The Hillary Institute was launched by Sir Edmund Hillary from Antarctica on 22 January 2007.

Its work is globally focused with its annual Laureate award recognising exceptional mid-career leaders, providing them with ongoing celebration of their work and connection with the Laureate community.

The Institute has celebrated nine Hillary Laureates in the past decade, coming from the US, UK, China, South America, Sweden, Kiribati and India.

In 2016 the Institute and KiwiConnect developed the Edmund Hillary Fellowship: A programme and global community that provides impact-driven entrepreneurs, investors and startup teams a platform to build and incubate global impact ventures from Aotearoa New Zealand. 80% of the Fellows are selected from countries around the world, while 20% are Kiwis.