NetLink

The birth of New Zealand internet

Netlink was the largest business ever developed and sold by a New Zealand university.

Staff in Victoria University's computer science department pioneered the introduction of the Internet into New Zealand in 1989 by connecting three universities: Waikato, Massey and Victoria. Netlink then went on to build a national Internet network and became the Internet Service Provider for many leading corporations and government organisations.

In 1993, Netlink sent out bills to seven large customers totaling $100,000. By the next year, there were 25 leased-line customers and $250,000 in revenue. Netlink was formed as a separate company in 1997 and sold to Telstra New Zealand in 1999.

By this stage Netlink was making $10 million a year, had 35 staff and 1000 corporate and government customers.

More than ever before, there are incentives for all involved to commercialise university-generated intellectual property.