KiwiNet signs cooperation agreement with The Texas A University System to take technologies to new markets
Hamilton, New Zealand, 25 November, 2011 – KiwiNet, a commercialisation consortium of universities and crown research
institutes, today announced a new cooperation agreement with The Texas A University System, one of the largest and most respected research organizations in the United States. KiwiNet and the A System will work cooperatively to identify commercialization opportunities, particularly in agriculture.
KiwiNet and the A System Office of Technology Commercialization will identify and bring forward client companies that have an interest in
moving into the New Zealand and US market respectively under the memorandum of understanding. The parties will also
identify companies and technologies that could expand through cooperative development and commercialization
opportunities in other regions.
Duncan Mackintosh, Chief Executive of WaikatoLink, a KiwiNet member says, “Sharing each other’s technology, capital,
entrepreneurs, incubators, and partner networks will open up an array of opportunities that would otherwise not be
available to us. KiwiNet represents a new generation of collaboration and alignment as we’re connecting technologies and
expertise across the country, providing a national support network, and working to take technologies offshore through
international connections like this.”
Brett Cornwell, Associate Vice Chancellor for Commercialization, The Texas A University System says, “This agreement signifies a real commitment to work together. KiwiNet’s national portfolio
approach is a very attractive proposition for us to connect with as it has scale and credibility in the region. Our
visit to New Zealand has been a great opportunity to solidify this agreement and further get to know the people we’ll be
working with.” The visit was funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation.
Agriculture and sustainability is a key area of focus for cooperation and KiwiNet and the A System have started to identify synergies around projects. They will work together to realize market studies, business
plans, market validation and market entry strategies. A collaborative approach will also be employed to encourage
multinationals in the R field to participate in research programs both within the A System and at research organisations in New Zealand involved in projects.
Cornwell continues, “By building a stronger global innovation network we can achieve greater impact. We’re keen to
replicate the success we’ve had with a similar agreement with AWEX, the Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency in
the Walloon region of Belgium, which has linked us into Europe. KiwiNet will be a great way for us to connect into
Australasian and other markets. KiwiNet will be able to tap into our networks to help move technologies into the US and
Europe.”
The Texas A University System boasts a network of eleven universities, seven state agencies and a comprehensive health science
center. The A System educates more than 120,000 students and reaches another 22 million people through service and outreach programs
every year. With 28,000 faculty and staff, the A System has annual research expenditures exceeding US$ 772 million.
KiwiNet was launched in July to increase the scale and impact of commercialisation in New Zealand by facilitating a more
collaborative and capable commercialisation system. The core organisations in KiwiNet have a research spend of over $500
million and covers 6,300 research staff and 127 commercialisation staff.
KiwiNet, which acts as a hub for commercialisation for its member organisations as well as the wider innovation system,
is also supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation as part of its commitment to commercialisation.
Mackintosh says, “Where we are influences how and where we do business. For every node we add to our network we see
exponential benefits. We’re really keen to work with others who share our vision both nationally and internationally to
create as many benefits as we can by transferring technologies to the marketplace.”
About KiwiNet
The Kiwi Innovation Network currently includes six Universities and three Crown Research Institutes working together in
an unprecedented level of collaboration, knowledge and capability sharing in New Zealand. KiwiNet was set up to increase
the scale and impact of commercialisation in New Zealand by facilitating a more collaborative and capable
commercialisation system. Building on the successful UniCom university consortium model, KiwiNet acts as a hub for
commercialisation activities of its member organisations, with a total combined research expenditure of greater than
$500 million across the nine founding members. KiwiNet also provides a focal point for regional and national
collaboration to support its members and participants in the wider innovation system.
About Texas A University System Office of Technology Commercialization
ENDS