Oceania
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Peter Devine: We never imagined Uniseed would be around this long
Peter Devine, who recently stepped down as CEO of Uniseed after two decades, reflects on his career and lasting impact on the Australian ecosystem.
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UNSW Sydney launches two spinout investment funds
The university is committing A$35 million to two funds, with High Street Ventures targeting a A$100 million close.
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Melissa Mail joins Macquarie as director of research ventures and investment
Melissa Mail was previously the head of commercialisation at the Children’s Medical Institute, and has also worked for Uniseed.
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Melbourne’s director of commercialisation Ruth Park-Jones joins Monash
Ruth Park-Jones has been director of commercialisation at the University of Melbourne since 2023, having joined the institution in 2007.
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Adelaide University opens its doors with Michelle Perugini heading tech transfer
Michelle Perugini has joined the newly established Adelaide University, the result of a merger between two institutions, to lead commercialisation.
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NZ Innovation Booster adds the University of Auckland to LPs
NZ Innovation Booster started at Wellington UniVentures, before partnering with Otago Innovation, and now Auckland UniServices.
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Tanarra Capital explores fund of funds for spinouts
Tanarra Capital currently manages the University of Melbourne’s Tin Alley Ventures and is keen to expand its focus on university startups.
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University of Waikato recruits Callaghan Innovation’s Florian Spoerl
Florian Spoerl, currently the chief product officer Callaghan Innovation, will become Waikato’s director of commercial and business partnerships.
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New Zealand introduces professor’s privilege
Significant changes in national IP policy, which also include pre-defined equity stakes, are expected to lead to more spinouts.
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UNSW Canberra backs the ACTivate Capital Fund
The ACTivate Capital Fund was set up by the government of the Australian Capital Territory to invest in startups and spinouts in Canberra.
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Uniseed brings in Alastair Hick as its new CEO
Alastair Hick, currently the chief commercialisation officer of Monash University, will take over from Peter Devine.
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Breakthrough Victoria backs the SYNthesis BioVentures Fund I
Created by Monash University’s Prof Andrew Wilks, the SYNthesis BioVentures Fund I works with Australian research institutes to scale their spinouts.
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Cicada Innovations picks Liza Noonan as CEO
Liza Noonan is currently the executive director of Investment NSW, and she will succeed Sally-Ann Williams.
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Alan Rowan joins Wollongong to lead innovation
Alan Rowan will join the University of Wollongong in January, moving on from the University of Queensland after a decade.
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Friday Five: Agate Sensors, Detechgene, Data Revival, SenseAI Vision, xCystence Bio
The Friday Five series is back after the summer break, and we’re kicking things off with an array of spinouts that just so happen to all be operating within the life sciences.
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Nick McNaughton hands over the reins to Ken Mahon at Campus Plus
The organisation, co-founded by Nick McNaughton six years ago, will now be led by interim CEO Ken Mahon.
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Michael Poisel takes on leadership role at the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre
Michael Poisel, who stepped down as executive director of PCI Ventures after more than 16 years in April, will now lead the MEC.
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University of Melbourne promotes Hun Gan to executive director for commercialisation
Hun Guan has been with the University of Melbourne since 2018 and has led both Genesis Ventures and the Genesis Pre-Seed Fund.
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Monash University launches A$15 million Pre-Seed Fund
Monash University has established Monash Ventures, which will manage the new A$15 million Pre-Seed Fund backed by Breakthrough Victoria.
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Sally-Ann Williams bids farewell to Cicada Innovations
Sally-Ann Williams stepped down as chief executive officer of Cicada Innovations today after six years at the helm of the Australian incubator.
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University of Adelaide promotes Michael Goodsite
Michael Goodsite, managing director of the university’s commercialisation arm Innovation & Commercial Partners, has been promoted to pro vice chancellor for research services and infrastructure.
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Brandon Capital collects A$439 million for sixth fund
Australasian life sciences VC Brandon Capital has a partnership with more than 50 research institutions that provide access to deals.
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Greg Cook returns to Otago for innovation role
The University of Otago has appointed Greg Cook as deputy vice chancellor for research and innovation, bringing him back to the institution after a year.
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Friday Five: Apate, Cosma, Licovolt, pHydrogen, ScoutinScience
The Friday Five series provides a weekly insight into innovative early-stage spinouts that are making a significant impact in their fields.
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Quin Chang joins Care Economy CRC leadership
Quin Chang was the director for enterprise development at La Trobe University for the past three years and is the immediate past chair of Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia.
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Peter Devine will leave Uniseed by the end of 2025
Peter Devine, the chief executive of Australian university venture fund Uniseed is stepping down at the end of this year.
