Researcher Hatchery:
A gateway to transforming research into impactful innovations
Knowledge mobilisation and developing skills in entrepreneurship empower researchers to make an exponential impact. The Researcher Hatchery is designed to assist you in making an impact with your research by assessing its social or commercial entrepreneurial application.
By participating in the hatchery, you will discover how your research may have an impact or commercial opportunity, and how to deliver on this, while also gaining transferable skills supporting your next project or career.
Applications for our 2023 September intake are now CLOSED – but we are accepting intake for our 2024 programme.
Programme structure
The Researcher Hatchery is an innovative 12-week programme designed to help researchers take their research beyond the academic sphere, assessing its potential practical application and societal implications.
By leveraging a variety of tools, including online learning, group sessions, in-person workshops, customer interviews, and market feedback, participants are poised to discover how their research may have a far-reaching impact or unlock commercial opportunities.
The first programme intake commences 22 September 2023. (Further dates for an intake in early 2024 will be published soon).
Learning outcomes
Throughout the Hatchery programme, participants will learn about and apply and test how to translate their research project into practical applications
Who should apply
The Researcher Hatchery is open to University of Auckland researchers of all disciplines, from doctoral students to professors.
The Researcher Hatchery is perfect for motivated individuals or teams who are enthusiastic about exploring the real-world applications of their research. Whether the potential lies in commercialisation or societal impact, the programme helps participants harness the potential of their research.
All applications are shared with UniServices, ensuring that your research receives optimal protection and comprehensive support.
Benefits
This programme enables participants to be better able to:
- identify opportunities for social and commercial impact
- design research projects that meet a need in society and/or the economy
- undertake transdisciplinary research,
- prepare your venture idea for potential investment, such as from the $40m evergreen University of Auckland’s Inventors’ Fund
- write grant applications that identify and articulate a need and impact, leading to higher success rates, increased publications, and increased employability, particularly for doctoral candidates.
Timing and commitment
The time commitment for the Researcher Hatchery is around 8 hours per week for the 12-week programme. By applying to the programme, you commit to partake fully.
Important dates and time commitments for 2023 programme:
Friday 22 September – Programme Kick-off (full-day, in-person workshop)
Monday 25 September – Monday 4 December – Fortnightly groups check-in (in-person, two hours)
Friday,3 November – Mid-way workshop (full-day, in-person workshop)
Wednesday 6 December – Final presentation (1pm, in-person)
Customer conversations and research, and capturing the feedback (in-person and online) – 5 hours per week
Online learning (own time) – 1 hour per week
Online check-ins with the Managers (Office hours) – 1 hour every fortnight
Final Presentation
Your journey with the Researcher Hatchery culminates in a final presentation where you share your findings with the group. Depending on the nature of your project, this presentation may serve as a pathway into other programmes and/or funding opportunities.
Cost
No Charge. While there is no charge to join the programme, there is a cost to the University. Therefore, all applications will be assessed to ensure the best outcome for you and the University.
Facilitation team
Duncan Ledwith
Since moving to New Zealand from Scotland in 2005, Duncan Ledwith has been a driving force in the local start-up ecosystem through mentorship, education, investment, and more. He is widely recognised as a leading expert in market validation and has been involved in the Icehouse and CIE from the very start. His areas of expertise include early-stage and technology investing, international market entry, large-scale strategic partnerships, building international sales revenue, and science commercialisation. He has founded several successful start-ups and held senior leadership positions at Microsoft from 1990 to 2005. In 2022, Duncan was honoured as one of the Business School’s Star Volunteers for his unwavering support of Velocity and CIE programmes. We are thrilled to have Duncan on board as one of our Hatchery managers this year.
Craig Squire
Born in South Africa, Craig grew up in the Hawkes Bay and graduated from Victoria University with a BA/LLB. Initially a finance lawyer, Craig moved into Investment banking during his decade abroad in the UK. Craig returned to NZ, becoming a full-time Dad to his two girls while also managing several property development projects, investing in multiple start-ups, and starting two companies of his own (solar and sustainable property development in conjunction with local authorities). Craig has been involved in the Auckland tech start-up community since joining Ice Angels in 2011. In 2016 he completed a Masters in Innovation and Commercialisation at the University of Auckland’s Business School. This led to his involvement with most of NZ’s Crown Research Institutes (as well as Kiwinet directly), consulting on projects ranging from whole-portfolio and IP reviews and the provision of strategic advice to individual technology engagements, including both licencing and spin-outs. Craig’s sweet spot is complex technology that requires market validation. As a consultant, he specialised in market discovery – the on-the-ground engagement with potential customers to discover the problems worth solving and the product-market fit. With many years of engaging with complex science and potential customers and investors, Craig’s experience helps founders and early-stage investors move forward with confidence. Ensuring that the big questions have been asked and answered and a clear path to market (where identified) is able to be articulated.
How to apply
Please apply as early as possible, as applications are assessed as they are received.
- Limited places are available.
- Individual or team applications accepted
- Research with either potential commercial or societal impact will be considered
Important Note: Your applications will be shared with UniServices, to ensure your research receives protection and maximum support.
EMAIL
CIE@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ
POSTAL ADDRESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
PRIVATE BAG 92019, AUCKLAND
