We welcome you to attend an industry-academic event, the Innovation in the bioeconomy: Stories from the lab to the market. Hosted by Lincoln University Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness, the Food Systems Research Cluster at the University of Canterbury Business School and ChristchurchNZ, this event explores how New Zealand’s bio-based innovations move from concept to commercialisation.
The Summit brings together researchers and industry partners to share stories of innovation and commercialisation — from early-stage research to successful market launches. Through real-world examples of materials science, biotechnology, digital traceability, and agri-food innovation, this summit celebrates New Zealand’s leadership in building a regenerative and circular bioeconomy.
The morning concludes with a facilitated panel and networking lunch, offering opportunities to connect with stakeholders shaping New Zealand’s circular bioeconomy.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Timings
9:00 – 9:10 AM Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:10 – 9:30 AM A University Perspective on New Product Development
Presentation by Dr Ali Reza Nazmi - School of Product Design, University of Canterbury
9:30 – 9:50: AM Stories 1: From the Lab to the Market - The PolyNatural Story
Presentation by Gareth Innes (Senior Manager, PolyNatural)
9:50 – 10:10 AM Stories 2: Tertiary Extracts Ōtautahi — Advancing Women’s Health Through Bioactive Innovation
Presentation by Rob Kelly (Tertiary Extracts Ōtautahi) on transforming sheep-derived proteins into commercial health applications.
10:10 – 10:40 AM Morning Tea Break
10:40 – 11:00 AM Storytelling for Transparency — Blockchain and Provenance in the BioEconomy
Presentation by Melissa Baer (Backstory) on using blockchain and digital storytelling to connect consumers to the grower and the land.
11:00 – 11:20 AM Global Perspectives — Insights from the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit
Presentation by Travis Glare (Lincoln Agritech) sharing lessons from the region’s leading agri-food innovation forum: trends, collaborations, and investment readiness.
11:20 – 12:00 PM Facilitated Panel & Q&A: Building a Regenerative BioEconomy
Moderated discussion with all speakers.
Topics: scaling innovation, cross-sector partnerships, market engagement, and investment pathways.
12:00 – 12:10 PM Closing Remarks
Reflections and key takeaways
12:10 – 1:00 PM Networking Lunch
Thursday 27th November
9.00am - 1.00pm
Inaka, Waimarie Building, Lincoln University
Brought to you in partnership with:
The Food Systems Research Cluster at the University of Canterbury Business School
The Local Food Systems Research Cluster is composed of like-minded researchers with an interest in food systems. This cluster takes a broader and inclusive view of food systems that includes wine and novel culinary systems. It aims to generate impactful research that highlight various aspects of New Zealand food and wine products.
ChristchurchNZ
Ōtautahi Christchurch’s sustainable economic development agency. Together we’re shaping an economy where people and places thrive. Our work is focused on making Ōtautahi Christchurch a better place to live, work and play by improving the city’s productivity, liveability and attractiveness.
About Our Speakers
Dr Ali Reza Nazmi
Dr Ali Reza Nazmi is a lecturer in the School of Product Design at the University of Canterbury, specialising in human-centred design and innovative product development. His research explores the intersection of design, technology, and user experience, with a focus on creating solutions that are both functional and socially impactful. Dr Nazmi teaches across design practice and methodology, helping students develop the creative and analytical skills needed to bring new ideas to life.
Gareth Innes is Senior Manager at PolyNatural, where he leads commercial strategy and partnerships for the company’s innovative, plant-based crop protection technologies. With a background spanning agribusiness, product development, and sustainability, Gareth works closely with growers, industry partners, and researchers to bring natural, science-driven solutions to market. He is committed to advancing agricultural practices that improve crop quality, reduce environmental impact, and support a more sustainable global food system.
Rob Kelly (Tertiary Extracts Ōtautahi) – Bioactive proteins and women’s health
Dr Rob Kelly is the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Tertiary Extracts Ōtautahi (TEO Ltd), a Christchurch-based company advancing natural product extraction and bioprocessing technologies. With a background in biotechnology and applied chemistry, Rob leads TEO’s research and innovation programmes, focusing on sustainable, high-value extraction methods for the bioeconomy. His work bridges science and industry, driving the development of scalable solutions that add value to New Zealand’s natural resources.
Melissa Baer (Backstory) – Blockchain for provenance and ethical storytelling
Melissa is a farmer, technologist, entrepreneur, social scientist, futurist, and high-performance athlete. A natural synthesiser of ideas, she connects insights across science, technology, ecology, and human behaviour to reveal new opportunities and solutions. Drawing on her diverse background and multidisciplinary training, Melissa explores how reconnecting with our land, bodies, and potential can help build a more prosperous, healthy, and fulfilling world.
Travis Glare (Lincoln Agritech) – Global insights from the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit
Professor Travis Glare is CEO of Lincoln Agritech and Professor of Applied Entomology at Lincoln University. He is also co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Biosouth Ltd and Managing Director of Agroceutical Products NZ Ltd. With a background in insect pathology, molecular biology, and biopesticide development, Travis has extensive experience in research leadership, commercialisation, and biotechnology innovation.