NanoPitch STEM - Driving Innovation for Sustainability

NanoPitch STEM - Driving Innovation for Sustainability | Wednesday 20 March | 5pm - 7:30pm

Get inspired by the next big ideas in STEM innovation

The University of Sydney Nano Institute's researchers are striving to make nanotechnology part of the solution to existential challenges, including climate change and ubiquitous pollution, while also addressing everyday problems. At this event, Sydney Nano researchers will pitch their ideas to a panel of expert judges to find possible partners to increase the impact of their work. The event will focus on STEM solutions to the key sustainability challenges, followed by a networking session with drinks and canapes.

Join this event on Wednesday 20 March from 5pm to listen to the latest advances in nanotechnology that are driving innovation for sustainability at the University of Sydney.

By attending this event, you will:

• Be the first to hear about the latest innovations coming out of the University of Sydney
• Have the opportunity to network with the presenters, researchers, and industry partners
• Learn the art of pitching
• Find your next research and commercialisation partners

Event details

• When: Wednesday 20 March, 2024
• Time: 5pm - 7:30pm (The event will commence with pitches followed by networking opportunities)
• Where: Ground Level, F23 Michael Spence Building Auditorium , The University of Sydney, Camperdown
• This event will be held in person only.
• Light refreshments and drinks will be served.
• Please RSVP by Wednesday 13 March for catering purposes.

Note: Program subject to change without notice

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Judges

• Eeshan Kulkarni | IP Group

Eeshan is a Principal in IP Group's Physical Sciences Division, dedicated to uncovering groundbreaking inventions with global potential. He firmly believes in scientists' obligation to make their research valuable to society. Driven by his passion for deep tech commercialisation, he pursued a PhD in Physics in Singapore, where he successfully launched three ventures from university labs. One of them has become a multinational operating worldwide. Inspired by his achievements as a deep tech entrepreneur, Eeshan transitioned to Venture Capital, seeking to magnify his impact across multiple start-ups.

• Caroline Laird | Google

Caroline completed MBA and has 18+ years of experience in deeply embedded technology infrastructure, systems design, and media advertising. In her role as Director at Google, Caroline manages a Professional Services organisation and a global team of Engagement Managers that build 12mth Technical Plans with the largest advertisers of Google. When she is not working you will find her on the football (soccer for Australians) field where she was previously a Women's Premier League player and now coaches to the next generation of footballers.

• Steven Maguire | Business School, USYD

Prof Steve Maguire is Deputy Dean Research at the University of Sydney Business School, where he is leading implementation of the research enterprise component of the Business School’s strategy. He is a Professor of Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Business School’s first Fellow of Multidisciplinary Innovation. His research focuses on technological innovation and institutional entrepreneurship driven by the emergence of novel risks to human health and the environment, theorising the role of non-market actors (e.g. NGOs, scientists, government agencies) in shaping the adoption or abandonment of particular technologies.

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Meet our mentors

• Dr Leong Mar | Commercialisation Office, USYD

Dr Leong Mar is the Head of the Commercialisation Team at the University of Sydney. Prior to joining the University, he worked as Commercial Initiatives Director at CSIRO. Leong holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from UNSW. He has been a Uniseed Investment Committee Member since 2018 and boasts 12 years at DuPont, along with founding and managing several startups.

• Rupal Ismin | Sydney Knowledge Hub

Rupal Ismin is the Director of the Sydney Knowledge Hub, a research commercialisation centre that aims to scale the impact of research at the University of Sydney by serving as a bridge between researchers and industry partners. Rupal has helped launch and scale mission-oriented businesses, including City Innovative, a Bay Area startup working with city governments, Hub Australia, a network of coworking spaces, and Andable, an ecommerce marketplace with a social mission, as founder.

• Dr Jeri Childers | GENESIS

Dr Jeri Childers coordinates the GENESIS startup program at the University of Sydney Business School. She led the ON Research Accelerator Services at CSIRO and was a Founding Director of UTS Techcelerator. Jeri is a founder of Accelerating You! She possesses extensive experience in coaching tech startup leaders and teams, with a particular dedication to advancing female founders and university researchers along their commercialisation journeys.

• David Smith | INCUBATE

David Smith is the Head of Startup Programs at INCUBATE, the award-winning startup program at the University of Sydney. He was the co-founder and CEO of Knokal, an inaugural Westpac "Business of Tomorrow". David came to startups with eight years of experience in financial services. His profile has grown during speaking events including the Spark festival, and from his participation in many online and mainstream press appearances.

• Kai Man Yuen | INCUBATE

Kai Man Yuen is the Program Manager at INCUBATE, the award-winning startup program at the University of Sydney. Graduated with a Master of Science and Master of Business Management, he co-founded a platform SGNZ (Science Grad New Zealand) to help science graduates make the most informed decision about their career. He advocates the need to have the backbone of frameworks and models at the start of your entrepreneurial journey.

Lisa Linssen | Commercialisation Office
Lisa Linssen is the Commercialisation Ventures Advisor in the Commercialisation Team at the University of Sydney. Prior to this, Lisa was the general manager and co-founder of RingIR, a defence and agriculture startup for 7 years and raised AU$11M in non-dilutive funding. She was also IP Commercialisation Manager at UNSW and worked in global corporations, Huntsman Chemical, Toyota and Akzo Nobel.