AI is everywhere. The difference is your business.
Innovation Activator works alongside New Zealand organisations to close that gap, turning AI capability into real business results. AI+ is how we do it.
Callaghan Innovationbuilt by alumni of New Zealand's national innovation agency
25 to 40+ yearsindividual technology and business experience across the team
20+ systemsin live client builds and daily use right now
More human·More capable·More successful·Better business·More human·More capable·More successful·Better business·
The real challenge
The hard part isn't the technology.
Every week brings a new tool, a new promise, a new reason to feel behind. Your team is stretched, the board wants progress, and you can't afford to invest in ideas that lead nowhere.
Most owners have plenty of interest. What's harder to come by is focus, clarity and confidence about where AI genuinely earns its place in your business.
Technology alone has never created value. Value comes from combining AI with what already makes your business work: your people, your knowledge, your customers, your judgement.
That combination is where we work.
How we deliver AI
AI on its own is capability. The value is in how it's applied.
AI+Business=Value
AI creates capability. Your business creates value. AI+ is how we bring them together.
PeoplePerformanceTechnologyGrowthTrust
How we work
Five steps, one process
The path from possibility to value. Start wherever your business is; each step stands on its own and earns the next, for businesses of every size.
Our process. Start anywhere.
The journey
This is how we work.
Five steps, one process, for businesses of every size. Start wherever your business is; each step earns the next.
Each one started with a real NZ business, their people and their problem. The systems transfer across industries - the fit is what changes.
Every system above comes from real client work - in daily use, or in build and test right now. Ask us to walk you through any of them, and what a version for your business would look like.
AI is the sharpest lever right now. We pull the others too.
R&D and funding, business model and systems innovation sit behind every engagement.
Innovation Activator was built by Callaghan Innovation alumni, the people behind some of New Zealand's most impactful innovation, with 10 to 35 years of hands-on experience each in deep technology, business innovation and system innovation.
We're your innovation partners. Business first, AI in the middle, value at the end.
+
Deep domain expertiseAI, R&D and business innovation, with the science and engineering depth to back it.
+
We co-design with youWe take the time to understand your exact needs first, then build with you so solutions stick, scale and get used.
+
We stay involvedHelping you test, adapt and deliver real results, not just recommendations.
On the ground with your team
Our people
The experts behind the work
Cross-disciplinary, purpose-led and hands-on. From AI and automation to clean energy and product design - they've designed, built, led, advised and delivered.
Nick SterlingFounder & CEO - system innovation, commercialisation & mission-led growth
Jan BroomeAI adoption & automation - making AI practical for NZ businesses
Steve CroweBusiness growth & digital marketing - AI-enabled sales & marketing systems
Donal KrouseAI, data science & optimisation - data-driven solutions & model risk
Raymond SebastiampillaiAI, applied physics & photonics - machine learning & sensing systems
Kevin WhitmoreDigital, AI & FinTech - automation, systems & scale-up growth
Robert HoltRenewable energy & sustainability - hydrogen systems & CO₂ capture
Patrick LimIndustrial automation & advanced manufacturing - Industry 4.0
