The Launch of AUT Solutions: Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry

For decades, universities have been the engine rooms of discovery. Behind campus doors, researchers are quietly mapping the future: engineering earthquake-resilient cities, using AI to drive creative production, tracking the health of our native forests with multispectral drones, and unearthing the data needed to close gender and ethnic pay gaps.

But a fundamental challenge has always existed on both sides of the campus gates: how do we help our brilliant minds to not just publish their findings, but actively apply them to help businesses, governments, and communities solve immediate problems?

Historically, this hasn't been easy. For an industry leader, navigating a massive university to find the right expert can be frustrating. For our AUT academics, the desire to consult or translate their work into the commercial world is often weighed down by the heavy administration of project scoping, contract negotiation, and IP management.

It was time to build a better bridge.

That’s why AUT Ventures and Te Kahui Poipoi Rangahau | Research Office are incredibly proud to announce the launch of  AUT Solutions, a new brand for consulting and contract research at AUT.

The Solutions brand was born from a simple but powerful idea: finding expertise at AUT should be as seamless as possible. This new brand acts as the "front door" for industry partners, while simultaneously serving as a dedicated commercial support engine for our academic staff.

AUT Solutions Chief Executive, Michael Fielding explains,  “Universities are under pressure to deliver more value to the communities we serve. ‘AUT Solutions’ sends a really clear signal that we want to work with businesses, government, and NGOs – and an applied university like AUT can be a real leader in this.”

Through AUT Solutions, we are connecting Aotearoa’s government, charities and businesses with the university’s greatest assets through flexible engagement models:

• Consulting: Enabling industry to work directly with AUT’s thought leaders for independent, research-backed advice, whether for data modelling, policy development, or acting as an expert witness. For researchers, it brings exciting opportunities to diversify your work and amplify your impact.
• Contract Research: We deliver comprehensive, co-designed commercial R&D projects.
• Specialised Facilities: We support staff to unlock AUT’s state-of-the-art facilities for commercial use. This gives industry partners access to world-class infrastructure they couldn't easily find elsewhere, such as prototyping labs and immersive tech spaces.

To ensure these partnerships thrive, we have created a new role, and a website will be launched in the coming weeks dedicated to removing the friction around consulting and contract research.

Melissa Wong recently joined us as Solutions Manager. Operating in a proactive business development capacity and working alongside industry engagement colleagues within Faculties and Networks, Melissa is laser-focused on building interest and capacity across AUT for commercial engagements, while also directly supporting large-scale commercial bids.

She joins Tom Davidson, who brings deep institutional knowledge from his years as AUT Ventures’ Contracts Manager. Research funding bids and contract research engagements will continue to be supported by AUT’s External Research Funding Manager, Gary Putt, and Research Advisor, Rimmi Kothari.

Innovation happens at the intersection of deep knowledge and practical need. AUT Solutions exists to mobilise the wealth of knowledge within AUT to drive economic resilience, technological advancement, and social equity across New Zealand and beyond.

Let’s change the world, together.

• For Industry Partners: If your organisation is facing a challenge that requires specialised expertise, independent validation, or cutting-edge innovation, the door is officially open.
• For AUT Staff: If you are interested in consulting to industry, accessing our templates, or exploring how your expertise can be applied commercially, we are here to support you.

Keep an eye out for future announcements about the beta website or reach out to our team at solutions@aut.ac.nz to start the conversation or provide feedback.