Global Innovation Foundry
Global Pathways for Australian Startups
In 2023, the UNSW Office of Global Affairs (UOGA) and UNSW Founders joined forces and launched the UNSW Global Landing Pads.
This program provided funding, expert mentorship and key international connections for UNSW startups looking to break into global markets.
2025 - 2035: Progress for All
In 2025 UNSW launched it’s new strategy: Progress for All.
Based on the impressive results from the Global Landing Pad program, the Global Innovation Foundry (GIF) was established and launched on 10 February 2026.
The goal of GIF is to help startups navigate international expansion, secure funding opportunities and accelerate successful market entries.
It is an evolving, purpose-built ecosystem that leverages UNSW’s global networks, UNSW’s Australian Precincts (Randwick, Canberra, Liverpool and Wagga Wagga) and established network of infrastructure to supercharge commercialisation pathways for UNSW and selective non-UNSW affiliated startups.
If you’re a startup or scaleup ready to go global, we’d like to hear from you.
UNSW Global Landing Pads
as of December 2025:
15 Countries Visited
by UNSW startups
66+ Individual Startups
went overseas for R&D facilities, customer pilots, advanced manufacturing etc
80+ Grants Allocated
Over $400,000 awarded
HOW DOES IT WORK?
UNSW Global Landing Pads will be part of the Global Innovation Foundry (GIF) and acts as a key enabler for market expansion.
Whether you’re a UNSW-affiliated startup or not, the company must be incorporated in Australia.
Having said that, UNSW often attracts international startups to engage with our research, talent, startups and infrastructure.
GIF provides an active framework to engage further with international interest and unlock new collaboration potential by embedding UNSW into the international innovation landscape, enabling knowledge exchange, long-term collaboration and strategic partnerships.
This can be facilitated, with agreed conditions, through:
a) Student/Researcher Mobility Program for internship with startups
b) Startup Innovation Exchange Program
If you’ve yet to become a UNSW-affiliated startup, or simply want to learn more, contact: globalventures@unsw.edu.au
UNSW Global Landing Pads application opens: March 2026*
This is where it all started: UNSW Global Landing Pads 2023
UNSW Global Landing Pads Application Process
UNSW Global Launchpads Summit 10 Feb 26
100 startups | 10 countries | 1 day
A flagship event that launched the UNSW Global Innovation Foundry (GIF) with the success of UNSW Global Landing Pads.
The summit was attended by more than 240 people, from startup founders, researchers, investors, industry and government partners to overseas founders, researchers and university partners.
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