27 November 2025 Bioeconomy Research Summit: Stories from the Lab to the Market

About

We welcome you to attend an industry-academic event, the Bioeconomy Research Summit: 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.

Tuesday 27 November

9:00am–1:00pm

Inaka, Waimarie Building, Lincoln University

Timings

9:00 – 9:15 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:15 – 9:45 AM

Session 1: From the Lab to the Market — Turning Plants into High-Performance Materials

TBC
Journey of R&D, process development, market validation, investment, and scale-up.

9:45 – 10:00 AM

Session 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.

10:00 – 10:30 AM

Session 3: 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.

10:30 – 11:00 AM

Morning Tea Break

11:00 – 11:20 AM

Session 4: 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

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 Speaker

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.

Menu