Victorian university researchers keen to turn their work into a startup can apply for Innovation Victoria’s next fellowship intake, which offers up to $150,000 to build.
Applications for the July 2027 cohort close on April 2 next year, ahead of the shortlisted applicants being interviewed in May.
The $7.5 million program backs researchers commercialising their work, whether as an individual or team. Funding comes via a convertible note, and recipients pay themselves $60,000 and $90,000, with balance supporting company, including hiring and product development.
Current undergraduate, masters and PhD students at Victorian universities or research organisations can apply, alongside graduates who completed their studies within the past 24 months, but you need to finish your studies before the program kicks off, be able to work in Australia and serve as a company director. You’ll also need a letter confirming university or institute support or co-investment if you make the shortlist.
Research must have commercial potential in advanced manufacturing, agri-food, digital technologies, health and life sciences, or the clean economy.
Fellows also receive entrepreneurial development support and spend their first month embedded in a university investment, commercialisation or entrepreneurship team.
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The three 2026 fellows are Monash spinout APRM Technologies under founder Arie Levin, who is developing sensors for plastics recycling; Monash researcher Vanshita Johar, whose LocalPharm software predicts medicine shortages; and Swinburne PhD researcher Joshua Ince, whose startup Poly Motion develops artificial muscles for robotics, prosthetics and exoskeletons.
“Across Australia, 130,000 tonnes of plastic winds up in landfill each year,” Levin said.
“With the backing of Innovation Victoria, we’re developing smarter tools that, at scale, can drastically reduce that number, strengthening our circular economy while reducing waste.”
Innovation Victoria CEO Rod Bristow said investing in smart researchers with great ideas helps grow the state’s innovation ecosystem.
“We’re proud to back some of Victoria’s most promising founders at the critical first step of their entrepreneurial journeys, connecting them with the education, global networks and advice they need to translate their groundbreaking innovations into commercial successes,” he said.
Fill in the online expression of interest if you’re keen.