Emma Arvidson

Teiny

High protein oat milk powder - small changes, big impact

University of Canterbury

Our finalists

Jean-Luc Ellis

WasteXpert

Reducing construction and demolition waste with on-site systems

University of Auckland

Jenny Zhu

LineBuddy

Umpiring ball monitoring te for accurate line calls

University of Canterbury

This award recognises a highly motivated New Zealand tertiary student who looks beyond the science and sees the positive impact their idea has in the world.

This student is making outstanding contributions to innovation and entrepreneurship in Aotearoa, not just with their idea or project, but in their support of, and engagement with, the startup ecosystem.

If you have created an innovative business through technology licensing, if you have created a startup, or if you have provided expertise to support innovation, we want to hear from you!

Together with our sponsors, we want to make sure that you, our Kiwi innovators, get as much recognition and support as possible.

Terms and Conditions:

Information provided in this application will be used to support the judging panel to select finalists.

We may also share the information anonymously with MBIE for reporting purposes. Information is kept only as long as required to fulfil these purposes.

The Prize Package is subject to availability of the winner.

You have the right to request access and correction to your personal information. To do so, email dianna.truong@auckland.ac.nz

Key Dates:

KiwiNet Awards Night: Wednesday 9th October

Prize Package:

1st place:

Attendance at the Angel Association New Zealand (AANZ) Summit in February 2025 in Auckland (flights and accommodation provided if necessary)

Attendance at the Angel Association New Zealand (AANZ) Runway Event this October in Wellington (flights and accommodation provided if necessary)

Runners-up:

Mentorship workshops covering governance, US markets, intellectual property, how to pitch

Meet our 2023 winner!

Monique Lau

University of Canterbury

Endosoothe

Reimaginging menstrual care through innovation and community

Having lived with endometriosis, Monique has first-hand experience not only of the discomfort and stigma surrounding endometriosis and menstruation, but also of the efficacy of her innovation. Add a background in chemical formulation, and the value proposition becomes more and more enticing.

Endosoothe is committed to redefining the menstrual experience by offering a comprehensive range of products that address the challenges women face during their menstrual cycles. They provide a range of thoughtfully crafted menstrual care products using natural active ingredients that prioritise comfort, sustainability and effectiveness.

One of the standouts of this project is the community that Endosoothe is building online prior to product launch; emphasising their commitment to education, raising awareness and support rather than just selling product. This also informs a unique human-centred market research approach that targets consumers directly to inform product development and remain transparent with regard to information, solidifying the trust of the community affected before investigating medical regulation.

Monique is an active and valued member of UC's entrepreneurial community, and we commend her on continuing her commitment to community through her product.

Take a look at our 2023 finalists

FAQs

  • You do not have to be a current student, however, you will have had to have been a student in the past 12 months.

  • The Angel Association New Zealand (AANZ) Summit is New Zealand’s flagship angel investing event of the year. This will be a knowledge-sharing and networking event for everyone across the investment and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

    AANZ is our local champion for early stage investment. It aims to increase the quantity, quality, and success of angel investment in New Zealand and in doing so create a greater pool of capital for innovative start-up companies.

  • An angel investor (also known as a private investor, seed investor or angel funder) is a high-net-worth individual who provides financial backing for small startups or entrepreneurs, typically in exchange for ownership equity in the company. The funds that angel investors provide may be a one-time investment to help the business get off the ground or an ongoing injection to support and carry the company through its difficult early stages.

  • The workshop dates will be aligned with the finalists’ availability.

  • Don’t worry, initial interviews will be held on Zoom. And if you are selected as a finalist, travel and accomodation will be covered for filming and attending the KiwiNet Awards.

Award Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for their continued collaboration.

SEOTY is an initiative created by Auckland UniServices Ltd flagship Momentum Programme and is sponsored by Matū Group. Matū is a venture capital fund targeting early-stage science and technology ideas. They invest funds through a hands-on approach, and have a vision to get research out of the lab and into the real-world.

2019 was the inaugural year that this award was included as one of the KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards. Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) believes in the power of New Zealand science to transform lives and change the world.