€8.5M funded, Austria based clean-tech startup maintains deep roots within the University of Auckland’s research community.

Engineering Innovation and Collaboration at the Newmarket Innovation Precinct.

For Dr. Natalia Bullon, lead researcher at Vertus Energy based in New Zealand, the commercial research facilities are just one aspect of what makes working out of NIP so advantageous. Opportunities to build valuable relationships with researchers and access to a deep pool of talented engineering students are what keep Vertus anchored to the University. For Dr. Bullon and Vertus, collaboration is an essential aspect of their innovation strategy.

“As an environmental scientist my view is focused on understanding the variety of factors that contribute to a successful operation of our technology. This understanding provides a solid ground for our engineers to create solutions in a realistic scope.” “Bringing different disciplines together promotes creativity; it is like fresh air into Vertus. It is always exciting to bring in different people and say ‘Okay, let’s work together’. I like that.”

Associate Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Meng Wai Woo, sees collaboration between the University and Vertus as a valuable relationship for both parties. “The relationship with Vertus has been a win-win for the University of Auckland and Vertus. Vertus needed some help with their development research, and we have the capability, the equipment and also a lot of students looking for an opportunity to engage with industry”. Having already engaged one student in a full-time master’s project on optimising material effectiveness in anaerobic digestion, Vertus plans to fund at least one more of Associate Professor Woo’s masters students in 2025.

 Associate Professor Woo noted that the Newmarket Innovation Precinct’s ecosystem is vital to maintaining long-term relationships between academia and industry. “Having the colocation programme provides an incentive for companies to continue to engage. It is not just about providing a space for the company, it is providing a platform to build relationships.” Noting his weekly coffee meetings with Dr. Bullon, it is clear that both parties see their collaboration as an ongoing relationship. “These types of projects, once they are running, continue to grow and provide new opportunities”. “This is an ongoing, enduring relationship. It is not a one off, we are in it for the long haul”.

 Regarding what the future holds for Vertus here in Aotearoa, Dr. Bullon has big plans. Noting that New Zealand’s energy industry is currently under-developed and over-centralised, her and the Vertus team dream of a future where small, resilient communities are empowered through bio-energy hubs, where different technologies can convert various types of waste and by-products into valuable raw materials and energy sources. This will finally contribute to a circular economy, sustainable resource management and regenerative communities. 

The Newmarket Innovation Precinct (NIP) connects industry professionals with University of Auckland researchers and technical experts. Our R&D community collaborates especially on high-risk challenges with the potential to create new technologies.

Chris Manning, Newmarket Innovation Precinct.