KiwiNet Awards - Annual Report 2025

20 June, 2026

Our research entrepreneurs benefit from strong connections to wider commercialisation support networks including KiwiNet and Return on Science. This year three researchers and an affiliated start-up company were named finalists in the KiwiNet Awards, with two of them winning their respective categories. Their success highlights their incredible leadership in excellent science-driven commercial projects and companies.

Winners

Professor Aaron Marshall

Professor Aaron Marshall, winner of the BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award, exemplifies the blend between fundamental science excellence and commercial acumen needed to drive sustainability and the global energy transition. Beyond founding two start-ups, Aaron has played a pivotal role in shaping the commercial success of multiple ventures, offering scientific insights that have fuelled the growth of numerous deep tech companies. His leadership continues to inspire academic and entrepreneurial peers as well as students across UC, the Institute and the wider commercialisation partner network ecosystem.

Aaron Marshall, 2025 winner of the BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award

Dr Ben Mallett

Dr Ben Mallett, winner of the Ara Ake Breakthrough Innovator Award, is an outstanding science entrepreneur, who has actively sought and supported commercial endeavours since his time as a PhD student. As one of the co-founders of the CHIASMA Wellington branch, he has already generated a legacy of commercial and industry impact well beyond his immediate research group. Ben's co-founding of the aerospace propulsion company JxB marks the next stage of that impact, building on a world first technology demonstration mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and a fully operational laboratory prototype thruster.

Ben Mallett, 2025 winner of the Ara Ake Breakthrough Innovator Award

Finalists

Dr Michel Nieuwoudt

Dr Michel Nieuwoudt, finalist for the BNZ Researcher Entrepreneur Award, is the founder of melanoma diagnostic company Luminoma. Michel is a standout research entrepreneur who combines creativity, technical excellence and strong people skills to solve important problems and deliver real-world impact across multiple industries.

Zincovery

Zincovery, finalists for the AJ Park Commercialisation Impact Award, have achieved remarkable progress under the leadership of Jonathan Ring (CEO), Aaron Marshall (co-founder) and their team. Zincovery has raised over NZ$20 million in funding, enabling several major milestones, including signing commercial agreements worth over NZ$500 million, building a fully functional pilot plant with 10 tonne-per-year zinc capacity, and beginning work on a 1,000 tonne-per-year demonstration facility in Ōtautahi Christchurch - the largest of its kind in Aotearoa.

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