Callaghan Innovation

Over the year, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting 33 events to connect and upskill Aotearoa New Zealand’s innovators. 💡 Thank you to the almost 3,000 people who came into our whare to learn, discuss, present, share, and mingle. Not forgetting all the clever people we rubbed shoulders with at the events we sponsored, and the innovators who wowed us with their ideas and passion for making the world a better place with Kiwi ingenuity. Love your mahi, and we look forward to seeing you all next year after you’ve had a well-deserved break! ☀️

Meet Ārohia Trailblazer, Toku Eyes! 👀 Toku Eyes is tackling Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) with MyKidneyAI, an AI-powered tool that detects CKD through retinal images from routine eye exams. This is a non-invasive, affordable approach enabling an earlier diagnosis, improving outcomes for patients worldwide. The company is keen for as many people as possible to benefit from MyKidneyAI. So it is by refining its digital experience, and creating accessible customer education materials, while keeping a focus on product development. It’s also planning to mentor underrepresented talent and run workshops on inclusivity and regulatory pathways.  As they say, the eyes are the window to future health—and we’re proud to support Toku Eyes’ journey as it redefines healthcare and creates new opportunities for innovation in New Zealand!  Find out why our panel named Toku Eyes a Trailblazer here: https://lnkd.in/g9bmgNg3

Meet Ārohia Trailblazer, Astrix Astronautics! 🚀 Bigger doesn’t always mean better, just ask Astrix. Copia, the company’s innovative solar array system, reduces the costs of powering spacecrafts and small satellites dramatically. The system is an inflatable solar array that is 20x more compact, 4x lighter, and 75% faster to produce than existing systems. Copia deploys solar panels in orbit using inflatable tubes, reducing the costs of powering a spacecraft.👀 As New Zealand’s only satellite power system manufacturer, Astrix is developing pre-production facilities, building demonstration units, and securing IP to take their innovation global. ✨ We’re excited to support them and see how they create new opportunities for the space industry! Find out why our panel named Astrix a Trailblazer here: https://lnkd.in/gs8uiP3j

Superb update about our customer Premium Seas New Zealand who took out the Excellence in Innovation award last night at the 2 degrees Auckland Business Awards. The citation recognises their achievements in the globally growing seaweed sector. We’re particularly stoked to see the kudos for the company’s impressive market validation, quality research and strategic approach to overcoming scale-up challenges — all things we’re proud to say our Business Innovation Advisors, R&D Solution Specialists and partner NZ Food Innovation Network had a hand in helping develop. But the hard mahi is all Lucas Evans and the Premium Seas team’s, so congrats and we’ll keep cheering you on as you keep smashing it!

Tonoa ināianei! Entries for the 2025 NZ Hi-Tech Awards are open! 🎉 Are you a Māori innovator pushing the boundaries in tech? The Hi-Tech Māori Kamupene o te Tau / Māori Company of the Year Award is your chance to showcase your mahi, celebrate your achievements, and inspire future generations. 🌱 We’re proud to sponsor this award, in partnership with Poutama Trust, because we think it’s crucial to highlight the achievements of Māori in innovation and tech. Māori-founded pakihi contribute over $70bn annually to Aotearoa New Zealand’s economy, and much of that comes from Māori tech innovators. We’re here to support you every step of the way—Mauria te pono and back yourself. Know someone who should enter? Tag them below and encourage them to apply! 🌟 🔗 Enter today: https://lnkd.in/gEjaBt2V Entries close 3 March 2025. Amber Taylor - ARA Journeys Sir Ian Taylor - Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi Morris Pita - Tai Pari Mōhio Ltd Bob Pinchin - NZ Hi-Tech Awards #HiTechAwards #MāoriInnovation #TonoInāianei #NgāUriWhakatipu

The future of construction is here, and it’s powered by AI! 🤖🏗️    Last week, we wrapped up the third and final sold-out ‘AI in Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC)’ trial event in Christchurch, in partnership with Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau. Were you a part of it? 👀   Over 120 businesses and organisations attended the series, and it’s incredibly gratifying to see that so many in the AEC sector can see the potential of AI. With all events sold out, we’re excited to see how these innovators will leverage AI to make the sector an economic powerhouse for Aotearoa.     A huge thank-you to the AI innovators who openly shared their journeys, sparking ideas and innovation across the sector:  Sam Blackbourn – Allsite.ai, Jack Donaghy CEng MIEI MSc - Beca, Luke Williams - Holmes Group, Manoj Dolli - Alamance.AI, Jon Sinclair -Performance Building Technologies, Graeme Mackin – Fulton Hogan Missed out this time? Don’t worry—this is just the beginning! Watch this space in the new year for more events driving AI innovation in the AEC sector. 🚀 Nick Sterling, Ross Pearce, Kin Lung (KL) Chan, Siobhan Lilley, Neha Uniyal, Tania Williams, Richard Templer, Maria Mingallon #CallaghanInnovation #EngineeringNewZealand #ConstructionInnovation #AIinAEC #AIblueprintforNZ #AIForumNZ

