Investing in the next generation of research entrepreneurs

A new university fellowship program will accelerate home-grown research entrepreneurship, boosting the state’s startup ecosystem.

Breakthrough Victoria has invested $7.5 million to launch the University Innovation Platform Fellowship Program, which will establish up to 50 new startup companies over multiple years by fostering early-stage researchers and PhD candidates to commercialise their research.

The program is available to current undergraduates, postgraduates and recent graduates from all Victorian universities and research institutes. It will contribute up to $150,000 per startup towards salaries and funding for research commercialisation, plus tailored mentoring and skills development.

Research from Osage University Partners found that university students – particularly those at the end of their PhD – achieved higher returns on commercialised research than professors, company executives and entrepreneurs.

The program will attract local, interstate and international entrepreneurial talent to Victorian universities.

For more information on how to apply, visit: breakthroughvictoria.com/breakthrough-victoria-fellowship/