Kiwi 3D Digital Industry Reaches Next Step
Budget 2007 is providing further support to create a world-leading 3D digital content and graphics industry in New Zealand, Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard announced today.
"Nextspace is a not-for-profit contract research and innovation centre closely linked to cutting edge software company Right Hemisphere. It is to receive $7 million in funding over the next three years for a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering kiwi 3D digital content and graphics firms and research institutions," said Trevor Mallard.
"In particular, Nextspace will run an Auckland facility that will help grow a "virtual cluster" of companies, researchers and others specialising in graphics communications technology – from around New Zealand.
"The development of such a cluster was a key component of the government's Spillover Agreement with Right Hemisphere late last year. The government provided a $US8 million loan to that company in return for its commitment to fostering New Zealand's 3D content and graphics industry.
"Nextspace will deliver on the government's agreement with Right Hemisphere, with the aim of making graphical communications technology a major industry and export for New Zealand. This is a multi-billion dollar industry that's growing rapidly and where New Zealand already has an edge. It’s a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand to continue to build its leadership in this high value area - an opportunity that fits perfectly with the government's aim of creating a high-income, innovative, export-led economy.
"The cluster will bring together companies developing and using the 3D technology as well as universities and research organisations to develop research and commercial projects that build on New Zealand’s existing strength in 3D digital graphics technology. Nextspace will also help with delivering firms a path to market and connections to international clients."
While still in the very early stages of formation Nextspace is already attracting interest from New Zealand companies and universities, as well as major offshore companies and research institutions.
Right Hemisphere will provide software and hardware to Nextspace, as well as being a key source of leads and contacts for research and development partnerships.
"Participating companies will benefit from linkages to Right Hemisphere’s technology, knowledge and management capabilities as well as that company's international connections.
"For instance, Right Hemisphere has backing from two of the most prestigious venture capital firms in the world, Sequoia Capital Partners and Sutter Hill, and is poised to become a firm of global significance. This arrangement will allow New Zealand organisations to leverage off that success and secure major benefits for the New Zealand economy," Trevor Mallard said.
Nextspace – core business and projects
Supporting NZ organisations to solve graphics-related business research and development issues
Being part of key research projects where the Right Hemisphere products are essential
Helping upskill workforce in this area by supporting universities to take part in graphics related research and teaching
Facilitating the use of and act as a conduit to the Right Hemisphere software and various Virtual Reality platforms
Training and teaching programmes
Use of virtual reality facilities
Direct access to the Right Hemisphere product range and expertise at little or no cost. Other companies wishing to operate in this space would either need comparable software or to purchase the Right Hemisphere software. Even so, they would not have the same access to the core code and developers
Access to the Right Hemisphere (and other partners') international client base
Work directly with clients, but help other companies to work with their clients
Providing a path to global market for New Zealand organisations
Practical examples of the types of spinoffs for NZ firms and researchers:
International clients associated with Nextspace partners wish to do R&D using the Right Hemisphere products. Nextspace gains access to their research funds (as separate from normal investment funds). New Zealand companies and universities would then be involved in providing the solution.
International clients have a complex business problem that could be solved using the Right Hemisphere products. New Zealand organisations could be subcontracted to provide the solution.
NZ organisations have specific business or R&D problems. Either Nextspace works directly with them or through another organisation.
NZ organisations have identified a specific market niche that could be solved with the Right Hemisphere products but need some R&D. This may generate new Intellectual Property and new spinoff companies. These may be other companies or research institutes.
NZ research organisations, business incubators, or people associated with them, who, as a result of a research project, have developed a product based on the Right Hemisphere products that may be commercialised.
Venture Capital and Business Incubator organisations can use the Right Hemisphere products as a platform to aid new startups.
A document containing background information on Nextspace is available
"Nextspace is a not-for-profit contract research and innovation centre closely linked to cutting edge software company Right Hemisphere. It is to receive $7 million in funding over the next three years for a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering kiwi 3D digital content and graphics firms and research institutions," said Trevor Mallard.
"In particular, Nextspace will run an Auckland facility that will help grow a "virtual cluster" of companies, researchers and others specialising in graphics communications technology – from around New Zealand.
"The development of such a cluster was a key component of the government's Spillover Agreement with Right Hemisphere late last year. The government provided a $US8 million loan to that company in return for its commitment to fostering New Zealand's 3D content and graphics industry.
"Nextspace will deliver on the government's agreement with Right Hemisphere, with the aim of making graphical communications technology a major industry and export for New Zealand. This is a multi-billion dollar industry that's growing rapidly and where New Zealand already has an edge. It’s a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand to continue to build its leadership in this high value area - an opportunity that fits perfectly with the government's aim of creating a high-income, innovative, export-led economy.
"The cluster will bring together companies developing and using the 3D technology as well as universities and research organisations to develop research and commercial projects that build on New Zealand’s existing strength in 3D digital graphics technology. Nextspace will also help with delivering firms a path to market and connections to international clients."
While still in the very early stages of formation Nextspace is already attracting interest from New Zealand companies and universities, as well as major offshore companies and research institutions.
Right Hemisphere will provide software and hardware to Nextspace, as well as being a key source of leads and contacts for research and development partnerships.
"Participating companies will benefit from linkages to Right Hemisphere’s technology, knowledge and management capabilities as well as that company's international connections.
"For instance, Right Hemisphere has backing from two of the most prestigious venture capital firms in the world, Sequoia Capital Partners and Sutter Hill, and is poised to become a firm of global significance. This arrangement will allow New Zealand organisations to leverage off that success and secure major benefits for the New Zealand economy," Trevor Mallard said.
Nextspace – core business and projects
Supporting NZ organisations to solve graphics-related business research and development issues
Being part of key research projects where the Right Hemisphere products are essential
Helping upskill workforce in this area by supporting universities to take part in graphics related research and teaching
Facilitating the use of and act as a conduit to the Right Hemisphere software and various Virtual Reality platforms
Training and teaching programmes
Use of virtual reality facilities
Direct access to the Right Hemisphere product range and expertise at little or no cost. Other companies wishing to operate in this space would either need comparable software or to purchase the Right Hemisphere software. Even so, they would not have the same access to the core code and developers
Access to the Right Hemisphere (and other partners') international client base
Work directly with clients, but help other companies to work with their clients
Providing a path to global market for New Zealand organisations
Practical examples of the types of spinoffs for NZ firms and researchers:
International clients associated with Nextspace partners wish to do R&D using the Right Hemisphere products. Nextspace gains access to their research funds (as separate from normal investment funds). New Zealand companies and universities would then be involved in providing the solution.
International clients have a complex business problem that could be solved using the Right Hemisphere products. New Zealand organisations could be subcontracted to provide the solution.
NZ organisations have specific business or R&D problems. Either Nextspace works directly with them or through another organisation.
NZ organisations have identified a specific market niche that could be solved with the Right Hemisphere products but need some R&D. This may generate new Intellectual Property and new spinoff companies. These may be other companies or research institutes.
NZ research organisations, business incubators, or people associated with them, who, as a result of a research project, have developed a product based on the Right Hemisphere products that may be commercialised.
Venture Capital and Business Incubator organisations can use the Right Hemisphere products as a platform to aid new startups.
A document containing background information on Nextspace is available