Seven local entries make final cut in Innovation Awards

Louise Webster

Seven entries from the Bay of Plenty have made it into the finals of the New Zealand Innovation Awards with the winners being named on October 21.

The finalists include Ubco, Scion, Rhondium, Roholm, Terax 2013 and Look After Me, with Alistair Scarfe, head of Robotics Plus, named in the Young New Zealand Innovator category.

Plant and Food Research Auckland is also on the final list for developing a response to the kiwifruit virus Psa, which included a big involvement of its Te Puke research centre.

The NZ Innovation Council runs the awards, which celebrate emerging high-growth businesses and profile their innovative products, services and ventures. Council chief executive Louise Webster said this year's entrants gave a real sense that Kiwi innovation was moving into the mainstream, demonstrating world-leading approaches to innovation, with many businesses going global.

Finalists include:

Ubco (Innovation in Agribusiness and Environment/ Innovation in Design and Engineering/ Innovation in Sustainability and Cleantech)

The Ubco 2x2 is an all-wheel drive electric motorbike with rural and urban applications.

Rhondium (Innovation in Health and Science/Excellence in Social Innovation)

The Rhondium One Visit Crown supplies dentists with a ready-made range of crowns, which can be fitted in one visit, reducing cost and inconvenience.

Terax 2013 (Innovation in Agribusiness and Environment/ Innovation in Sustainability and Cleantech)

Terax's waste conversion technology reduces wastewater, eliminates organic solids, sterilises them, and recovers useful components such as nitrogen and carbon for recycling.

Scion (Innovation in Design and Engineering)

Scion's patented technology enables commercial production of wood fibre "dice" which can be inserted into machinery releasing wood fibres into thermoplastic polymers to create products that are stronger.

Roholm (Innovation in Marketing and Communications)

Roholm's Inverse Ice Core Conditioning System uses sub-zero temperature to condition and style hair instead of coating or modifying it with chemicals.

Look After Me (Innovation in Marketing and Communications)

Look After Me is an online marketplace for home-based accommodation that connects home-owners and guests for short stays.

Alistair Scarfe (Young New Zealand Innovator)

Alistair Scarfe is the director of Robotics Plus, which has created a number of technological devices that assist in streamlining packing and pollination processes.