The Story Behind the MICIC Portrait: Dr. Hiranya Jayakody
1 October 2024
In the heart of the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre (MCIC) at UNSW Kensington, a new portrait hangs. Painted by Pasha Rayan Co-founder and CTO of Forage, the artwork features Dr. Hiranya Jayakody, co-founder and CTO of HEO.
The portrait isn’t just an artistic piece; it celebrates the intersection of friendship, innovation, and the shared entrepreneurial journey.
Pasha and Hiranya first crossed paths in 2018 when they were both selected for the very first cohort of the UNSW Founders 10x Accelerator. This program is specifically designed to equip high-potential startups with the resources, mentorship, and funding necessary to scale and succeed globally.
Through UNSW Founders, both Forage and HEO gained the support and skills that fuelled their growth. 10x has since become a launchpad for many startups, helping founders turn their ideas into startups.
The Success Story
In 2018, Pasha had just launched Forage, a platform designed to connect students with job-readiness experiences through virtual internships. Hiranya, along with his co-founder Will Crowe, was just starting HEO Robotics, a company changing the way we observe and monitor objects in space.
As Brent Clark, CEO and Founder of Wattblock, and a catalyst-in-residence at the MCIC during those early days, recalls, “I remember doing pitch coaching for Will from HEO Robotics. The first business model they were exploring was 'asteroid mining.' They were going to use their orbital camera to start taking photos of asteroids and classifying which would be the best for mining different minerals. However, the HEO team found an easier, near-term business model which was using the orbital camera to take photos of other satellites, and the rest is history.”
After completing the 10x, both startups joined Y Combinator, where they received seed funding, mentorship, and support to refine and scale their businesses. This program helped them gain the traction needed to grow their companies.
By 2024 both startups lead in their fields. On the one hand HEO is pioneering non-Earth imaging (NEI) by using space-based sensors to capture detailed imagery of space objects. With over 2,000 successful missions and 46 in-orbit sensors, HEO Robotics provides commercial, government, and defense organisations with valuable insights for space operations, including anomaly detection and spacecraft monitoring. Their autonomous software and NEI cameras, such as Holmes and Adler, allow for scalable imaging solutions, helping to make space more transparent and accessible for mission-critical decisions.
On the other hand, Forage has changed the job readiness landscape by offering free virtual work experience programs designed by top global companies. With over 6 million students and 125+ employers on board. Forage had helped students become up to 2.6 times more employable. Providing practical, hands-on simulations that replicate real-world tasks in various industries. This unique approach bridges the gap between education and employment, allowing students to gain valuable skills and insights into potential careers, increasing their chances of landing jobs.
Pasha’s Vision: Honoring Tech Founders Through Art
In his LinkedIn post, Pasha expressed his admiration for Hiranya’s relentless work at HEO, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of tech founders who build not just companies, but entire ecosystems.
Hiranya and Pasha's journey, from launching together in the MCIC to global impact, showcases the power of collaboration, passion, and vision. In the words of Pasha himself:
"I hope this painting inspires others to recognise the incredible work being done by our tech founders and scientists, and to celebrate their contributions to our world."
A Tribute at the MCIC
Now housed within the MCIC, this portrait is accompanied by a plaque that honors both, the subject and the artist. The plaque reads:
Dr. Hiranya Jayakody, Australian Space Entrepreneur and My Founder Friend.
Great startup founders build. They build visionary solutions, united teams, and impact across the community.
After Pasha Rayan’s successful exit of Forage (2024), he has continued to build his skills, submitting his first portrait into Australia’s most prestigious art competition, The Archibald Prize.
The subject of Pasha’s portrait is his friend, Hiranya Jayakody, Co-Founder and CTO of HEO.
HEO and Forage were two of the 10 startups to be selected in the first-ever UNSW Founders 10x Accelerator program in 2018.
For those intrigued by the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and art, the MCIC welcomes you to come and view this work in person. While there, you can also explore the Makerspace, where you can get hands-on experience in creating and innovating.