Massey awarded for sector-leading approach at KiwiNet Awards

Director of Commercialisation and IP at Massey Dr Dan Carlisle was named the winner of the KCA Commercialisation Rising Star Award, for his contributions to the research commercialisation ecosystem.

The award recognises an early- to mid-career commercialisation professional, who works within an Aotearoa New Zealand research organisation. The winner must be active in their support of research innovations that have a significant impact.

Dr Carlisle was especially commended for being a committed champion for early commercialisation professionals.

"It’s humbling to be recognised alongside some truly amazing businesses and innovators from across the country,” he says.

“Generating impact through research commercialisation has never been higher on our Government’s priorities and New Zealand is well on its way to building a world-class commercialisation ecosystem. This is not because we replicate policies and models from overseas, but because we play to New Zealand's strengths, genuinely collaborate and build ecosystems with people who are driven by making a difference in the world.”

At Massey Ventures, Dr Carlisle currently leads the commercialisation of approximately 15 technologies. He is also currently leading the development of an investment fund, which will support Massey start-ups.

In 2023, he co-founded Nexus, a nationwide professional development and networking initiative for others leading commercialisation activities.

The C-Dax Pasture Meter, a measurement device for farmers founded over 20 years, won the Cytiva Commercialisation Impact Award.

It was first created by Massey researchers in partnership with C-Dax, a local agricultural equipment manufacturer. The device works to minimise the labour of measurement for farmers, and two decades since invention it is still being embraced by farmers across Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.

Captivate Technology was also recognised as a finalist at the Awards, nominated for the PwC Breakthrough Project Award. This recognised an innovative approach to carbon capture and the reduction of industrial carbon emissions, based on a discovery in a Massey laboratory run by Professor Shane Telfer.

Read more on all three Massey finalists here.

“Our 2026-2030 strategy commits Massey to innovate, connect and scale, and the exceptional KiwiNet recognition demonstrate this strategy in action: a laboratory discovery tackling industrial emissions, a partnership that has served farmers for two decades, and an emerging leader building up commercialisation capability nationally,” says Deputy Vice-Chancellor Enterprise Professor Margaret Maile.

“We couldn’t be more delighted with the outcome of this year’s KiwiNet Awards.”

Held at the Viaduct Events Centre, the event gathered leaders in New Zealand research, science and innovation. People, products and initiatives from within the sector were celebrated for their contribution in translating research to real-world application.

KiwiNet CEO Dr James Hutchinson said the calibre of this year’s winners showed that research commercialisation in New Zealand is shifting into a new gear.

“Across our universities and research organisations, these are the people and projects to watch – creating new companies and industries, opening global markets, and tackling challenges that matter.”

All three Massey Ventures finalists showcase the leading place of the university in the sector – find out more on this support and commercialisation hub here.