The KiwiNet consortium of universities and crown research institutes has teamed with the Texas A&M University System to identify commercialisation opportunities, particularly in agriculture and sustainability.

Under the new Memorandum of Understanding, KiwiNet and the A&M System Office of Technology Commercialisation will identify and promote client companies that have an interest in moving into New Zealand or the US. The two organisations are also eyeing the cooperative expansion of technologies and companies in other regions.

Agriculture and sustainability are key areas of the agreement and the two parties will work on business plans, market validation and market entry strategies - and encourage multinationals in R&D to participate in research programs in the A&M System and at research organisations in New Zealand.

Brett Cornwell, associate vice chancellor for commercialisation at Texas A&M's University System, visited New Zealand to solidify the agreement thanks to funding from the Ministry of Sdcience and Innovation.

“By building a stronger global innovation network we can achieve greater impact," Cornwell says. "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.”

Texas A&M University System has a network of 11 universities, seven state agencies and a health science centre. Its annual research expenditure is more than $722 million.

WaikatoLink chief executive and KiwiNet member Duncan Mackintosh says sharing technology, capital, entrepreneurs, incubators and partner networks will open up new opportunities. He said it was working to take technologies offshore through international connections like the one with Texas A&M University System.

“Where we are influences how and where we do business. For every node we add to our network we see exponential benefits," says Mackintosh.

Your name

Listed as anonymous if blank

Subject *

Comment *

Comment composition options »

Allowable HTML: <!--break--> <a> <em> <i> <b> <strong> <pre> <u> <strike> <sub> <p> <table> <tr> <td> <thead> <tbody> <sup> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2> <h3> <h4> <h5> <h6> <br> <hr>
Line and paragraph breaks are recognised automatically.

Captcha *

This is a test to prevent automated spam submission. To receive a new challenge click below or click to receive audio challenge.