From breakthrough health technologies and smarter food production to clean-tech, agritech and space innovation, the 18 finalists in the 2026 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards showcase the very best of Aotearoa New Zealand's science-led innovation.
Representing universities, Crown Research Institutes, research organisations and innovative companies, the finalists are transforming world-class research into solutions creating new ventures, emerging industries, and lasting economic and societal benefit.
In the spotlight this year are advances in drug delivery, space technology, medtech and neurotechnology, low-emission carbon capture, hydrogen-based ironmaking, pasture protection and metering, cellular horticulture, cleantech for industrial and waste processing, and even an 'insect nose on a chip'. The awards also celebrate the commercialisation professionals, research entrepreneurs and innovative teams helping bring these breakthroughs to market.
KiwiNet CEO Dr James Hutchinson says the finalists are the standout performers of New Zealand's research commercialisation sector, transforming world-class research into innovations that improve lives, strengthen industries and grow the economy.
"These successes do not happen overnight. They are the result of years of deep research, expert commercialisation support and entrepreneurial drive, all focused on getting breakthrough innovations to market. Together, they demonstrate the extraordinary depth of knowledge, talent, ideas and potential we have in New Zealand to create global impact from research discoveries.
“With the Government’s recent boost to commercialisation funding, there is an opportunity to back even more of these innovators and high-value businesses to do great things, helping build a more productive, stable, and globally competitive economy.”
The 2026 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards finalists are:
Momentum Student Entrepreneur Award
- Mark Campbell – Lensare/ Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: A bright idea protecting those with light-sensitive conditions
- Omar Mourad - NextPlay / Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland: A free-to-play live sports prediction and engagement game
- Zac Hemmings - Cluttr/ Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: Turning household clutter into a business opportunity
- Dr Jake Campbell – Zuuka/ Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: Making insulin drug delivery work for real life
- Dr Imran Khan Niazi – New Zealand College of Chiropractic: Powering commercialisation breakthroughs in neurological research
- Dr Dominic Moseley – Paihau-Robinson Research Institute: Supercharging the commercialisation of superconductivity
BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award
- Dr Linda Johnson – Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao: Turning agricultural research into tools that farmers trust
- Prof Matthew Watson – Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: Driving new industries for a lower-emissions future
- Dr David White – New Zealand College of Chiropractic: Breathing new life into accessible health solutions for New Zealanders
KCA Commercialisation Rising Star Award
- Dr Dan Carlisle – Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University and Massey Ventures: A committed champion for early commercialisation professionals
- Mick Riley – Forever Harvest/ Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao: Making the science of cultivated fruit a commercial reality
- Sam Wojcik – Wellington UniVentures: Fostering new ventures and new talent for lasting impact
PwC Breakthrough Project Award
- Captivate Technology – Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University and Massey Ventures: Next‑generation materials for industrial carbon capture
- Liquium – Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of New Zealand and Wellington UniVentures: A new frontier for industrial ammonia production
- Nurox – Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland: Unlocking value from hazardous waste
- Scentian Bio – Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao: The future of sensing technology
Cytiva Commercialisation Impact Award
- C-Dax Pasture Meter – Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University: Decades of agri-innovation and international impact
- Endophyte AR37 – Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao: Market-led endophytes delivering resilient, profitable pastures
KiwiNet Awards judge Melissa Yiannoutsos says, “Each year, I’m struck by the exceptional quality of applications coming through the KiwiNet Awards, and this year was no exception. They offer an important window into the depth, ambition, and ingenuity of New Zealand’s scientific talent. This made it a genuinely tough job for the judging panel, reflecting not just the breadth of the underpinning science, but also the clear market relevance and the calibre of the people driving these innovations forward. It’s a timely reminder of how critical it is for New Zealand to keep investing in both fundamental and applied science to help drive our future prosperity and economic growth.”
The 2026 KiwiNet Awards judging panel comprises Melissa Yiannoutsos - Innovation Fund Manager, Booster NZ; Aaron Marshall - Co-founder, Zethos and Ternary; Bridgit Hawkins - CEO, Humble Bee Bio; Hanie Yee - Health-tech Commercialisation Leader; and Thomas Bryan - Momentum & Return on Science Committee Member.
Anna Clark, Deputy Secretary Labour, Science, and Enterprise at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, says, “The KiwiNet Awards finalists exemplify how research can have real-world impact. Their success highlights the value of commercialisation and strong science-industry partnerships in supporting economic growth and delivering benefits for New Zealand.”
The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) unites 14 universities and public research institutes – representing 80% of Aotearoa’s publicly funded researchers – in an internationally recognised and unique collaborative model established to fast-track scientific breakthroughs to market. By helping to transform scientific discoveries into new products and services, KiwiNet and its shareholders are driving world-changing innovation and economic returns for New Zealand.
The 2026 KiwiNet Awards are supported by MBIE, PwC NZ, Sprout Agritech, BNZ, KCA, AJ Park, and Cytiva, as well as Return On Science, Momentum, and the sponsors of the Momentum Student Entrepreneur of the Year award CueGo, Gravity Events, The Lighthouse, and UniServices.
The KiwiNet Awards winners for 2026 will be announced at an evening reception on 8 October.
