At the 12th annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, deep tech companies were the heroes on the night as they discover solutions to real-world challenges.
Innovations such as animal-free dairy proteins, plant-based polystyrene replacement, medtech AI for eye exams and so much more are the winners at the 2024 KiwiNet Awards.
This years awards celebrate New Zealand’s deep tech heroes who have been driving significant economic and societal benefits for the country.
CEO of KiwiNet, Dr James Hutchinson says that the winners are “shining examples” of how New Zealand’s capability in research, commercialisation, economic growth and meaningful solutions to global challenges.
“The KiwiNet Awards do more than recognise outstanding projects—they celebrate the collective strength of our innovation community. As our sector matures and momentum builds, we must keep pushing forward to amplify the impact of New Zealand’s science on the world stage,” he adds.
At the awards the Commercialisation Icon is the highest honour and was awarded to Melissa Yiannoutsos of Booster NZ.
She has been awarded for championing New Zealand’s research commercialisation community and making an impact on the ecosystem and advancing the commercialisation of publicly funded research within the country.
The judging panel for the awards comprised of Cather Simpson, CEO of Orbis Diagnostics and Partner at Pacific Channel, Greg Sitters, Managing Partner at Matū Group, Guy Royal, Director of Tuia Group, Suse Reynolds, Angel Investor and Olivia Ogilvie, CEO and co-founder of Opo Bio.
Other award winners include Emily McIsaac of Daisy Lab for taking Sprout Agritech Breakthrough Innovator Award, Emma Arvidson of Teiny for taking Momentum Student Entrepreneur and Toku Eyes and Waipapa Taumata Rau of Medtech AI for taking the AJ Park Commercialisation Impact Award.
Read more: Celebrating Kiwi innovation at the 2023 KiwiNet Awards
“The 2024 KiwiNet Awards finalists are a testament to the depth and diversity of innovation in Aotearoa. These exceptional projects highlight how long-term investment and collaboration across our ecosystem are now delivering real returns for New Zealand,” says judge Cather Simpson.
“These innovations have the potential to drive significant economic, environmental and societal change.”
Winners of the 2024 KiwiNet Awards
Momentum Student Entrepreneur
Emma Arvidson – Teiny/ Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: High protein oat milk powder with impact
Sprout Agritech Breakthrough Innovator Award
Emily McIsaac – Daisy Lab/ Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University: Making dairy proteins – without the cows
BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award
Distinguished Professor Geoff Chase – Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury: Engineering better medicine and a more resilient New Zealand
KCA Commercialisation Rising Star
Ben Pearson – UniServices: Building connections and collaboration for exceptional
PwC Breakthrough Project Award
ZealaFoam® – AgResearch/ Plant & Food Research/ Scion: Breaking the mould with sustainable plant-based polystyrene replacement
AJ Park Commercialisation Impact Award
Toku Eyes and Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland: Medtech AI: Using the eye as a window to our health
Commercialisation Icon
Melissa Yiannoutsos, Booster NZ: A transformative leader in New Zealand’s science and commercialisation ecosystem
