Your dose of research translation, deep-tech and innovation insights
Hi $firstname$,
We've got a few team changes to share this month. Our wonderful Ecosystem Manager, Josh Pitt, is heading off to an exciting new role as Lecturer (Practice) and Deputy Director, Creative Destruction Lab at Monash University (go Josh!). We're incredibly grateful for everything he's contributed to the ON team and will be cheering him on. The good news is he's still close by and remains a part of the ecosystem. Stepping into the Ecosystem Manager role in the interim is the brilliant Annie Le Cavalier - if you'd like to connect, reach out via LinkedIn.
On a personal note, I'll be taking some time off to take on a new challenge as I become a mother of two aged 2 and under! I want to thank all of you for being part of this incredible community and look forward to re-connecting when I'm back on board in 2026.
While I'm on leave, our amazing ON Program Director, Tennille Eyre, will be bringing you the next newsletter update, and the ON team will continue to keep things moving and supporting you and your big ideas.
What's coming up:
ON Accelerate 9 showcase is just around the corner! Get ready to be wowed by Australia's next wave of research-powered innovation. More details and a link to register below.
Longitudinal Survey will be hitting your inboxes in May. This helps us to gauge our impact and improve what we do, so your input really matters.
ON Prime 17 cohort are launching this week with their immersion sessions kicking off across 6 hubs nationally – keep an eye out for a mid-year showcase event near you.
And as always, please keep the updates, wins and asks coming! We love hearing from you - and if there's a connection or support you need from the ON community, we're just a message away.
ONwards,
Poppy and the ON Team
Research impact isn't just about papers or startups. It can also take shape through licensing, consulting, policy and other channels. Programs like ON support researchers in exploring these varied pathways - recognising that ideas can create impact in many forms, not just through venture creation. We wrote an article about it last year, check it out here.
For those interested in how their research might contribute beyond the lab, ON Prime is the first step to explore and test possibilities. The next round is coming later this year, sign up to be the first to hear about it.
Now halfway through the program, these 11 incredible teams are already turning bold ideas into real-world impact. Their journey kicked off late last year with a high-intensity Bootcamp, where they tested their ideas, market potential and resilience.
After connecting with mentors, investors and coaches, they earned their place in ON Accelerate - a three-month sprint designed to fast-track research breakthroughs towards commercialisation.
From drug development and diagnostics to healthcare delivery and advanced manufacturing, this year's cohort is tackling some of today's biggest challenges. And they're just getting started.
Want to hear from them in person?
Register now to us in Melbourne on Thursday 5 June for the ON Accelerate 9 Showcase, where these research-powered ventures will pitch to investors, industry leaders and the broader innovation ecosystem.
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem, hosted by Adam Spencer, chats with the founders, investor and changemakers who were there from day one. From the early tech days to today's fintech wave, it's packed with insights and stories that bring the journey to life. Whether you're building your own thing or just love a good origin story, it's well worth a listen. Check it out here.