KiwiNet News 12 May 2014

Top companies back KiwiNet's drive to transform research into commercial value

Hamilton, 12 May 2014

The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet), a consortium of 13 universities, Crown Research Institutes and a Crown Entity established to boost commercial outcomes from publicly funded research, has announced key sponsorship support from BNZ, AJ Park and MinterEllisonRuddWatts .

"KiwiNet is helping public research organisations turn great research discoveries and innovations into commercial success by providing them access to the tools, connections, investment and support they need," says KiwiNet General Manager Dr Bram Smith.

"A key part of this is having a vibrant network of collaborators and supporters to ensure organisations have the best opportunity to develop their ideas to an investor ready stage. Sponsorship support from Strategic Partner, BNZ and Major Partners AJ Park and MinterEllisonRuddWatts will help KiwiNet build awareness and inspire research commercialisation success as well as provide access to networks including businesses and entrepreneurs interested in new innovations," says Smith.

BNZ Director – Value Chain, Jason Lewthwaite says the future of New Zealand's economy lies in our ability to turn good ideas into commercial businesses. In providing much needed access to tools, investment and support, KiwiNet is providing greater opportunity for New Zealand businesses to develop higher value products and services."

Pete Boyle, Chief Executive at AJ Park, New Zealand's leading intellectual property (IP) law firm says, "Every day we get to work alongside New Zealanders who transform their ideas into innovative products and services. We're proud to support KiwiNet's research commercialisation activities as they help New Zealand businesses commercialise their IP and achieve greater impact from their innovations."

Mark Weenink, Managing Partner from top tier New Zealand law firm MinterEllisonRuddWatts , says, "KiwiNet's collaborative approach to knowledge sharing and commercialising innovation is creating many new success stories for New Zealand. Technical excellence and innovation is at the heart of what we do – so we're very pleased to support KiwiNet's endeavours."

The pinnacle of KiwiNet activities is the annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards designed to put the spotlight on the people and research organisations changing the commercialisation landscape in New Zealand. In addition to support from key sponsors BNZ, AJ Park and MinterEllisonRuddWatts the awards, to be held on 11 June in Auckland, is also supported by Sciencelens, a high quality photographic service specialising in the science, industry and technology domains.

KiwiNet (www.kiwinet.org.nz) partner organisations include WaikatoLink, Plant & Food Research, Otago Innovation Ltd, Lincoln University, AUT Enterprises, AgResearch, University of Canterbury, Callaghan Innovation, Viclink, Landcare Research, Cawthron Institute, ESR and NIWA. Principal support is provided by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE).