Launch of Enterprising Melbourne Review 2023

Remarks by Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell on Thursday 10 October 2024.

The inaugural Enterprising Melbourne Review ’23 is an important resource that will help create greater awareness of the inspiring research and the significant impact of this work led by the University of Melbourne.

It has been generally well known for a long time that the standard of research at Melbourne is extremely high – the best in the country, in fact.

But with only a few exceptions, the translational impact of that great research is lesser-known. The Enterprising Melbourne Review ’23 will promote and celebrate researchers and founders who are at the heart of driving the impact of research across a number of disciplines at the University.

For those of us who work at the University, it can serve as a ‘storytelling tool’ – one that can help all of us in sharing the argument that in fact, our university is not only highly regarded in pure research, but acts as a positive force in the world for innovation, commercialisation of research and entrepreneurship in many fields.

The select audience that we have present for today’s launch is made up of the researchers and founders who are the main actors in some great stories of innovation in research translation, as well as those people in the faculties, research institutes and from the broader University’s innovation landscape who are supporting this work.

As you know, in recent years we have established two important funds to support research impact, the University of Melbourne Genesis Pre-Seed Fund, in partnership with Breakthrough Victoria, and the Tin Alley Ventures Fund, which is a joint venture with Tanarra Capital.

It is my pleasure to formally announce today that $11.7 million from these two funds will be invested in seven different startups, to further boost research translation at the University of Melbourne.

Individually, these highly innovative startups are tackling a range of different problems and opportunities in areas including health and medical research, business insights and environmental construction.  The breadth of the work emerging from these seven start ups is a testament to the exceptional talent within our university community.

By supporting startups like the ones here with us today, we are fostering innovation, transforming industries, driving economic growth and creating jobs. This is an important part of the work of universities - to ensure society has access to and reaps the benefits of academic breakthroughs.