An engineering researcher turned entrepreneur at the University of Canterbury (UC) was one of last night’s KiwiNet Research Commercialization Awards winners.
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Jonathan Ring, a UC Master of Engineering graduate.
UC Master of Engineering Jonathan Ring received a Breakthrough Innovator Award for his company, Zincavery, which is decarbonizing zinc recycling.
Ring began developing Zincovery’s technology while working on his master’s thesis at UC with co-founder Professor Aaron Marshall. This innovative technology recycles zinc from galvanized steel five times more efficiently than traditional methods, making it an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative. The global market opportunity for this technology is estimated at over $10 billion annually and growing.
In two years, Ring transformed his master’s project technology into a seven-person start-up.
Kiwinet Award finalists include UC Distinguished Professor Maggie-Lee Huckabee of the Researcher-Entrepreneurship category for innovative technology for dysphagia rehabilitation, and co-founder and CEO of a next-generation materials startup. It included UC Product Design and Commerce student Ben Scales. Her KiwiFibre in the Momentum Student Entrepreneur category.
The KiwiNet Awards honor the scientific discoveries developed and marketed by New Zealand universities and other research institutions and their impact on Aotearoa and beyond.