Ben Phillpotts-Scales & William Murrell
New Zealand Innovator of the Year
Finalist
Spark
New Zealand Innovator of the Year
Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau
Ben Phillpotts-Scales & William Murrell
As the co-founders of KiwiFibre, Ben Phillpotts-Scales and William Murrell (Ngāi Tahu) are pioneering sustainable innovation on the world stage by harnessing some homegrown goodness: our humble harakeke. By developing natural-fibre composite materials from harakeke – a native New Zealand fibre renowned for its strength and versatility – KiwiFibre’s revolutionary materials offer a solution which allows industry to overcome technical, environmental, and human health challenges associated with conventional fibreglass and carbon fibre.
After first dreaming up KiwiFibre during a group project at the University of Canterbury, Ben and William have seen quick success: raising over $5 million for their venture since inception in 2020, and remaining on track for further investment to drive growth. Their unique fibre has the potential for a diverse range of applications – from sports equipment to aerospace technology (and even the bumpers on New Zealand rally driver Hayden Paddon’s brand new electric rally car). Currently, KiwiFibre is the only company in the world using technology to turn harakeke into carbon fibre composite materials – and in 2024, earned a spot on the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list.
After first dreaming up KiwiFibre during a group project at the University of Canterbury, Ben and William have seen quick success: raising over $5 million for their venture since inception in 2020, and remaining on track for further investment to drive growth. Their unique fibre has the potential for a diverse range of applications – from sports equipment to aerospace technology (and even the bumpers on New Zealand rally driver Hayden Paddon’s brand new electric rally car). Currently, KiwiFibre is the only company in the world using technology to turn harakeke into carbon fibre composite materials – and in 2024, earned a spot on the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list.
These game changers in their field have used their insight and their passion to make a significant impact. In the spirit of Kiwi inventiveness and resourcefulness, they have created a better future for Aotearoa.
Nominees of this Award must:
- Be an individual who conceptualised and developed an innovation involving a product, service, technology, idea/theory or process across any industry sector including (but not limited to) health, science, technology, robotics, business, education, environmental, sustainability, agriculture, disadvantaged communities, and non-profits.
- Have had significant impact over the last 12 months.
- Be a role model for New Zealanders and highlight a brighter future for New Zealanders.
- Meet Awards Conditions of Entry.
Judges will review each nominee using the following criteria:
- 10 points: INNOVATION:
Describe the innovation of your nominee and the thoughtful, creative, and innovative approach it takes to resolve a challenge. - 10 points: NEED:
What problem does the innovation solve? And how is it unique to the market? - 10 points: COMMITMENT:
Describe the commitment of time, risks, and challenges overcome to develop the innovation to this point (this may still be ongoing). - 10 points: PROVEN-IMPACT:
How has the innovation clearly demonstrated a positive impact on the targeted community (particularly over the last 12-months)? How has this been measured? - 10 points: POTENTIAL:
Describe the opportunity the innovation has to generate economic, social, and/or environmental benefits for a local industry sector, the nation, and or globally. - 10 points: LONG-TERM IMPACT:
How is the nominee planning to enhance, grow, and/or adapt the innovation in the future to best meet the changing needs of the targeted population? How would winning this award impact this person and the work that they are doing?
2025
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