In this edition, take advantage of some fresh thinking with tertiary students, two wonderful stories from metrology, a new series for founders, an innovative approach to making the lives of dementia patients better and much more. And as usual — updates on upcoming events and initiatives.
Ngā mihi The Callaghan Innovation team
R&D Student Experience Grants now open: Act fast and innovate with interns! The grant funds innovative businesses to offer tertiary-level students (NZQA levels 6-10) full-time internships over their summer break and help prepare them for life-long careers in R&D. But it's not just the students that benefit — here's what Callaghan Innovation customer Springbrook had to say about the programme: “We have been so lucky with students, they honestly bring such enthusiasm and have great research contacts with the universities. They are such an asset. I also find the 10 weeks just right as they can just focus on the projects with less of the distractions we seem to have. The whole programme has been amazing.”
Marking a distinguished career in metrology, Keith Jones MNZM Huge congratulations to Keith Jones, distinguished scientist at Callaghan Innovation, for being named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours! Keith's four-decade dedication to ensuring accurate and reliable measurement, as well as his leadership at MSL, have significantly impacted innovation, industry, and research both locally and globally. Join us in celebrating Keith's remarkable achievements in measurement science!
Measurement Standards Laboratory's Dr Ellie Molloy wins Emerging Metrologist Award The Metrology Society of Australasia recently recognised Dr Ellie Molloy from MSL as the 2024 NZ Emerging Metrologist, with Rohan Patel from WIKA Instruments as runner-up. The award recognises early-career metrologists who demonstrate technical knowledge, quality focus, and client focus. Molloy, a top expert in uncertainty analysis, started her metrology journey as a summer student and has already made significant contributions to the field.
Pacific Channel joins Callaghan Innovation’s Deep Tech Incubator Programme We're excited to announce a strategic partnership with Pacific Channel, a venture capital firm specialising in Deep Tech. This collaboration, part of the Deep Tech Incubator Programme, aims to help propel New Zealand's Deep Tech ventures onto the global stage. Pacific Channel, known for backing startups addressing global challenges, will provide commercialisation support, connections, and investment capital to Deep Tech companies. The partnership underscores Callaghan Innovation's commitment to fostering Deep Tech innovation and marks a significant addition to our programme.
From idea to reality with a new series from First Cut Brainwaves to Breakthroughs is a virtual series by First Cut, Icehouse Ventures' community for young founders. It offers practical advice on commercialising innovative ideas, featuring founders sharing their startup journey - from identifying the problem to understanding their market, testing their product, and funding their business. It's a great chance to hear from people who've taken the daunting step and done the mahi required to get an idea out of your head and into the world. Upcoming sessions feature Emily McIsaac(Daisy Labs) and Angus Brown (Ārepa).
Helping shine a light on the future of construction Callaghan Innovation’s Nick Sterling and Ross Pearce spoke at a conference for the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors, discussing innovation in the construction sector. They explored the evolution of Building Information Modelling (BIM) from 2D to 7D, the potential of AI, and key market trends. Their goal was to help businesses understand how to innovate and disrupt their markets positively. The conference also highlighted the need to shift from a cost-centric model to a value-based one, emphasizing sustainability and climate resilience.
A quick reminder: This is the last chance to grow your idea with Sprout Accelerator’s Spring 24 Cohort, mentioned in May’s Accelerate. Applications to join the cohort close on 9 July, and if you’re an idea generator, entrepreneur or scientist with an idea that just needs some mentoring, connecting to world-class partners and other help, you really should go for it.
Empowering dementia patients with innovation Elli Cares, a mobile app developed in Dunedin, supports independence for people with cognitive impairment and provides peace of mind for their families. The app, co-founded by Ange Edwards and Paul Nichols, offers reminders, geolocation safe zones, and one-on-one consultations. It's aimed at those in early to mid-stages of dementia. The app has received grants from the Roddenberry Foundation, Callaghan Innovation, and the Selwyn Foundation, and is in talks with Dementia New Zealand and Alzheimers New Zealand.
Get a taste for innovation at the NZIFST annual conference, Hamilton, 2-4 July The New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFST) brings together food industry professionals who apply science and technology to food processing and distribution. As proud sponsors of the NZIFST’s Annual Conference in Hamilton, Callaghan Innovation would love you to join us there this year. The conference is perfect for businesses in the food industry looking to integrate science and technology, and a few spots are still available. Don't miss out on this chance to connect and innovate!
Web3NZ Ecosystem Event: Unleashing the power of Web3, Auckland, 3 July Join us at Lane Neave for Web3nz's first in-person event of 2024, an ideal opportunity to connect, for both Web3 enthusiasts and newcomers. The event features a presentation by 'Pay it Now' on transacting real-world payments using cryptocurrency. There's also a panel discussion with our very own Kevin Whitmore, Web3 Lead at Callaghan Innovation, alongside experts Nawaz Ahmed and Aditya Das. They'll be exploring untapped opportunities in the Web3 ecosystem. This event is a fantastic chance for non-Web3 natives to delve into this innovative field, guided by some of the leading minds in the industry. You‘ll need to sign up and RSVP to attend.
Soda Power Lunch & Women in Business Expo, Wintec, Hamilton, 31 July Join us for lunch and a business expo highlighting support options for women in business in Aotearoa New Zealand. This free event is tailored for female business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs, and is proudly sponsored by Callaghan Innovation. Discover invaluable resources, network with like-minded professionals, and explore opportunities to empower your business journey. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn, and thrive!
