Gautam is a lecturer in the Master of Business Innovation and Leadership programme, connecting design, strategy, and real-world application.
He is an innovation practitioner, industrial designer, educator, and startup co-founder with over 15 years of experience across medical devices, healthcare innovation, advanced materials, and design-led ventures. His work focuses on translating research, emerging technologies, and complex ideas into practical products, systems, and commercial opportunities.
Gautam is a co-founder of Hyphera, a New Zealand–based fungi materials innovation startup. He is also the co-founder of Morpho Innovations, a venture developing hyperthermia-based adjunct therapy for cancer treatment, building on technology developed at IIT Madras, India. Alongside this, he has led industrial design and product development projects across healthcare, consumer, marine, and social impact sectors.
His portfolio includes a wide range of medical and socially driven innovations, including smart canes for the blind, neonatal incubators, one of the world’s most affordable Braille laptops, solar electric catamarans, and bio-composite products. His smart cane design was showcased at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York.
Gautam also brings experience in fundraising, venture building, and mentoring startups and businesses on innovation strategy.
Gautam is a lecturer in the Master of Business Innovation and Leadership programme, connecting design, strategy, and real-world application.
He is an innovation practitioner, industrial designer, educator, and startup co-founder with over 15 years of experience across medical devices, healthcare innovation, advanced materials, and design-led ventures. His work focuses on translating research, emerging technologies, and complex ideas into practical products, systems, and commercial opportunities.
Gautam is a co-founder of Hyphera, a New Zealand–based fungi materials innovation startup. He is also the co-founder of Morpho Innovations, a venture developing hyperthermia-based adjunct therapy for cancer treatment, building on technology developed at IIT Madras, India. Alongside this, he has led industrial design and product development projects across healthcare, consumer, marine, and social impact sectors.
His portfolio includes a wide range of medical and socially driven innovations, including smart canes for the blind, neonatal incubators, one of the world’s most affordable Braille laptops, solar electric catamarans, and bio-composite products. His smart cane design was showcased at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York.
Gautam also brings experience in fundraising, venture building, and mentoring startups and businesses on innovation strategy.
Outside of work, Gautam is deeply interested in meditation, reflective living, and understanding how non-linear thinking can be channelled into creativity and resilience.
