Partnerships and Collaborative Arrangements
Powerhouse has good relationships with each of New Zealand’s universities and many other research institutions, with some formal relationships dating back to 2008. These arrangements underpin Powerhouse’s access to early-stage investment opportunities.
Through these partnerships, Powerhouse aims to:
- gain access to potentially world-class IP suitable for shaping into a start-up company;
- work with universities and research institutions to develop and improve the processes by which they identify IP suitable for commercialisation through company start-up;
- work closely with companies based on university and research institution IP in which Powerhouse has an interest to improve their prospects of success through Powerhouse’s operational, commercial, technical and strategic guidance; and
- realise value from its portfolio of companies through the creation of exit opportunities by way of trade sales and initial public offerings or the creation of profitable businesses paying dividends to shareholders.
In return, these organisations gain access to Powerhouse’s specialist expertise in assessing innovation. This model is strengthened through an on-campus location for each local Powerhouse investment team. Powerhouse is one of only three approved Technology-focused Incubators working with New Zealand's Callaghan Innovation to commercialise IP generated by universities and research institutions. This arrangement supports Powerhouse’s deal-sourcing activity by providing access to grants and other programmes that enable the creation of early-stage companies. Over time it is anticipated that Powerhouse will extend its reach to Australia utilising the same model and approach.
