Monthly Archives: March 2011

Professor opts out of probiotic commercialisation route to concentrate on research

Posted on March 30, 2011 by

In a world in which scientists are often encouraged to commercialise their research findings, there’s something quite noble about Gregor Reid. He’s a professor these days of microbiology and immunology at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, and director of … Continue reading →

Posted in Innovation, SciBlogs, Science, university | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Are there some new products in the pipeline as business manufacturing increases its R&D spend?

Posted on March 29, 2011 by

Considering that the time period for the R&D survey mostly coincides with the global financial crisis, you’d have to be pretty pleased with the nation’s 13% increase between 2008 and 2010. During the 2010 reference year, Stats NZ reckons the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early stage science, high tech, Innovation, SciBlogs, Science | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Kiwi angel investors pony up with more money in 2010

Posted on March 28, 2011 by

Angel investors are increasingly seen as the first source of outside money for promising start ups; as with the rest of the world, venture capital funds become ever more difficult to source. And there’s some interesting numbers behind the numbers … Continue reading →

Posted in Angel investment, Entrepreneur, high tech, Innovation, proprietary, SciBlogs, start-up | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Random points of interest from NZBio, two

Posted on March 25, 2011 by

A second lot of interesting points – you know, the ‘what did you learn’ answers you give to people. • Photonz Omega-3 EPA production by fermentation of micro algae set to provide second reliable source after fish oil. EPA plus … Continue reading →

Posted in Early stage science, Entrepreneur, high tech, Innovation, proprietary, SciBlogs, Science, technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Random points of interest from NZBio

Posted on March 24, 2011 by

Back from NZBio’s annual conference, with a tonne of notes and not sure how to make them all make sense. However, some random points of interest – unthemed.

Posted in Early stage science, education, high tech, Innovation, SciBlogs, Science, Science policy, sustainability, value-added food. processed food | Tagged , | Leave a comment

NZ V.C. industry needs more money

Posted on March 18, 2011 by

From what I gather, the NZ Venture Investment Fund needs more capital input to be able to continue backing seed and start up companies. It hasn’t (yet) made enough of a return on its investments to start pumping that money … Continue reading →

Posted in Angel investment, Entrepreneur, high tech, IT, SciBlogs, technology | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Who keeps a real eye on the ‘space’ beyond R&D

Posted on March 17, 2011 by

Nothing keeps an oversight of the New Zealand innovation ecosystem. Science and R&D gets a good looking to, but beyond this engine of ideas and discoverer of knowledge, the next parts are not as connected as they could be. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Entrepreneur, high tech, Innovation, SciBlogs, Science, Science policy, value-added food. processed food | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Americans call it experience, not failure

Posted on March 16, 2011 by

Americans don’t use the word failure – they call it experience. Now wouldn’t that be a good change of thinking to develop in New Zealand. There’s a suspicion we’re changing in our thinking with regards to ‘failure’, and Don Dodge … Continue reading →

Posted in Angel investment, Entrepreneur, high tech, Innovation, SciBlogs, start-up, technology | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Key’s only sharp arrow – as Minister of S&I

Posted on March 15, 2011 by

OK, another reason John Key should take up as Minister of Science & Innovation – apart from it being the only sharp arrow in his quiver. This is on the presumption that we want to quickly grow knowledge intensive, value … Continue reading →

Posted in Entrepreneur, high tech, Innovation, SciBlogs, Science policy, sustainability, technology | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

New U.S. universities V.C. fund a model for New Zealand?

Posted on March 14, 2011 by

The roles and abilities of universities to create and maintain start-ups is a challenge all over the world. New Zealand’s no different, and Victoria University’s Viclink looks like it is going to get a make over, with its back office … Continue reading →

Posted in Entrepreneur, high tech, Innovation, SciBlogs, start-up, technology, university | Tagged , | 3 Comments