KiwiNet launches innovation database
KiwiNet launches innovation database to promote
new technologies and research internationally
Hamilton, New Zealand -
31 January 2012 –
The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) launched its online innovation database today, enabling businesses, entrepreneurs and investors worldwide to view a diverse range of technologies and expertise in New Zealand’s research organisations. The KiwiNet Innovation Database aims to facilitate collaborations between complementary technologies and increase investor and industry connections by showcasing the commercialisation capability and distinctive portfolio of innovations New Zealand has to offer.
KiwiNet, a consortium of New
Zealand research organisations dedicated to taking a
collaborative approach to research commercialisation,
designed the database to act as a shop window to view
up-to-date research projects, inventions and patents from
across New Zealand.
Andrew Turnbull, a KiwiNet
director says, “The KiwiNet Innovation Database is
designed to jumpstart the transfer of research technology to
the marketplace by bringing together science and business.
We have a wealth of innovations in our universities and
research institutes and by opening up access and working
together we can unlock great value.”
Examples of projects seeking investors or industry involvement range from biopesticides and biologically based growth promotants, to artificial muscle materials which can allow users to power and wear devices, to unique electrochemical cells which allow cheap and effective removal of contaminants to provide clean drinking water for cattle.
Neville
Jordan, Executive Chairman of Endeavour Capital, one of New
Zealand’s leading private equity and venture capital
companies says, “We applaud KiwiNet’s approach through
the innovation database to bring together IP and
institutions to encourage a collective wisdom that is hugely
more powerful than just providing exposure to IP from
individual institutions.”
Endeavour Capital has already made several investments through KiwiNet members WaikatoLink, University of Canterbury and Otago Innovation and IRL is spearheading a major export initiative with several other institutions from KiwiNet. Mr Jordan says this collective approach to innovation, a global network and easy access for funders increases the chance of success for ventures.
KiwiNet, which receives support from the
Ministry of Science and Innovation as part of its commitment
to commercialisation, will leverage the database through
international portals to provide heightened exposure and
visibility for New Zealand research.
Dr Gavin Ross,
General Manager Business Development, Plant & Food Research,
a KiwiNet member says, “Visibility and connectedness are
vital to successful technology transfer. KiwiNet’s
national innovation portfolio approach creates greater scale
and credibility which will help us promote our technologies
on the international stage. By working collaboratively we
can also identify opportunities to combine complementary
technologies to create more investable propositions.”
The first release of the database contains innovations from many of New Zealand’s research organisations including KiwiNet members, Plant & Food Research, Otago Innovation Ltd the commercial arm of the University of Otago, Lincoln University, AUT Enterprises the commercial arm of AUT University of Technology, WaikatoLink the commercial arm of the University of Waikato, AgResearch, University of Canterbury, Industrial Research Ltd and Viclink the commercial arm of the University of Victoria along with projects from, Scion, UniServices and Landcare.
Peter Lee, CEO, UniServices says, “It makes good
sense for us to form a national portfolio of innovation,
opening up the research network in New Zealand in order to
boost commercialisation. By showcasing our technologies and
capabilities in an easy to access portal like this we can
have a greater impact internationally.”
KiwiNet will be working with users of the database to continuously refine the structure and content to best meet personal needs and preferences. The KiwiNet Innovation Database currently hosts over 70 innovations as well as profiles on the organisations, commercial and research groups, and experts who can provide valuable expert advice on technical, commercial and market issues relating to the technology. KiwiNet aims to further develop the database into a more comprehensive national innovation database.
To access
the KiwiNet Innovation Database visit