"Kitea Just Won. But Solving Chronic Care? That’s the Real Prize" Kitea, winner of Most Innovative Deep Tech Award

We’re proud to share that Kitea Health has been awarded the 2025 Aware – Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution at the NZ Hi-Tech Awards. This honour recognises our pioneering work in implantable sensors that offer real-time monitoring for conditions like hydrocephalus-tools that empower timely, proactive care. But this award means more than recognition. It speaks to a much larger mission.

Tackling a Chronic Problem, Boldly

Chronic health care management is one of the toughest, most persistent challenges in modern medicine. It affects millions, and despite countless efforts, remains unsolved-overwhelming patients, families, and health systems a like. At Kitea, we’ve chosen to meet that challenge head-on.

“We’re here because people backed the science. And because we refused to give up.”— Simon Malpas, CEO

The Reality Behind the Innovation

In his acceptance speech, CEO Simon Malpas reflected on the uphill road of building a deep tech startup in the health sector:

“It hasn’t been easy. Deep tech and science startups are a long road, especially when you’re solving big, real world problems in health. But this award validates the journey and the people who believed in us.”

He acknowledged the many who made that journey possible:

• The University of Auckland, Medtech IQ, and Auckland Bioengineering Institute, where it all began

• Our incredible investors: Icehouse Ventures, Cure Kids, NZGCP, Bioshore Ventures, Auckland UniServices, and an inspiring community of angel investors.

• And crucially, Callaghan Innovation and the Health Research Council, whose early funding made it all possible

“Kitea is a product of New Zealand’s science innovation ecosystem. A shining example of what happens when world-class research meets courageous investment.”

Let’s Talk About What Made It Possible

Simon didn’t just accept the award-he raised an important concern:

“Our company is a result of funding from the Endeavour Fund and the Health Research Council-both of which are being cut in the latest Budget. I wouldn’t be standing here without them.”

Scientific and health innovation thrive on long-term vision and strategic investment. As funding landscapes shift, we must ensure that critical support for deep tech and medtech isn’t left behind

A Milestone, Not a Finish Line

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved. But we’re even more excited about what’s next. Thank you to everyone who has backed us, believed in us, and stood with us. The future of chronic care is being rewritten-and we’re just getting started.