Calling all Māori innovators! 👀 Are you leading a groundbreaking business? The 2025 NZ Hi-Tech Awards is your opportunity to showcase your mahi and leadership on a national stage. Callaghan Innovation proudly sponsors the Hi-Tech Māori Kamupene o te Tau / Māori Company of the Year Award, and we’re here to make the entry process simple and set you up for success. Join us for a free online kōrero on 3 December, from 10–10:45 am, to get the tools and insights you need to make your entry stand out.  In just 45 mins, you’ll:  ✨ Pick up tips for crafting a winning entry  ✨ Learn from the experiences of previous Hi-Tech Awards winners   ✨ Gain insights into the awards process  from inspiring leaders like Sir Ian Taylor (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi), Morris Pita (Tai Pari Mōhio Ltd), and Amber Taylor (ARA Journeys).  Sign up today! You can register for the online kōrero here - https://lnkd.in/g4iwXyx5

🚨 The future of construction is changing, don’t be left behind!🚨 By Friday next week, there will be two sets of people in Aotearoa New Zealand’s construction industry: people who know how AI is going to change the industry forever and are keen to leverage it, and people who don’t. This is your chance to make sure you’re in the first group, shaping the future of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC). Join us Thursday, 21st November in Christchurch for the final AI in Construction event of the year, as we partner with Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau. You’ll hear from industry innovators who are already laying the foundation for change and get hands-on, actionable insights into how AI can transform your business. 👀 Staying ahead in the AEC sector means more than just adopting the latest tools, it’s about embracing innovation at every level. Our promise? This event will change the way you see construction FOREVER! Just saying, we’d love you to be in the first group 👉 https://lnkd.in/gXRib6vK

Around 20 years ago, a Kiwi cleantech startup began with a big idea: to use gas fermentation to create low-cost, low-carbon fuel without competing with food production or land use. Today, Nasdaq-listed LanzaTech, has partnered with global steelmaker ArcelorMittal to turn waste gas into high-value ethanol at their commercial carbon capture facility in Belgium. ♻️ It’s been a privilege to visit the site alongside the inspiring Kiwi startups on the 2024 Cleantech Trek across Europe and the US. Companies like AZURA Ocean Technology, Hot Lime Labs, Geo40 Limited, UsedFULLY® , Mint Innovation, Basis, Prospero, Solarferm, TasmanIon, Zincovery, and Waste To Energy Technologies Limited are coming up with innovative approaches to tackling climate change and solving environmental problems.🤝 We look forward to seeing you all follow in Lanzatech’s footsteps in the years ahead! A big thanks to ASB Bank for sponsoring the Europe leg, and to our New Zealand Cleantech Mission partners NZTE, Ara Ake, and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. Thanks also to Bridgewest Ventures NZ and Motion Capital for helping to connect our future cleantech leaders with global investors and partners during the trek. 🌱 Which game-changing cleantech solutions are you most excited about? 🌟 #Cleantech #Innovation #ClimateAction #Sustainability #KiwiTech #CleantechTrek  

We're delighted to announce the release of Callaghan Innovation's Annual Report for 2023/2024. 📊 The report is a must-read for anyone passionate about Aotearoa New Zealand's innovation ecosystem and its potential to drive social and economic growth. 🌟 It offers valuable insights into our efforts to empower our country’s innovators and tech entrepreneurs by helping them successfully commercialise their ideas. But wait, there's more! Reflecting the increasing impact of AI on everything, we've created an AI-generated podcast of the report 🎧 (we gave an LLM a pdf, if you're interested in the how). For the first time ever, you can catch up on our latest achievements while driving, doing the dishes, gardening, or enjoying a stroll on the beach. 🚗🍽️🪴🏖️ Listen to the first 2 minutes below and go here: https://lnkd.in/gvC5-kAi for the full experience (You’ll also find an alternative version there). Just a heads-up: our AI seems to have a penchant for breezy American presenters, so expect some "unique" pronunciations of words that any Kiwi would get right. 😉 If you'd like to read the full Annual Report (and do the voices in your head), you can also find it by clicking the link. 📖 #AIPodcast #Innovation #AnnualReport #CallaghanInnovation #AI