Groundbreaking research commercialisation turning science into global impact
This year’s 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards celebrate 18 exceptional finalists leading the charge in turning bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs. These pioneers are translating cutting-edge research from universities, Crown Research Institutes, and research organisations into powerful technologies, thriving businesses, and tangible economic benefits for Aotearoa and beyond.
The KiwiNet Awards shine a spotlight on New Zealand’s deep tech talent - research entrepreneurs, innovators, and commercialisation professionals. This year’s diverse finalists include innovations such as a portable stroke detection device, a biological forecasting platform for marine farmers, sustainable haircare tablets, a university course guidance platform, space technology, skin cancer diagnostics technology, and plant and food breakthroughs ranging from hops to potatoes. Other highlights include marine biofuel, clean-tech innovations, animal vaccination technologies, a breakthrough drug for depression and anxiety, decarbonised metal refining, wearable health tech, and CAR-T therapy breakthroughs for cancer treatment.
KiwiNet CEO Dr James Hutchinson says, “These finalists represent the cutting edge of innovation, turning world-class science into high-value, high-growth ventures with real impact for New Zealand. From pioneering medical treatments to clean tech, sustainable food production and space innovation, they show how science can tackle real-world challenges — growing our economy, boosting productivity, and doing good in our communities. The KiwiNet Awards highlight the powerful returns delivered by research commercialisation, with every $1 invested in PreSeed Accelerator Funding generating $13 in economic value for Aotearoa.”
The 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards finalists are:
Momentum Student Entrepreneur Award
- Emmalee Abbott Joe – FROTH/ Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: Making travel more sustainable, one haircare tablet at a time
- Josiah Bugden – CourseSpy/ University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka: Creating transparency in higher education
- Jade Luxton – Steerineedle/ Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: The holster revolutionising livestock vaccinations
- François-Xavier Collard – Scion, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: Pioneering biofuel for a greener maritime future
- Dr Patricia Rubio-Reyes – Malaghan Institute of Medical Research: Improving cell therapy control to fight cancer
- Dr Ben Mallett – The MacDiarmid Institute, Wellington UniVentures, Paihau Robinson Research Institute: Propelling New Zealand to the frontiers of deep space
BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award
- Professor Paul Glue – University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka: Pioneering impact for mental health
- Dr Michel Nieuwoudt – Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland/ Luminoma Ltd: Making light work of hard problems
- Professor Aaron Marshall – Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury/ MacDiarmid Institute: An inspiring visionary in clean-tech innovation
KCA Commercialisation Professional Award
- Sue Muggleston – Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: A legacy of IP excellence and growing future leaders
- Arron Judson – Symply/ New Zealand College of Chiropractic: Building capability, not just companies
- Amanda Davies: Scion, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: Forging pathways to turn science into impact
PwC Breakthrough Project Award
- Wellumio – Wellington UniVentures: Lifesaving stroke imaging when every second counts
- CAR-T Therapy – Malaghan Institute of Medical Research: Engineering the future of cancer care in New Zealand
- Ocean Intelligence – Cawthron Institute: Forecasting the future of marine farming
AJ Park Commercialisation Impact Award
- Zincovery and Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: Leading the future of clean metal refining
- Potato Innovation ‘Crop 78’ – Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: A sustainable French fry future
- Nectaron® and Plant & Food Research, a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute: Next-generation flavours brewing global success
KiwiNet Awards judge Greg Sitters says, “This year’s finalists stood out for their diversity, sharper commercial focus, and growing awareness of how their science can tackle global challenges while delivering tangible benefits for New Zealand. It’s exciting to see this shift, as it reflects the increasing maturity and diversity of our research commercialisation ecosystem, which will continue to offer vital expertise to support researchers to deliver outputs through the Awards process and beyond. Collaboration remains the ecosystem’s greatest strength - but to fully unlock the economic and societal potential of research innovation and contribute meaningfully to New Zealand’s growth agenda, further investment is essential.”
The 2025 KiwiNet Awards judging panel comprises Greg Sitters - Managing Partner at Matū Group; Melissa Yiannoutsos - Innovation Fund Manager, Booster NZ; Nadine Williams - CE & Founder, Instinct Lab NZ; David Beard - Partner at Movac; Adiraj Gupta - Entrepreneur & Founder, Sendd.
The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) is a consortium of universities, Crown Research Institutes, an Independent Research Organisation and a Crown Entity established to boost commercial outcomes from publicly funded research by helping to transform scientific discoveries into new products and services.
The 2025 KiwiNet Awards are supported by MBIE, PwC NZ, Sprout Agritech, BNZ, KCA, Campus Plus and AJ Park, as well as Return On Science, Momentum, and the sponsors of the Momentum Student Entrepreneur award, Icehouse Ventures, Angel Association and Emerge.
This year, the KiwiNet Awards will be held alongside the inaugural Auckland Startup Week, which will shine a spotlight on the people, ideas and companies building New Zealand’s global reputation for innovation. KiwiNet Awards winners for 2025 will be announced at an evening reception on 22 October.
