Fifteen University of Melbourne researchers are working towards making their research ventures investor ready as part of the 2023 Translating Research at Melbourne (TRAM) Air program.
The program is one of the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre’s (MEC) flagship programs that helps research teams attract investor funding and supports them in hitting investment milestones. This includes support in raising capital from various sources, including the newly launched University of Melbourne Genesis Investment Fund that provides early-stage funding to startups.
The 6-month program will be delivered in person at the TRAM office in Melbourne Connect. The program will be led again in 2023 by TRAM’s brilliant Lead Mentor and Entrepreneur Andrew J. Nash, an alum of the University whose decades of experience in the US and Silicon Valley make him a rich source of knowledge and guidance for the teams.
The dynamic schedule of content focuses on creating investor-ready ventures, delving into IP agreements, branding, governance, team building and pitching. Teams have a chance to meet and learn from experienced founders, industry experts, and those who make investment decisions at Australia’s leading funds, angel networks and family offices.
Andrew Rowse, Director of Programs at MEC, said the program is designed to be a comprehensive experience for the teams that provides holistic support.
“Research entrepreneurs face unique, complex challenges on their journey. The Air Program connects the teams with the right knowledge and support to develop their go-to-market strategies, combined with investor 1:1 meetings to assist them to reach commercial success.”
“Furthermore, teams have dedicated mentorship from those with lived experience throughout the program as part of the Air Support mentor program, access to domain experts, desk space and a budget for key support services.”
“This year, we welcome six impressive teams into TRAM Air who will be working hard over the next six months, preparing their companies for speedy growth and investment opportunities. These teams are addressing big issues from wearable lung monitoring devices to detect breathing decline, diverting waste tyres from landfills, and reducing CO2 emissions.”
In 2023, TRAM welcomes teams across the FEIT, MDHS, MSE and ABP faculties.
Please allow us to introduce the TRAM Air cohort for 2023:
Venture | Founders | Faculty | Description |
Lorace Zhang | FEIT | Vysum is developing an eye drop delivery device to enable easier eye drop administration for all, starting with glaucoma patients. Objective administration data will be recorded and provided to clinicians upon patient consent to contribute to more informed treatment decision-making. | |
Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis Stephen Dolan Laura Van Rooyen | MDHS | Clinical trials are key to the development of new medical treatments and diagnostic tests to optimise health, but recruitment is challenging and costly. Torch Recruit aims to address this problem by streamlining identification of people in the community and referring them to trial sites. | |
Nanostratus | David Nisbet Samuel Cheeseman | MSE | Nanostratus has developed sprayable, ultradurable coatings through a patented process. The coatings are as cheap as paint, more durable than existing sprayable coatings, self-cleaning, water-repellent, antimicrobial, and transparent. |
Rebecca McCormick Phoebe Lewis William Symington | FEIT | Anura Medical is developing a wearable lung monitoring device to detect breathing decline and enable early treatment. Founded by a team of engineers, doctors and business consultants, Anura aims to create a new gold standard for respiratory monitoring that will reduce complications and mortality. | |
PorousLane | Mahdi Disfani Amir Mehdizadeh | FEIT | The company diverts waste tyres from landfills by reusing them in an engineered permeable pavement system. The mission of the company is to minimise the number of waste tyres that go to landfills, reduce the risk of flash floods in urban areas and help with the growth of healthier trees. |
Urban Analytica | Mark Stevenson Frank Preppard | ABP | Vehicle transport accounts for 18% of CO2 emissions and the road toll is no longer reducing as it should. The tools and analytics used by car insurance actuaries, state road authorities and e-scooter providers are used to help everyday drivers be safer and reduce CO2. |
The finale of the program culminates at the TRAM Air Pitch Showcase Competition in October, where an impressive cash prize is awarded to the winning team. This is attended by the Genesis Fund investment committee and leading industry investors, giving the teams an important opportunity to showcase their innovations.
TRAM is Australia’s premier University-based research impact accelerator program. Since launching in 2016, TRAM has seen over 1,000 participants complete its programs and workshops, empowering researchers to change the way they approach research problems to achieve real-world impact.
TRAM is open to researchers from the University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct. Applications for 2024 programs, including the popular TRAMx bootcamps, will open soon. To learn more, visit: tram.org.au.
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