Peter Crabtree on how science & innovation leads to meaning.
Peter Crabtree joins the board of BioOra to support the investment made by Bridgewest Ventures. He talks about his extensive government experience in science and innovation strategy and policy and the opportunity for New Zealand to bring meaning to the world through deep tech.
The way Peter Crabtree sees the world has a strong scientific basis. He is attracted to complex systems and the rigour of the scientific process. But to him, the real magic happens when science and R&D come to life through entrepreneurship and innovation.
“When science and innovation come together,” he says, “ we find opportunities to create meaning in the world.”
Peter’s outlook comes from his experience. He has two decades as a New Zealand government official under his belt– 11 spent on science and innovation strategy and policy.
Early in his career, he led the creation of Callaghan Innovation and had oversight of the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF) before it became New Zealand Growth Capital Partners. He even worked on initiatives like the R&D tax credits and the Technology Incubator Programme that Bridgewest Ventures is now a part of.
Most recently, Peter led the all-of-government strategy for New Zealand’s COVID-19 response and chaired the Vaccine Taskforce, overseeing the nation’s purchase of vaccines. On top of all this, he also led the creation and continual development of the New Zealand Space Agency.
Clearly, Peter thrives in the complexity science and innovation brings, especially when leading to a safer, healthier world. Now, Peter is stepping into a strategic advisor role on BioOra’s board to support both Bridgewest Ventures and the Malaghan institute of Medical Research.
BioOra is a new company working in partnership with the Malaghan institute to automate the manufacturing process of CAR T-cells, a therapeutic said to revolutionise cancer treatment like antibiotics did for bacterial infections.
While CAR T-cell therapeutics aren’t a new technology, BioOra is focussed on streamlining and automating the manufacturing process so it can be easily scaled. This means the treatment would be more widely available to New Zealanders and other cancer patients worldwide.
To Peter, the ability to make a difference in a specific niche, like manufacturing CAR T-cells, is what separates technology from deep tech.
“With deep tech, you have the real possibility to create an enduring competitive advantage,” he says, “but establishing this niche doesn’t come easily. Deep tech entrepreneurs face a long lead time to commercialisation. Support in the early growth stages is key, and that’s where Bridgewest Ventures comes in.”
Peter describes Bridgewest Ventures as an early-stage investor, growing companies in New Zealand with a global mindset. Their investment choices come down to what is likely to have a large-scale impact on the world. They bring more to the table than just a monetary investment.
“It’s not just the money; it’s the smarts. They’re bringing a deep understanding of advanced technologies with a strong biotechnology background and strong engagement with clinical research and development. Through their team, you have recourse with people all over the world who are leaders in their fields, who can get you access to markets, and can help you solve the challenges of going global.”
Peter also describes the unique position deep tech innovators in New Zealand are in. Because our country is small, it is easier to access and collaborate with the public sector. This symbiotic relationship between the government and innovators is essential when bringing deep tech to the market.
“New Zealand is in a position to be a hub for deep tech and has the advantage of being small and nimble. As a country, we can back companies like BioOra and establish meaningful change here and around the world.”
Do you have the next big idea in deep tech?
We’re searching for meaningful innovations that will impact our world socially, economically, or environmentally. This can come in many forms, from technology advances in AI development and semiconductor engineering to life science breakthroughs or biomedical discovery.
If you’ve got a novel idea, apply to the Bridgewest Ventures Deep Tech Incubator today!