Strategic partnerships signal new collaborations

12 August 2013

Strategic partnerships signal new collaborations in innovation

Callaghan Innovation has entered four new strategic partnerships to strengthen collaboration across the innovation system and help firms turn their ideas into new products and services faster.

Callaghan Innovation Chief Executive Mary Quin said the strategic partnerships between Callaghan Innovation and KiwiNet, Lincoln Agritech, Scion and Auckland Uniservices Ltd are a significant step forward for Callaghan Innovation and the New Zealand innovation system.

Callaghan Innovation, which was established in February 2013, has committed to working closely with strategic partners across the innovation system to identify joint initiatives to facilitate growth in the New Zealand economy.

"We will be meeting with each of our new strategic partners to look for opportunities to help New Zealand firms innovate, develop new or improved products and services more quickly, and to grow faster as a result" Dr Quin said.

"These are the first of many strategic partnerships. We will be actively initiating discussions with other universities, commercialisation centres and CRIs to develop opportunities for collaboration, with the focus on accelerating commercialisation of innovation by firms in New Zealand. Our focus is to have strong working relationships with organisations right across the innovation system."

Dr Quin acknowledged the important contribution that Uniservices, Lincoln Agritech, Scion and KiwiNet are each making to the New Zealand innovation system and said Callaghan Innovation looked forward to identifying new opportunities for further collaboration with each of them.

"These partnerships will deliver true value for New Zealand firms, helping to connect them with an integrated innovation system where they have access to globally excellent research, development and commercialisation services."

Each of the partnerships has been formalised with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by each party.

Callaghan Innovation's relationships across the innovation system will ensure 'no wrong door' for businesses needing innovation services, advice and support from Callaghan Innovation, other research and technical services providers and government sector partners.

ENDS

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