Groundbreaking directions in business and science collaboration

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Groundbreaking directions in business and science collaboration


New Zealand's largest ever meeting of businesses and research, science and technology institutions has produced some ground-breaking directions for the future, says Phil O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Business NZ.

The Capitalising on Research Summit, a two-day meeting of 180 businesses, several research and science institutions and others was organised by the Ministry of Research Science and Technology and Business NZ. Also in attendance were eight Cabinet Ministers and a number of successful expatriate NZ high-tech business owners.

Mr O'Reilly described the summit as a thought-provoking meeting of minds. "The interest and excitement engendered by the summit was outstanding," Mr O’Reilly said.

Some of the recommendations to be investigated as a result of the summit include:

· Collaboration for access to overseas funding for high-tech business start ups
· Clustering of science communities in the regions
· A review of funding models
· A long term taskforce for technology based business
· Work to bring a systems approach to business-related science, research and technology
· Easier pathways for small business into research institutions

"More successful capitalisation on research is fundamental to NZ's economic future. Business NZ will continue its support for ongoing work to assist NZ companies to capitalise on superb NZ innovation, including working closely with MoRST and the Government," Mr O'Reilly said.