Empowering future leaders: Kiri’s OnBoard journey
30 April 2025 - News
Kiri Lenagh-Glue shares her experience in the OnBoard programme—an initiative designed to grow the next generation of independent board directors.
KiwiNet News
Stay updated with the latest media releases, stories of innovation, and KiwiNet in the news
Seizing the opportunity: Shaping a stronger future for research commercialisation in New Zealand
28 February 2025 - News
As Aotearoa’s science system undergoes major reforms, we ask the crucial question: how can we seize this opportunity to build a system that drives even greater innovation and impact?
Investing in innovation: A win for New Zealand
16 December 2024 - News
An outcomes report released last week by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) highlights the remarkable economic impact generated by New Zealand’s sustained investment into research commercialisation.
KiwiNet Emerging Innovator Programme named finalist in KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards
15 October 2024 - News
KiwiNet's Emerging Innovator Programme has earned a finalist spot in the 2024 KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards, a nod to its efforts in bridging the gap between New Zealand science and business.
Rotorua’s ZealaFoam wins Breakthrough Project at KiwiNet Awards 2024 - nzherald.co.nz
10 October 2024 - KiwiNet in the News
A small eco-packaging company from Rotorua has developed a plant-based polystyrene alternative it says will be ready for the world market next month.
2024 KiwiNet Awards Winners: Deep tech heroes turning science into impact
09 October 2024 - Media Release
Winners of the 12th annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards were honoured at a gala event in Auckland tonight for their success in transforming scientific discoveries into new technologies, businesses and real-world solutions. Winners’ innovations include animal-free dairy proteins, high protein oat milk powder, a plant-based polystyrene replacement, medtech AI for eye exams, and advanced engineering innovations for health and building resilience.
Women in deep tech: The founders changing the face of innovation
06 September 2024 - News
From medical devices to sustainable packaging and custom-fit bras, these trailblazing women are breaking new ground in deep tech. Discover their startup journeys and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Growth and acclaim in stride for UV water treatment innovation - Stuff.co.nz
03 September 2024 - KiwiNet in the News
Growth and acclaim are both surging for a hi-tech venture disinfecting liquids at high speed with ultraviolet light. Fresh from turning heads at an industry show in Germany, Palmerston North-based Novolabs has been named a finalist for the KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards.
Dairy-free lentil cream looks and tastes the part - Stuff.co.nz
02 September 2024 - KiwiNet in the News
A whipping cream made from lentils is about to go to the commercial market. Palmerston North startup company Andfoods has created a cream from lentils using fermentation technology, and it looks and tastes similar to traditional dairy cream.
2024 KiwiNet Awards Finalists: Turning science discoveries into innovative real-world solutions
29 August 2024 - Media Release
The 12th annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards celebrates 18 finalists who are transforming scientific discoveries into new technologies, businesses and real-world solutions.
2023 KiwiNet Awards winners: research innovations making an impact for Aotearoa
28 September 2023 - Media Release
Winners of the 11th annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards were celebrated at a gala event in Auckland tonight for their vision and success in turning science discoveries into transformative new technologies for the world.
The Spinoff: Meet the people taking science to the marketplace
27 September 2023 - KiwiNet in the News
For New Zealand scientists trying to solve big-picture problems, turning them into commercial businesses is often an afterthought. Vanessa Young from the MacDiarmid Institute talks to some of the scientists navigating this journey about how key people have helped them along their way.
2023 KiwiNet Awards Finalists: Celebrating research innovation with real-world impact
31 August 2023 - Media Release
The 11th annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards celebrates 18 impressive finalists bringing transformative new technologies to the world by commercialising scientific discoveries within New Zealand's universities, Crown Research Institutes and other research organisations.
Turning Kiwi researchers into science superheroes: KiwiNet hits 100 Emerging Innovator milestone
21 August 2023 - Media Release
From the world’s first ‘camera for smell’ to breast screening tech: KiwiNet’s entrepreneurial researcher programme is sparking technology commercialisation and new science careers
KiwiNet has a fresh look
03 July 2023 - Media Release
As we move forward with new opportunities, new ideas, and a bigger and brighter vision for Aotearoa's commercialisation sector, it was time to move our brand forward too.
2022 KiwiNet Awards winners: research innovations making an impact for Aotearoa
06 October 2022 - Media Release
Winners of the 10th annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards were celebrated at a gala event in Auckland tonight for their vision and success in taking life-changing research discoveries to market.
KiwiNet appoints new board chair to oversee continued success in accelerating deep tech innovations to market
23 September 2022 - Media Release
The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) today announced the appointment of Dr Will Barker as the new Board Chair to steer the organisation as it continues to create benefits for New Zealand through publicly-funded research commercialisation. An independent board member since 2018, Dr Barker, Founder and CEO of Mint Innovation, advisor and company director, succeeds Ngaio Merrick.
