Kickstarting Innovation: The Launch of the Liverpool Innovation Precinct Entrepreneurship Program
UNSW Founders has launched an exciting new initiative, the Liverpool Innovation Precinct Entrepreneurship Program (LIP). This program is dedicated to translating research insights into tangible clinical innovations and fostering community learning and economic growth in South-West Sydney.
Rolling out across 2024, the Liverpool Innovation Program is open to all clinicians, researchers, and inspiring innovators within the Liverpool community. The program offers access to free workshops, competitions, and specialised support programs to build technical skills, explore business foundations, and grow confidence to make a positive change in the world.
The Liverpool Innovation Program represents a $700,000 significant commitment by the UNSW to enhance the Southwestern Sydney area and invest in the community's innovative landscape. Including the hiring of a dedicated Liverpool precinct program manager, Shuoyan Zhu, responsible for ensuring that the local voice and community are represented, heard and collaborated with for better outcomes and more support provided to the next wave of innovators in the region.
UNSW Founders launched the LIP programs with a series of workshops outlining how clinicians can explore taking their research insights from the lab to patients for better care.
Workshop One: Translate Your Insights Into Clinical Innovations
The first session aimed to demystify the transition from research to clinical application. Participants explored key aspects of MedTech, assessed the viability of their ideas, and explored frameworks for evaluating opportunities. The workshop covered navigating health innovation pathways and what support and guidance they can access.
Workshop Two: Amplify Your Impact - The Art of Communication
The second workshop focused on enhancing communication skills essential for securing grants, professional collaborations, and progressing commercial applications. This interactive session provided practical tools and direct feedback to help attendees refine their communication strategies.
The workshop emphasised the importance of nonverbal communication, and attendees crafted a Gaddie pitch for clear and impactful introductions. Ensuring everyone was able to leave with a strong introduction when given an opportunity to pitch!
🪄 A Gaddie pitch is a short and impactful 30-second pitch for your business.
Workshop Three: Health Innovation - Expert Panel
The third workshop featured an expert panel of health and medical researchers who successfully transitioned their research to clinical applications. This session provided attendees with insights and advice on navigating their own journey.
Panellist included:
Dr. Joseph W. Po, PhD: 2x startup founder, PhD in Medical Science, and UNSW Founders Health 10x program manager.
Dr. Dorsa Morshedi Rad, PhD: Founder of CellSync, PhD in Biomedical Sciences.
Dr. Sam van Bohemen, PhD: Co-founder of Nuroflux, PhD in Biomedical Engineering.
Dr. Dr Louise Metcalf: Founder of Gheorg and Futureproofology, Behavioural Scientist, Practitioner, and Inventor.
The panellists shared their experiences in navigating licensing, clinical trials, and effective communication with stakeholders.
The Liverpool Innovation Program is off to a strong start, thanks to the enthusiastic participation and engagement of the local community. If you are from South-West Sydney and are interested in exploring the support available through the LIP Entrepreneurship Program or have an innovative idea that could enhance current medical practices, sign up for the UNSW Founders Newsletter and stay tuned for upcoming events and opportunities!
About UNSW Founders
As Australia’s premier university-based entrepreneurial program, UNSW Founders has been nurturing health tech researchers and entrepreneurs since 2018. In partnership with The George Institute for Global Health, it launched the Health 10x program in 2019, which has supported over 150 teams and facilitated investments for 27 HealthTech startups. These startups have further raised capital, created jobs, and launched solutions to the market.
