Basis Awarded Prestigious Ārohia Trailblazer Grant

Basis has been recognised as a leading innovator in the New Zealand market, securing a coveted Ārohia Trailblazer Grant.

The grant, awarded by Callaghan Innovation, is designed to support businesses making significant contributions to New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem. Of 86 applicants, Basis stood out for its exceptional application and demonstrated potential for groundbreaking innovation.

Supporting New Zealand’s Innovation Ecosystem

The Ārohia Trailblazer Grant is part of Callaghan Innovation’s new initiative to propel groundbreaking businesses to the next level. It targets companies at the critical “getting ready to go to market” stage—companies that have completed the lion's share of their research and development and are now poised to introduce game-changing products or services to the world.

The grant process is highly competitive, seeking to fund only the best of those driving innovation in New Zealand. As part of the selection process, businesses are evaluated on how they contribute to New Zealand’s broader innovation ecosystem. The panel noted that Basis delivered an outstanding, simplified application and demonstrated a high level of diversity in our evidence, drawing from various credible sources. Our approach helped illustrate the robustness of our solution and our commitment to transforming energy consumption and management.

What the Ārohia Trailblazer Grant Means for Basis

For Basis, receiving the Ārohia Trailblazer Grant is a significant endorsement of the work we’ve been doing to reshape how energy is consumed and managed in homes. With this funding, we are better equipped to bring the Basis smart panel to market, making energy management smarter, safer, and more efficient for homeowners in New Zealand and beyond. The Basis smart panel not only helps people monitor and reduce their energy consumption, but it also unlocks the potential of the smart grid, paving the way for a more sustainable and interconnected future.

The panel commended Basis for demonstrating the qualities of a mature start-up with strong market traction and substantial investment, reinforcing our belief that we’re on the right path to making a significant impact in the electricity market. The panel also noted Basis's high-calibre team, ready to make a difference in the energy market.

The Road Ahead: Sustainability, Innovation, and Impact

At Basis, we’re committed to delivering innovative solutions that don’t just benefit our customers but also contribute to the global effort to create more sustainable, energy-efficient homes. As we prepare to launch the Basis smart panel, this grant enables us to move forward confidently, knowing that some of the brightest minds in New Zealand’s innovation community share our vision for a smarter, more sustainable energy future.

We are incredibly proud to share this journey with the other six recipients of the Ārohia Trailblazer Grant. Each of these businesses is making an invaluable contribution to Aotearoa’s innovation ecosystem, and we are honoured to stand alongside them in showcasing Kiwi ingenuity to the world.

Congratulations to Our Fellow Recipients

We want to extend our congratulations to the other amazing recipients of the Ārohia Trailblazer Grant - Astrix Astronautics,EMROD, FABRUM., Toku Eyes, Zincovery and Zenno Astronautics. These businesses are doing remarkable work across various sectors, and together, we are all pushing the boundaries of innovation in Aotearoa.