2022 KiwiNet Awards Finalists: The NZ research heroes and their innovations that are changing our lives
18 August 2022 - Media Release
Eighteen remarkable finalists are in the spotlight for the 10th annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, which celebrate the scientific discoveries being successfully commercialised within New Zealand’s universities, Crown Research Institutes and other research organisations, and their impact on Aotearoa and beyond.
Emerging Innovators Voice: response to Te Ara Paerangi
16 May 2022 - Media Release
Emerging Innovators Voice: response to Te Ara Paerangi - Future Pathways Consultation.
Future Pathways Consultation Process
03 May 2022 - Media Release
KiwiNet’s response to Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways Consultation Process - a multi-year programme focused on the future of New Zealand’s research system.
New Zealand science is changing the scales of global climate justice
26 April 2022 - Media Release
Talented entrepreneurial scientists, engineers and CEOs presented their technologies and businesses to Hon James Shaw at an exclusive showcase with KiwiNet in Wellington today. The Minister for Climate Change, Associate Minister for the Environment explored the early-stage New Zealand projects, products and companies which have the potential to move the scales of global climate justice.
2021 KiwiNet Awards Winners Announced
30 November 2021 - Media Release
Terrific trajectories of New Zealand’s ambitious deep tech talent have been shared today during the ninth annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards. Winners, chosen from an impressive breadth and depth of technologies, are relentless founders, high energy scientists, competent and collaborative change-makers and visionaries. They represent the top echelon of the entrepreneurial science community. The inaugural Commercialisation Icon was also honoured.
Turning Kiwi Scientists into Superheroes
01 October 2021 - Media Release
KiwiNet has kicked off its first ever public fundraising campaign “Turning Kiwi Scientists into Superheroes”.
Marking ten years of collaboration
06 September 2021 - Media Release
This year marks ten years since the formation of KiwiNet, New Zealand’s national network of public R&D providers
2021 KiwiNet Awards Finalists: Saluting NZ’s world-class research, creating business impact
02 August 2021 - Media Release
Sixteen stunning finalists have been selected for the ninth annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, designed to celebrate impact from science through successful research commercialisation within New Zealand’s universities, Crown Research Institutes and other research organisations.
Minister lauds entrepreneurial drive advancing the commercialisation of New Zealand's deep tech research
11 June 2021 - Media Release
KiwiNet and Wellington UniVentures were thrilled to host Hon Dr Megan Woods at Victoria University of Wellington - Te Herenga Waka last week for a private viewing of deep tech research and start-ups coming out of New Zealand’s public research organisations
Clarospec and KarbenFibre hit Supernode success
13 May 2021 - Media Release
The Clarospec and KarbenFibre teams of entrepreneurial researchers took out top tier awards at the 2021 Food, Fibre & Agritech Supernode Challenge finals this week.
Report lifts the bonnet on NZ’s research commercialisation landscape
19 April 2021 - Media Release
‘Real Life Practices Report’, a first of its kind commissioned by Kiwi Innovation Network and delivered by BioPacific Partners, has canvassed 20 of New Zealand Universities, Crown Research Institutes and independent science research organisations on the challenges and opportunities of nuturing scientific research into marketable products.
Deep-tech champion joins KiwiNet board
15 April 2021 - Media Release
KiwiNet announces director and board observer appointments. KiwiNet has appointed deep-tech champion Vignesh Kumar to its board of directors as an additional independent board member.
Programme to Raise Women of Science to Governance Roles
10 March 2021 - Media Release
KiwiNet is excited to be a delivery partner for the first Women in Leadership Development (WILD) programme in New Zealand. WILD NZ offers ten women a six-month programme covering mentorship, Board experience, board room dynamics, finance, risk, and strategy.
KiwiNet CEO, James Hutchinson’s, interview by Dominic George about the launch of the Food Fibre and Agritech Supernode Challenge
02 December 2020 - KiwiNet in the News
James Hutchinson was interviewed on the Magic radio station for the Rural Today segment.
Challenge To Accelerate Innovation In The Food, Fibre And Agritech Sector - scoop.co.nz
30 November 2020 - KiwiNet in the News
The need for transformative innovation in the food, fibre and agritech sector is at the core of the latest Supernode Challenge which is now open to applications. The Food, Fibre and Agritech Supernode Challenge, presented by ChristchurchNZ, KiwiNet, AgResearch and the Canterbury Mayoral Forum, seeks to accelerate ideas for disruptive solutions to some of New Zealand’s most pressing challenges.
