The University of Auckland’s Taumata Teitei | Vision 2030 and Strategic Plan 2025 outlines the University’s ambition to become a “powerhouse of innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity”.  To support this, the University of Auckland is fostering a dynamic start-up ecosystem by developing a connected set of support mechanisms that provide incentives and resources to assist staff and students to develop commercial impact from their research, usually in the form of start-ups, spinouts and IP transfer / collaboration agreements.  

The University of Auckland leads the way in generating groundbreaking research and, at UniServices, we're all about supporting that research to have a real-world economic impact. In today's fast-paced global economy, this means engaging with industry, creating new economic opportunities, and driving productivity and job creation.  

As part of our commitment to innovation, we've worked across the University to ensure there are initiatives in place to help our staff and students transform their research into commercial ventures. One of the cornerstones of this effort is the University of Auckland Inventors’ Fund (UoAIF) . This $40 million pre-seed/seed fund, managed by UniServices, provides critical funding for early-stage companies. Established in 2016, UoAIF is the first fund of its kind in Aotearoa/New Zealand and is inspired by similar successful funds at major entrepreneurial universities worldwide. 

Our approach  
To make it easier for our staff and students to dive into the world of start-ups, our “Easy Start-Up” model aims to help simplify and accelerate the process of transforming great ideas into thriving businesses. 

• Support at every step: We offer a range of programs on campus to help ideators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and prospective founders develop their business ideas. The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) provides market validation, business plan development, and incubation services. UniServices offers expertise in IP management, access to networks of technical and business experts, and early-stage capital through initiatives like Return on Science and Momentum. 
• Ready-made legal support: To reduce the overhead and ensure that our start-ups are investor-ready from day one, we’ve created a set of best-practice legal templates. These make the process of setting up a company straightforward and efficient.  
• Idea protection: UniServices works to ensure research IP is protected.  Any staff or students who believe their research or idea has investment potential, can confidentially share their idea with us and we can help ensure your intellectual property (IP) is protected. 
• Equity sharing with the University: If the University has an ownership interest in the intellectual property required by the start-up, we can license this IP to the company in exchange for a small equity stake - typically not more than 10%. 
• Streamlined investment applications: Our entrepreneurs and founders are supported by our experienced investment managers to refine their proposals, which are then reviewed by an investment committee. This committee includes successful entrepreneurs and investors, attracting interest from both Australasian and international venture capital funds. 
  Convertible Note Investments: UoAIF typically invests through Convertible Notes. This common early-stage investment instrument allows for quick funding while deferring the company valuation to a later stage when third-party investors are involved. 
• Securing future investment: UniServices collaborates with founders and entrepreneurs to help them attract additional investments from venture capitalists and other investors, facilitating their company’s growth. The goal is for founders to retain significant ownership of their company through multiple funding rounds. 

Flexible options for inventors 
For those inventors who prefer not to be directly involved in a start-up, UniServices can handle the commercial transfer of their valuable IP to the private sector. In these cases, any net benefits (after expenses) are shared among the inventors, the department, and UniServices on behalf of the University. 

An important place in the innovation ecosystem    
At UniServices, we are proud to be a key part of New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem - empowering Waipapa Taumata Rau / University of Auckland staff and students to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses. By providing comprehensive support, minimising costs, and facilitating important investment, we aim to make the journey from research to commercial impact as smooth and impactful as possible. 

For more information about University of Auckland IP or investment opportunities, get in touch!