WaikatoLink Limited
WaikatoLink is the lead contractor of the UniCom Consortium. As the commercialisation office of the University of Waikato, WaikatoLink has a strong record in translating research outcomes into commercial opportunities. WaikatoLink achieves success by managing and commercialising the University’s intellectual property.
WaikatoLink works closely with industry, investors and researchers to identify and develop market opportunities for new technologies, and plays a key role in knowledge transfer for economic benefits.
Since its establishment in 2002, WaikatoLink has completed numerous licensing deals and established more than 12 start-up companies. WaikatoLink’s impressive performance is reflected in its top 5% rating when benchmarked against US university technology offices.
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
The Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is New Zealand’s newest university, offering industry-relevant education for the changing world. Areas of study within AUT reflect emerging environments and industries, with qualifications and research focused in a range of different fields.
AUT Enterprises Limited (AUTEL) is the commercialisation arm of (AUT) and works with the University’s research community to realise the full commercial potential of their ideas and technologies. The office engages with industry, investment and commercial networks to bring new technologies to market.
AUTEL was established in 2005 to support the transfer of AUT’s research and technology. Our commercialisation process is designed to not only return immediate tangible financial resources from the sale of services and attraction of grants, but also to build a portfolio of intellectual property and spin-out companies with sustainable long term financial returns.
We are a wholly owned subsidiary of AUT and a member of the Unicom Consortium, UCONZ (University Commercialisation Offices of New Zealand) and AUTM(international Association of University Technology Managers).
Lincoln University
Lincoln University has a long and proud history of transferring valuable new knowledge to a wide range of end-users, particularly those involved in the land-based industries.
The Research and Commercialisation Office (RCO) leads Lincoln’s efforts to ensure the innovations created by its staff and students are successfully transferred to organisations and individuals who can use them to deliver economic, environmental and/or social benefit to New Zealand and to New Zealanders.
RCO works in partnership with University staff and students through all stages of the technology value chain, from research through development to commercialisation. One of its primary responsibilities is to create strong relationships with local and international companies capable of utilising the intellectual property created at Lincoln so that the transfer to end use can be both efficient and effective.
University of Canterbury
Research & Innovation
The role of Research & Innovation at the University of Canterbury is to provide end-to-end services which facilitate and support all stages of research and innovation development, from initial funding through to commercialisation.
The core services provided by Research & Innovation include, highlighting the University of Canterbury’s academic and technical expertise to industry thereby building our reputation in research excellence. We also promote active engagement with industry and focus on successful technology transfer of University of Canterbury intellectual property with the intention of generating economic growth, benefits and opportunities for both Canterbury and the New Zealand economy.
Research & Innovation provides a vital link between the innovative work being done at the University of Canterbury and the marketplace.
Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST)
We were established by an Act of Government in 1990 to invest in research, science and technology for the benefit of New Zealand. Our mission is investing for results from research, science and technology to deliver greater prosperity, security and opportunities to all New Zealanders.
The Foundation’s primary aim is to excel at our core business - investing and managing government funds in the science sector. Another key focus is to deepen our understanding of New Zealand's research, science and technology (RS&T) system, and tailor our investment approaches accordingly.
Over the last few years we have changed our mindset from being a funder to an investor and this has changed the way we work. As a funder, we were only able to support the best research proposals submitted to us. As an investor, however, we can help shape the direction of research proposals. This makes it more likely we can invest in research that will produce tangible benefits for New Zealand.
VicLink
As Victoria University’s commercialisation company, Viclink provides students and academics with the skills and resources they need to turn their cutting-edge research into potentially global businesses that have social, environmental and economic benefit – not just for the University, but for New Zealand as a whole. At the same time, Viclink provides a responsive gateway for New Zealand industry to easily access the research capability of one of New Zealand’s leading research-driven universities.
Viclink connects industry and the University’s researchers together, and seeks support from third party organisations and their available investment – for example, the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology (FRST), Creative HQ (Wellington’s incubator), and other investors. A rigorous peer review process within Viclink assists in maximising the likelihood of commercial success for supported projects.
Viclink takes a creative and entrepreneurial approach to innovation leadership, choosing to build a diverse pipeline of projects and fostering a strong entrepreneurship culture across all disciplines within Victoria University.
The result is a broad range of spin-off ideas, licensing deals, joint ventures and businesses: from clean-tech companies such as Wetox (which turns liquid waste into water,) and bio-tech businesses such as Pacific Marine Bioactives (which turns marine natural products into anti-cancer drugs) right through to the resilience-boosting efforts of Umbrella Health, a business idea which originated from the School of Psychology.