KiwiNet Emerging Innovator Programme named finalist in KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards
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. Recognised in the Best Knowledge Exchange Initiative category, the programme inspires and nurtures Kiwi scientists with entrepreneurial DNA, fast-tracking them to commercial success.
Hamilton NZ, 15 October 2024
Since its inception in 2015, the Emerging Innovator Programme has equipped more than 160 scientists with the skills and support they need to transform their ideas into game-changing businesses, sparking 24 start-ups and attracting $46.4 million in follow-on investment. By providing training, funding, and mentorship, the programme is empowering a new generation of innovators to validate their inventions, build valuable industry connections, and turn their research into real-world impact.
Seumas McCroskery, KiwiNet's Entrepreneurship Lead, highlights the programme's role in unlocking scientists’ potential as entrepreneurs. “Scientists are already natural innovators. Our focus is to give them the mindset, tools, and networks to take their discoveries out of the lab and into the world,” he says. “The Emerging Innovator Programme helps innovators see the value of their research in a new light by exploring commercialisation as a pathway to impact.”
The programme’s impact extends beyond individual innovators and projects—it’s fostering a culture of entrepreneurship within New Zealand's universities and research institutes. By building connections and nurturing talent, the programme is creating a ripple effect of innovation across the country.
Critically, KiwiNet relies on the support and trust of commercialisation professionals to identify and nurture suitable candidates. The programme doesn’t just expand researchers’ commercial skillset; it empowers commercialisation professionals to engage with the research community, build project pipelines, and foster stronger connections between technology transfer offices and researchers.
In the past year, demand for the programme has skyrocketed, resulting in KiwiNet’s largest annual cohort to date. From its launch in 2015 with just four participants, the programme has flourished, welcoming 34 innovators in 2024 from a diverse range of organisations. Nineteen public research organisations have now had at least one Emerging Innovator, illustrating the broad appeal of this initiative.
As the Emerging Innovator Programme continues to grow in demand and influence, KiwiNet remains committed to empowering researchers with the commercial know-how and support they need to translate their innovations into impactful real-world applications.