A 'beautiful example of collaboration” has helped Te Puke company Comvita win a major award in third annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards announced in Auckland.

Comvita and its research partner, the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology at the University of Auckland, won the Minter Ellison Rudd Watts Research & Business Partnership Award for their collaboration which is accelerating innovation by promoting research projects and producing commercially relevant outcomes.

The award judges say this is a particularly difficult category to judge as each finalist, which included Zespri and Plant & Food, had strong partnerships which generate value.

'The Comvita/Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology is a beautiful example of collaboration between education, business and research engaging in a deeply embedded, strategic relationship to deliver commercial success,” the judges say.

Dr Bram Smith, general manager of KiwiNet says, 'the 2015 awards have uncovered more exciting stories of kiwi scientists powering disruptive business innovation. These people are quietly revolutionising the New Zealand innovation landscape. 'The awards celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of those who strive to bridge the gap between clever science and innovative business. We hope this event will inspire the next generation of innovative researchers and entrepreneurs.” The PwC Commercial Deal Award went to Plant & Food Research, which has one of its research centres in Te Puke. The ward recognised its work in revolutionising plant variety commercialisation.

The judges were impressed how plant and Food Research have put 'a very clever business model around some clever science which maximise returns to New Zealand”.

The Biopolymer Network Limited made up of Scion (Rotorua), Plant & Food Research & AgResearch won the Commercialisation Collaboration Award for their work to produce ZealaFoam, a sustainable alternative to polystyrene.

The judges noted that the three CRIs are working in collaboration on a global problem for the benefit of New Zealand to address a huge world environmental issue, and have achieved results 'by actively engaging business partners to capture the value of IP and deliver benefits”. The People's Choice Award and the BNZ Supreme Award both went to Prof Andy Buchanan, University of Canterbury for his work on multi-story buildings constructed from renewable resources

The judges noted that Andy has patents internationally and already has credibility in the market, and has previously been recognised scientifically for his work.

The KiwiNet judging panel comprised director and executive advisor Helen Robinson, the founding CEO of TZ1, Rob Heebink, R&D Executive at Gallagher Group, professional director Dr Ray Thomson, and Sir Ray Avery, pharmaceutical scientist, inventor, philanthropist, businessman and founder and CEO of Medicine Mondiale.

The KiwiNet Awards are the pinnacle of KiwiNet activities designed to build awareness and inspire research commercialisation success.

Sponsorship support is provided by BNZ, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, PwC, MBIE and Sciencelens photography.

BNZ director-value chain, Jason Lewthwaite says, that while an imperative to New Zealand's economic growth, the process of moving from idea to commercialisation cannot be underestimated.

'Turning a great idea into an exportable, profitable proposition is not a step, it's a leap. It involves significant levels of commitment and courage.

'BNZ's collaboration with KiwiNet ensures a strong and experienced network is wrapped around these business to provide the skills, experience and connections to give them the best chance of ongoing commercial success.”

Peter Crabtree, general manager of MBIE's People, Science and Enterprise Policy group, says 'Commercialisation of research plays an important role in growing New Zealand's economy.

"Those being recognised today at the KiwiNet Awards should inspire the innovative spirit in all New Zealanders.”