Innovation Jumpstart 2021
  • Innovation Jumpstart Winners 2021

    Winners of the Innovation Jumpstart 2021 Awards, presented by Professor Ian Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (centre) and R&I Director Elizabeth Hopkins (far right). 

Innovation Jumpstart 2021 winners announced

Research & Innovation offers Innovation Jumpstart funding of $100,000 (5 x $20,000 prizes) to UC academic staff who have research ideas with significant economic or social/environmental impact.

The goal of the competition, which is run annually, is to support researchers to transform valuable ideas into reality so they can make a difference in an ever-changing world. It is open to University of Canterbury academic staff across all research areas.

Five University of Canterbury Innovation Jumpstart award winners were announced at an event on 2 Nov 2021, with each successful project getting a $20,000 prize.  Congratulations to all our 2021 winners!

Greatest Global Impact - Sponsored by WNT Ventures

Dr Sarah Kessans – School of Product Design
Nanosatellites for biotechnological research in microgravity

Greatest Global Impact - Sponsored by Bridgewest Ventures

Prof Renwick Dobson – School of Biological Sciences
Assoc Prof Volker Nock – Electrical and Computer Engineering
Daniel Mak (PhD Candidate) – Electrical and Computer Engineering
Capillary microfluidic assays for improved testing in the wine industry

Greatest Commercial Potential - Sponsored byKiwinet
Prof Tim Sullivan – Civil and Natural Resources Engineering
Tom Francis (PhD candidate) – Civil and Natural Resources Engineering
A low-cost base isolation system for residential buildings

Greatest Commercial Potential - Sponsored by Kiwinet

Dr Tim Huber, Dr Nick Emerson and Andy Park – School of Project Design
Dr Dennis Pau – Civil and Natural Resources Engineering
Seaweed Plasterboard

Greatest Social or Environmental Impact – UC Research & Innovation

Tracy Clelland – School of Health Sciences
Dr Adrian Clark - School of Product Design
Dr Fabian Gilson - Computer Science and Software Engineering
Te Puāwaitanga: Beyond the birds and bees. Relationships and sexuality app for rangatahi

Read more (UC News)

Innovation Jumpstart Application Portal 

For questions or support, email commercial@canterbury.ac.nz or contact one of our Business Development Managers in Research & Innovation.

Innovation Jumpstart

Thanks to our sponsors and supporters           

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