Commercialisation Partner Network Fund awarded organisations

Auckland Uniservices Limited, the commercialisation arm of the University of Auckland, have been contracted for 2 commercialisation programmes:

• Return On Science is a programme designed to increase commercial outcomes from publicly-funded research, providing access for researchers to trusted national and international networks through established investment committees.
• Momentum is a national student-led investment committee programme which provides access to world class advice, connections, and investment opportunities to students and start-ups across New Zealand.

For more information on either Return on Science or Momentum, contact:

Will Charles, Executive Director Commercialisation at UniServices Ltd: w.charles@auckland.ac.nz

Tori McNoe, Head of Return On Science, Momentum and Te Māori Investment Roopū: t.mcnoe@auckland.ac.nz

Return On Science(external link) — returnonscience.co.nz

Momentum(external link) — momentum.ac.nz

Contract value: $4,178,442 (excluding GST) 
Contract term: 2 years
Funding awarded 1 July 2019

Contract extension value: $8,356,884 (excluding GST)
Contract term: 4 years
Contract start date: 1 July 2021

Contract extension value: $4,178,442 (excluding GST)
Contract term: 2 years
Contract start date: 1 July 2025

Return On Science, a foundation partner in the Commercialisation Partner Network, is a commercialisation programme with national reach. Its staff work with New Zealand researchers seeking access to best-in-class commercialisation resources and expertise. It provides access for researchers to trusted national and international networks. Its aim is to increase both the number and quality of successful enterprises arising from New Zealand's research and its investment in R&D, both public and private.

Momentum is a programme for emerging innovators, operated by Return on Science. It currently operates in Auckland and Wellington, with further investment committees to be set up in Dunedin and Christchurch in the second half of 2019.

The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) delivers a Commercialisation Partner Network (CPN) programme that brings about a significantly-enhanced and diverse research commercialisation ecosystem that is driving forward a globally-competitive technology sector in NZ. The programme grows NZ's pipeline of commercial prospects from publicly-funded research and increases the number of projects presented to KiwiNet’s investment committees.

For more information:

KiwiNet – Empowering people who commercialise research(external link) — kiwinet.org.nz

Contract value: $4,358,638 (excluding GST)
Contract term: 2 years
Funding awarded 1 July 2019

Contract extension value: $8,717,276 (excluding GST)
Contract term: 4 years
Contract start date: 1 July 2021

Contract extension value: $4,358,638 (excluding GST)
Contract term: 2 years
Contract start date: 1 July 2025

KiwiNet is the combined power of 18 of NZ's Universities, Crown Research Institutes and other research organisations who receive public funding, representing a total combined research expenditure of over $800 million and over 80% of NZ's publicly-funded researchers. We are an internationally-renowned commercialisation leader, dedicated to taking a collaborative approach to transforming scientific discoveries into benefit to NZ. We have generated a greater than seven-fold return to NZ on funding invested, to date.

As a founding leader in the CPN, our internationally sought-after open model is a genuine collaborative forum that has been built upon mutual trust, and a willingness to work together to maximise commercial success from the most promising research discoveries across NZ.

The programme will grow NZ's pipeline of commercial prospects from publicly-funded research, increase the number of projects presented to our investment committees.

We will bring about a more diverse and vibrant science and innovation community and unlock the innovation potential of Māori knowledge, resources and people, and inspire and empower NZ's research community to commercialise their science.

We will grow the size and quality of NZ's commercialisation workforce to drive high-performance and commercial success and drive regular and early engagement with the private sector. By committing to this programme, KiwiNet is committed to a future where all publicly-funded research discoveries in NZ with commercial potential are delivering maximal impact.  The avalanche of deep-tech ventures that emerge will drive prosperity, enhance and sustain intergenerational wellbeing, and grow NZ for all.