$40.7m boost backs university research from lab to market

University researchers will benefit from a $40.68 million boost in Government support to help commercialise their innovations, alongside new Intellectual Property (IP) rules taking effect from 1 July, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Penny Simmonds says. 

“The new national Intellectual Property Management Policy for publicly funded research will unlock the commercial potential of New Zealand’s world-class research, accelerate economic growth and deliver real benefits for Kiwis.

“These changes put researchers in the driver’s seat, giving them greater control over their inventions and stronger incentives to turn great ideas into global opportunities.

“From breakthrough medical treatments to low-emissions agriculture and high-tech industries, this uniquely New Zealand approach will help get discoveries to market sooner, create high-value jobs and strengthen our economy.”

The Government is increasing funding for university research commercialisation through enhancements to the Commercialisation Partner Network programme. Universities will be required to co-invest alongside Government, increasing overall investment into research commercialisation.

New Commercialisation Engagement Guidelines, developed in partnership with the sector, will also support researchers, universities, and industry partners to work more effectively as ideas move towards market.

“We are working closely with universities and research organisations to ensure researchers have the practical support they need to turn great ideas into real-world impact,” Ms Simmonds says. 

“That includes building commercialisation skills, identifying opportunities earlier, and connecting researchers with the expertise they need to develop viable ventures.

“The new support is also designed to strengthen collaboration across universities, making it easier to share expertise and back the most promising ideas, wherever they emerge.”

“With a stronger focus on early-stage ideas, this investment will help build a deeper pipeline of investable research and support more inventions to become start-ups, products and services.”

The initiative will begin with a pilot in 2026/27, ahead of a full investment round from 1 July 2027. The funding sits alongside broader changes to support science-led start-ups as part of the Government’s work to transform New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system. 

Following discussions with universities, PROs, and others, the Government has updated the Intellectual Property Management Policy to assist with its implementation. The final Intellectual Property Management Policy and newly developed Commercialisation Engagement Guidelines are available on the MBIE website https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/science-and-innovation/refocusing-the-science-innovation-and-technology-system/research-commercialisation 

The science start-up initiatives receiving Government funding are:

University research commercialisation – an additional $40.68 million over three years from 1 July 2026, delivered through the Commercialisation Partner Network programme
Founder and Start-up Support Programme (FSSP) – an additional $1.4 million annually for four years from 1 July 2026 to enable it to offer a dedicated deep-tech incubation programme alongside its existing programmes, taking total annual funding to $4.1 million
New Zealand Institute of Advanced Technology (NZIAT) – an additional $1.4 million annually for four years from 1 July 2027 to expand the HealthTech Activator model into other advanced technology areas. ...