The Startup Network

🎟️ TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR EVENT -- CLICK HERE FOR THE TICKETS 🎟️

📢 Calling All Founders, Entrepreneurs and Startup Service Providers!

Join us on Thursday, 6 November 2025, at 6:00 PM AEDT, presented by The Startup Network partnering with the CSIRO ON Innovation Program✨

From Lab to Launch: Bridging Research and Startup Success in Australia
Date: Thursday, 6 November 2025
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM AEDT
Venue: The Commons QV

From breakthrough to business, the path of research translation is complex but full of opportunity. Discover how researchers can become founders and strategies to overcome ‘the valley of death’ of research translation. In this engaging panel discussion, you’ll learn how collaboration, funding and inclusive innovation are transforming discoveries into scalable ventures and shaping a more impactful startup ecosystem.

Join us for an exclusive event where we’ll explore:
· The journey from scientific discovery to startup success — and the critical role collaboration plays in turning research into real-world impact
· Translating research into ventures: How researchers can become founders and build scalable businesses
· Overcoming the ‘valley of death’: Funding, mentorship, and support systems that bridge the gap between lab and market
· Collaboration models: Successful partnerships between startups, research institutions, and industry
· Inclusive innovation: Building diverse and equitable pathways into the startup ecosystem

Meet the Speakers:

• Ella Casale, Chief Operating Officer, Elemental Therapeutics
• Jodie Granger, Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare Innovated
• Megan Nagarajah, Innovation Manager, Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)
• Olga Hogan, Senior Director, Pre-Seed and University Innovation Platform, Breakthrough Victoria
• Sherman Mak, Multidisciplinary Growth Strategist, Advisor, Mentor & Board Member
• Nick Rakis, CEO & Founder, Accelio (moderator)

What to Expect:
🎤 Informative Speaker Session: Hear from a panel of leaders and innovators with a breadth of experiences across investment and funding, universities and research organisations, industry, and the public sector.
💬 Interactive Q&A Session: Dive deeper into key trends, industry insights, and real-world examples of successful startups that have stemmed from Australian research.

About the host:
CSIRO’s ON Program is Australia’s national innovation program, dedicated to unlocking the potential of research to solve our most pressing challenges. Through immersive programs, expert mentoring, and a collaborative community, ON equips researchers with the skills, confidence and networks to turn breakthrough ideas into tangible solutions. Whether exploring new pathways or launching ventures, ON supports researchers at every stage of their journey, fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem that drives national resilience, competitiveness and prosperity.

Who should attend?
· Whether you're a researcher curious about entrepreneurship, a founder navigating the complexities of deep tech, or an ecosystem supporter looking to foster innovation, this panel will offer insights, inspiration, and actionable strategies

Why Attend?
Attending this event will help you:
· Learn how to navigate the pathway to impact from lab to launch, and what options and opportunities are available to successfully bridge the gap between research and commercialisation.
· Learn how scientific discoveries are being translated into real-world impact through collaboration.
· Hear how researchers are becoming founders and building scalable, investable ventures.
· Gain strategies to overcome the ‘valley of death’ with the right mix of funding, mentorship and support.
· Explore collaboration models that drive success across startups, research institutions and industry.
· Discover how inclusive innovation is creating diverse and equitable pathways into the startup ecosystem.