Winners of the 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards were honoured at a gala event in Auckland Wednesday night 22nd October for their success in transforming scientific discoveries and new technologies into innovative solutions with global impact, driving New Zealand’s future.
Winners’ innovations include space technology, clean-tech innovations, CAR-T therapy breakthroughs for cancer treatment, a university course guidance platform, and an innovative new potato variety for sustainable French fries. KiwiNet’s Commercialisation Icon and Commercialisation Professional were also honoured.
The KiwiNet Awards celebrate New Zealand’s deep tech talent - research entrepreneurs, innovators, and commercialisation professionals - who translate 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 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards winners are:
Momentum Student Entrepreneur Award
- Josiah Bugden – CourseSpy/ University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka: Creating transparency in higher education
Ara Ake Breakthrough Innovator Award
- 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 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 | Bioeconomy Science Institute: A legacy of IP excellence and growing future leaders
PwC Breakthrough Project Award
- CAR-T Therapy – Malaghan Institute of Medical Research: Engineering the future of cancer care in New Zealand
AJ Park Commercialisation Impact Award
- Potato Innovation ‘Crop 78’– Bioeconomy Science Institute: A sustainable French fry future
KiwiNet Commercialisation Icon Award, sponsored by Sprout Agritech
- Suse Reynolds – start-up investor/ former Chair and Executive Director, Angel Association New Zealand: Championing New Zealand innovation, investment and impact
KiwiNet CEO Dr James Hutchinson says, “Our 2025 winners are proof that when world-class research is backed by vision and action, it becomes a force for real change. Their work spans sectors critical to our economy and the planet – showing the importance of science-led innovation in driving New Zealand’s future. But the KiwiNet Awards don’t just spotlight individual success, they celebrate a commercialisation ecosystem growing in maturity, ambition and impact. Now more than ever, it’s essential we increase support to this sector, so we can all reap the rewards from New Zealand science for years to come.”
KiwiNet Awards judge Melissa Yiannoutsos says, “The 2025 KiwiNet Awards winners show the remarkable depth and breadth of innovation across the country. Judging wasn’t easy - every finalist stood out for their vision, passion, and leadership. It was amazing to see how they are not only delivering real-world impact, but also inspiring others and helping embed a culture of entrepreneurship within our research system. Our nation’s researchers and entrepreneurs are earning recognition akin to our sports champions, both driving pride and progress and showing that innovation is fast becoming part of our Kiwi identity. We’re building on years of research momentum to grow a thriving innovation sector to drive even greater impacts into the future.”
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.
Nic Blakeley, Deputy Secretary Labour, Science, and Enterprise at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, says, “The KiwiNet Awards winners demonstrate how research, when connected with industry, can lead to meaningful change. Their achievements show the value of commercialisation in turning ideas into impact, driving innovation, supporting economic growth and delivering benefits for New Zealand. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s awards.”
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, AJ Park, and Ara Ake, 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 was held alongside the inaugural Auckland Startup Week, which shines a spotlight on the people, ideas and companies building New Zealand’s global reputation for innovation.
