist
Dr Imran Khan Niazi
New Zealand College of Chiropractic
Powering commercialisation breakthroughs in neurological research
Finalist
Dr Jake Campbell
Zuuka / University of Canterbury
Making insulin drug delivery work for real life
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
Professor Matthew Watson
University of Canterbury
Driving new industries for a lower-emissions future
Finalist
Dr Linda Johnson
Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao
Turning agricultural research into tools that farmers trust
Finalist
Dr David White
New Zealand College of Chiropractic
Breathing new life into accessible health solutions for New Zealanders
Commercialisation Rising Star Award
This award recognises an entrepreneurial early-mid career commercialisation professional working within a New Zealand research organisation who is actively supporting research innovations to generate significant real-world impact.
Winner
Dr Dan Carlisle
Massey University & Massey Ventures
A committed champion for early commercialisation professionals
Finalist
Mick Riley
Forever Harvest / Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao
Making the science of cultivated fruit a commercial reality
Finalist
Sam Wojcik
Wellington Univentures
Fostering new ventures and new talent for lasting impact
Breakthrough Project Award
This award recognises a project that demonstrates best practice commercialisation of publicly-funded research.
Winner
Scentian Bio
Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao
The future of sensing technology
Finalist
Liquium
Victoria University of Wellington & Wellington Univentures
A new frontier for industrial ammonia production
Finalist
Nurox Hydrothermal
University of Auckland / UniServices
Unlocking value from hazardous waste
Finalist
Captivate Technology
Massey University & Massey Ventures
Next generation materials for industrial carbon capture
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
C-Dax Pasture Meter
Massey University
Decades of agri-innovation and international impact
Finalist
Endophyte AR37
Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao
Market-led endophytes delivering resilient, profitable pastures
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
Zac Hemmings
Cluttr /University of Canterbury
Turning household clutter into a business opportunity
Finalist
Omar Mourad
NextPlay / University of Auckland
Creating an alternative to sports betting without the financial risk
Finalist
Mark Campbell
Lensare / University of Canterbury
A bright idea protecting those with light-sensitive conditions
Other Videos
Taking Scientific Discoveries to Market
How the 2026 finalists feel about creating impact from Kiwi science.
Judges Introduction
Introduction to the Judges of the 2026 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards