The 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards have announced their winners for 2025.

The awards show took place on October 22 at Auckland’s Shed 10.

The aim is to celebrate scientific discoveries and technologies with global impact that are shaping New Zealand’s future.

They recognise entrepreneurs, innovators and commercialisation experts who turn research from universities, Crown Research Institutes and other organisations into real-world technologies, successful businesses and economic benefits for Aotearoa and beyond.

The winners spanned space technology, clean-tech solutions, CAR-T therapy breakthroughs for cancer treatment, a university course guidance platform and a new potato variety for sustainable French fries. KiwiNet also honoured its Commercialisation Icon and Commercialisation Professional.

KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards winners

Award	Winner	Initiative
Momentum Student Entrepreneur Award	Josiah Bugden – CourseSpy/ University of Otago	Creating transparency in higher education
BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award	Professor Aaron Marshall – University of Canterbury/ MacDiarmid Institute	An inspiring visionary in clean-tech innovation
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
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
KCA Commercialisation Professional Award	Sue Muggleston – Plant & Food Research | Bioeconomy Science Institute	A legacy of IP excellence and growing future leaders

A force for change

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.”

Turn ideas into impact

The 2025 KiwiNet Awards judging panel comprises Greg Sitters (managing partner at Matū Group), Melissa Yiannoutsos (innovation fund manager, Booster NZ), Nadine Williams (CE and founder, Instinct Lab NZ), David Beard (partner at Movac) and Adiraj Gupta (entrepreneur and 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.”

KiwiNet is a consortium of universities, Crown Research Institutes, an Independent Research Organisation and a Crown Entity that drives commercial outcomes by turning publicly funded research into new products and services.