Andy Shenk, the chief executive of Auckland UniServices, the commercialisation subsidiary of the University of Auckland, knows that collaborating with the Māori people is important. He also knows that big data and AI offer great opportunities, but tells me about some of the challenges too.

He also argues that the country’s remoteness actually makes space tech a strength for New Zealand, although the nation still struggles with a lack of serial entrepreneurs despite the fact that many people are open to trying their hands at a startup.

Auckland UniServices is also unique in that it doesn’t simply create its own spinouts and startups, but also operates businesses – including one that trained medical staff in delivering the covid-19 vaccine across New Zealand and several Pacific island nations.

Today we’re revisiting a classic episode from the archives. If you want to know more about Auckland UniServices, head on over to globalventuring.com/university where you can find a brand new op-ed from Andy’s colleague Will Charles looking at why university venture funds and low equity stakes are important.

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Beyond the Breakthrough

Andy Shenk: New Zealand's remoteness makes it ideal for space tech (rebroadcast)

Beyond the Breakthrough is a weekly interview show with the brightest minds in university innovation tackling the question: how does research get from a lab into the marketplace?