2020 KiwiNet Awards Winners Announced
15 October 2020 - Media Release
Winners of the eighth annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, designed to celebrate impact from science through successful research commercialisation within New Zealand’s universities, Crown Research Institutes and other research organisations, were announced at a reception in Auckland tonight
2020 KiwiNet Awards Finalists: NZ’s world-class research innovation revealed
27 August 2020 - Media Release
Twelve stunning finalists have been selected for the eighth annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, designed to celebrate impact from science through successful research commercialisation within New Zealand’s universities, Crown Research Institutes and other research organisations.
X-Frame for waste free buildings gets commercialisation boost
15 November 2019 - Media Release
Clip-together modular building design can be rapidly assembled, disassemled and reused, eliminating waste during a building’s lifecycle.
The Kiwi business bringing nature back to modern medicine - thespinoff.co.nz
15 September 2019 - KiwiNet in the News
Antibiotics are becoming increasingly less effective, so what treatments can we look to when the drugs stop working? With help from plant extracts, award-winning company HerbScience is seeking to breathe new life into how we treat bacterial infections.
New website for Northland Tōtara Industry Pilot project - scoop.co.nz
14 August 2019 - KiwiNet in the News
This project received PreSeed funding from KiwiNet to kick start its commercialisation journey.
Project partners running a two-year study into the viability of a Northland tōtara timber industry have unveiled a website (www.totaraindustry.co.nz) to explain the project and its social, economic and environmental objectives.
2019 KiwiNet Awards Winners Announced
07 August 2019 - Media Release
Winners of the seventh annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, designed to celebrate impact from science through successful research commercialisation within New Zealand’s universities, Crown Research Institutes and other research organisations, were announced at a reception in Auckland this evening.
KiwiNet secures significant funding boost from MBIE for research commercialisation of deep tech
08 July 2019 - Media Release
Newly awarded $2.2M annual funding contract and $4.97M annual PreSeed investment will allow KiwiNet to scale up research commercialisation success.
2019 KiwiNet Awards Finalists: NZ’s top research innovation revealed
06 June 2019 - Media Release
Twelve outstanding finalists have been selected for the seventh annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, designed to celebrate impact from science through successful research commercialisation within New Zealand's universities, Crown Research Institutes and other research organisations.
Researcher creates 'smart silicone' that reacts to heat & light
18 December 2018 - Media Release
Wellington nanotechnology researcher Andreas Zeller has created new techniques to make high value smart elastic silicone by incorporating nanocrystals and quantum dots.
Turning brain scanning on its head with smaller MRIs
29 November 2018 - Media Release
Wellington researcher Ben Parkinson has received a boost from KiwiNet to help commercialise his game-changing compact superconducting magnets for smaller, next-generation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems.
Game-changing technology for 3D printing tiny structures revealed
13 November 2018 - Media Release
A new type of 3D Printing technology enabling rapid prototyping of high-resolution microscale structures has been revealed. It all started after a kick-start from KiwiNet to commercialise the technology.
New innovative rat lures attract global interest
05 November 2018 - Media Release
KiwiNet supports commercialisation of new easy-to-use, sustained-release, long-life rat lure products for global pest control market.
KiwiNet’s research commercialisation success to scale up; new chairperson and board members announced
06 September 2018 - Media Release
Ngaio Merrick takes over as KiwiNet chairperson from Hon Ruth Richardson who leaves legacy of success following $38 million KiwiNet PreSeed investment in research commercialisation.
2018 KiwiNet Awards winners showcase NZ’s best research-rich innovation
06 July 2018 - Media Release
Winners of the sixth annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, designed to celebrate impact from science through successful research commercialisation within New Zealand’s universities and Crown Research Institutes, were announced at a reception in Auckland last night.
Green chemistry project aims to create lipids for nutraceuticals
20 June 2018 - Media Release
Nelson research scientist Dr Ivan Kurtovic has received a $25,000 boost from KiwiNet’s Emerging Innovator Programme for a green chemistry project to create specialised lipids for use in nutraceutical and functional food manufacture.
2018 KiwiNet Awards finalists: NZ's best research-rich innovation uncovered
30 May 2018 - Media Release
Twelve stunning finalists have been selected for the sixth annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, designed to celebrate impact from science through successful research commercialisation within New Zealand's universities and Crown Research Institutes.
KiwiNet and Massey researcher team up to design safer e-bikes - idealog.co.nz
26 April 2018 - KiwiNet in the News
A Massey researcher has received $25K from KiwiNet to develop feedback sensors to make e-bikes safer. Could this be the next big thing for e-bikes?
Massey researcher developing e-bike safety sensors receives $25,000 boost from KiwiNet
13 April 2018 - Media Release
Massey University researcher Dr. Matthew Miller has received a $25,000 boost to develop e-bike feedback sensors that improve braking control and rider safety.