The Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre (MEC), the University of Melbourne’s innovation hub, has hired Michael Poisel as executive director.
He has been tasked with steering the MEC through its next growth phase, collaborating with faculty and external partners to bolster entrepreneurial pathways from research to market impact.
His mandate includes expanding the scope of the MEC and broadening its programmes to serve the country’s innovation agenda.
His role will also align with the university’s recently launched research strategy, Advancing Research 2030: Excellence for Impact, which has identified a thriving innovation ecosystem as critical to research commercialisation success.
“[Poisel’s] global perspective and deep university venture building expertise will help ensure our programs remain best-in-class as we expand our national and international reach.”
Ken Jefferd, managing director, research and commercialisation
Poisel was most recently the executive director of PCI Ventures, an internal venture studio that he created to support early-stage spinouts from the University of Pennsylvania, from January 2009 to April 2025.
During his more than 16 years at the University of Pennsylvania, the institution launched over 280 spinouts.
“The university’s commitment to research excellence combined with Australia’s dynamic startup ecosystem creates extraordinary potential for innovation impact.
“There’s a big future ahead for MEC, and I look forward to working with the talented team here to unlock even greater opportunities for researchers, students and entrepreneurs to create ventures that matter.”
Michael Poisel
Poisel’s appointment is the second major personnel announcement from the University of Melbourne’s innovation ecosystem this week. On Wednesday, Hun Gan was promoted to executive director for commercialisation.