Kiwi businesses have a 'dismal record' for commercialising their innovations, says exec

Turning Innovation into Gold is a nationwide seminar series organised by national intellectual property specialists James - Wells with an aim to champion Kiwi innovation.

For businesses wanting to protect their products and be inspired by other Kiwi business success stories, James - Wells will be hosting a series of new regional events.

The series will see them teaming up with the Innovation Council and a number of Kiwi innovators who will share their stories on how they've turned innovation into sustainable commercial success.

Ceri Wells, James - Wells founding partner and seminar series panellist says New Zealand is an innovative country but we have a dismal record by OECD standards for successfully commercialising our innovations. 

"Although innovation is on the boardroom agenda like never before, there is little point if you can't transform your inventions into sustained commercial success," she says.

Wells explains that New Zealand business has to up its game in this area.

"We're far from our markets so the ideal product for us is one that can be sold, licenced and delivered electronically. The seminar series will be very relevant and hugely beneficial for kiwi businesses, especially for those with an eye on the export market," she adds.

The series has secured 12 speakers including ARANZ Medical CEO Dr Bruce Davey, New Zealand Mānuka Group CEO Karl Gradon, Gallagher Research and Development executive Rob Heebink and StretchSense CTO and Co-Founder Todd Gisby.

With a spotlight on New Zealand's changing innovation landscape, the panellists will share with attendees their tips for maximising innovation in today's fragmented and challenging business world.