2024 Awards Finalists

The KiwiNet Awards celebrate heroes in research commercialisation — those individuals and organisations whose best practice approach is changing the innovation landscape in New Zealand. We congratulate the 2024 finalists!

View the press release

Momentum Student Entrepreneur Finalists

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.

Emma ArvidsonEmma Arvidson
– Teiny / University Of Canterbury

High protein oat milk powder – small changes, big impact

Jean-luc EllisJean-luc Ellis
– WasteXpert / University of Auckland

Reducing construction and demolition waste and excess expenditure

Jenny ZhuJenny Zhu
LineBuddy / University Of Canterbury

Umpiring ball monitoring tech for accurate line calls

Sprout Breakthrough Innovator Finalists

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.

Emily McIsaacEmily McIsaac
Daisy Lab / Massey University

Making dairy proteins – without the cows

Cynthia HunefeldCynthia Hunefeld
Evithé Biotechnology/ Victoria University of Wellington

Putting nature back into medicine with botanical drugs

Dr Jack ChenDr Jack Chen
Spherelose/ AUT

Sustainable surfactants for a brighter future

BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Finalists

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.

Distinguished Professor Harjinder SinghDistinguished Professor Harjinder Singh
Riddet Institute / Massey University

Research entrepreneurship icon and food science leader

Distinguished Professor Geoff ChaseDistinguished Professor Geoff Chase
University of Canterbury

Engineering better medicine and a more resilient New Zealand

KCA Commercialisation Rising Star Finalists

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.

Ella MoffatElla Moffat
Massey Ventures

An emerging leader in the commercialisation ecosystem

Ben PearsonBen Pearson
UniServices

Building connections and collaboration for exceptional outcomes

Abi ThampiAbi Thampi
AUT Ventures

A highly effective and relatable commercialisation champion

PwC Breakthrough Project Finalists

This award recognises a project that demonstrates best practice commercialisation of publicly-funded research.

ANDFOODSANDFOODS
Riddet Institute/ Massey University/ Massey Ventures

Breakthrough dairy-alternatives taking the world by storm

CetogenixCetogenix
Pacific Channel/ Scion

Building renewable futures — with no waste left behind

Kitea HealthKitea Health
Auckland Bioengineering Institute/ University of Auckland

World-first implantable brain sensor set to transform patients’ lives

ZealaFoamZealaFoam®
AgResearch/ Plant & Food Research/ Scion

Breaking the mould with sustainable plant-based polystyrene replacement

AJ Park Commercialisation Impact Finalists

The commercialisation impact award celebrates excellence in research commercialisation delivering outstanding innovation performance and the potential for generating significant economic impact for New Zealand.

NovoLabs and Massey VenturesNovoLabs and Massey Ventures

Advanced UV technology bringing cleaner water to the world.

Toku Eyes and University of AucklandToku Eyes and University of Auckland

Medtech AI: Using the eye as a window to our health

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