2024 KiwiNet Awards celebrate innovation in New Zealand

The 2024 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards winners have been announced, recognising their achievements in converting scientific research into impactful technologies and businesses across various sectors.

The Auckland Awards event celebrated winners whose innovations include producing animal-free dairy proteins, developing high-protein oat milk powder, creating a plant-based polystyrene alternative, and using Medtech AI for eye examinations. Additionally, they recognised advancements in engineering for improved health and building resilience.

The KiwiNet Awards distinguish deep tech contributors in New Zealand, including entrepreneurs and professionals who leverage research from universities and Crown Research Institutes to generate significant economic and societal outcomes. The awards highlight the success of these individuals and teams in creating valuable new products and services.

Emma Arvidson from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury won the Momentum Student Entrepreneur Award for her high-protein oat milk powder with significant impact. Emily McIsaac from Daisy Lab/ Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University received the Sprout Agritech Breakthrough Innovator Award for producing dairy proteins without cows.

Distinguished Professor Geoff Chase from the University of Canterbury was awarded the BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award for his engineering contributions to better medicine and infrastructure resilience. Ben Pearson from UniServices received the KCA Commercialisation Rising Star Award for fostering exceptional collaborative outcomes.

The PwC Breakthrough Project Award was given to ZealaFoam from AgResearch/Plant & Food Research/Scion for innovating a sustainable plant-based polystyrene substitute. Toku Eyes and Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, received the AJ Park Commercialisation Impact Award for their MedTech AI that uses the eye to indicate overall health.

The highest accolade, Commercialisation Icon, was awarded to Melissa Yiannoutsos of Booster NZ, acknowledging her leadership in advancing New Zealand's science commercialisation landscape.

KiwiNet CEO Dr James Hutchinson remarked, "Our 2024 winners are shining examples of how New Zealand's public research, combined with exceptional commercialisation leadership, can drive both 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."

Cather Simpson, a KiwiNet Awards judge, commented, "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. These innovations have the potential to drive significant economic, environmental and societal change. Choosing winners wasn't easy—every finalist impressed us with their impact and ingenuity. We're excited to celebrate their achievements and look forward to their future successes."

This year's judging panel included experienced leaders from industry and academia, ensuring a robust evaluation process of the innovative projects presented. The awards underscore the important role of collaborative efforts in transforming research into practical solutions with wide-reaching benefits.

Nic Blakeley, Deputy Secretary Labour, Science, and Enterprise at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, added, "Congratulations to the winners of this year's KiwiNet Awards. New Zealand is home to excellent science and research, and the winners today have each demonstrated success in commercialising science outputs to produce real-world impacts. These innovations will benefit our environment, health, and economy into the future, growing New Zealand for all."