AUT Ventures has access to funding, investors and collaborators for early-stage capital raise, through to the late stage commercialisation of projects.
The three main commercialisation-funding mechanisms we use are:
The AUT Internal Commercialisation Fund is available to researchers with projects that have:
The PreSeed Accelerator Fund (PSAF) is designed to facilitate the application of the results of research through supporting commercialisation. The scheme is intended to foster commercialisation skills, technological learning and technological innovation by public sector research providers. The PSAF fund provides 50% of the total project costs.
The objectives of PSAF are to:
PSAF funding is split into four smaller funds, one purely for technical development (the Seed/Kill fund) and three directed at commercialisation (Tiers 1-3 funds). The funding decision for Seed/Kill and Tier 1 investments is devolved to the KiwiNet partner institution. Tier 2 and 3 funding is subject to review by the Kiwinet investment Committee.
The Seed/Kill fund provides PSAF investment for each KiwiNet partner to invest in projects that show good commercial potential, but where technical risk is acting as a barrier to commercialisation. The concept is that a comparatively small amount of targeted investment into technology development will hopefully overcome areas of key technical risk in a project and make it a viable commercialisation opportunity.
The objectives of this initiative are:
For further information on how AUT Ventures can help you access funding and investment opportunities for your commercial project, please contact Michael Feilding, Senior Commercialisation Manager.
For other forms of research funding, such as grants, collaborative research, research & development, please contact the University Research Office.