UNSW Strategy: Progress For All - Shaping the Next century of Impact

UNSW is embarking on a bold new strategy that will guide the University for the next decade and beyond. Progress for All sets a vision for transformative innovation, research excellence, and real-world impact as we look ahead to UNSW’s 100-year anniversary.

Innovation and entrepreneurship have long been at the heart of UNSW’s mission, driving economic growth, technological advancement, and social change. Recognising that excellence extends beyond traditional teaching and research, UNSW is committed to fostering Australia’s next generation of entrepreneurs—empowering students, researchers, and alumni to turn ideas into high-impact ventures.

At UNSW Founders, we bring this vision to life as Australia’s leading university-based startup program. Our accelerators, mentoring, and commercialisation pathways support founders from concept to global scale, ensuring UNSW remains a powerhouse of innovation. Central to this mission is the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre (MCIC)—a world-class innovation hub that empowers staff, students, and alumni to build, test, and launch groundbreaking solutions. This state-of-the-art facility was made possible through a transformational $10 million philanthropic donation from Michael Crouch AO, a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship, innovation, and Australian manufacturing.

Since 2015, UNSW Founders has:
✔ Supported over 12,000 individuals annually in their entrepreneurial journeys
✔ Backed 150+ high-growth startups, which have raised over $150 million
✔ Helped founders secure international expansion opportunities, reinforcing UNSW’s role as a global leader in innovation

UNSW Founders Startups Making Global Impact

HEO: Pioneering Space Surveillance

In 2016, PhD students Dr. Will Crowe and Dr. Hiranya Jayakody set out to explore asteroid mining. Their participation in UNSW Founders’ 10x Accelerator led to the creation of HEO, the world’s first commercial satellite inspection company. By 2024, HEO had expanded globally, with offices in Australia, the UK, and the USA, providing real-time space surveillance for government agencies worldwide.

🛰️ UNSW innovation in action: HEO’s growth from university lab to international space tech leader

Forage: Revolutionising Career Access

Determined to bridge the gap between students and industry, Pasha Rayan co-founded Forage (formerly InsideSherpa) to provide free virtual internships with leading global companies. After completing the 10x Accelerator, Forage expanded rapidly, securing $55 million in investment and reaching over six million students worldwide. Today, Forage is a key player in workforce transformation, employing 70 staff across Australia and the US.

💡 UNSW-backed innovation: Unlocking career opportunities for millions of students globally

Contactile: Giving Robots the Sense of Touch

With the goal of enhancing robotic dexterity, Dr. Heba Khamis and her team from the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering developed human-like tactile sensors for robots. After spinning out from UNSW and completing the 10x Accelerator, Contactile became one of the few companies globally capable of delivering high-accuracy tactile sensors. By 2024, Contactile was recognised as one of Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers.

🤖 From UNSW research to global impact: Redefining robotics and AI-driven automation

CardioBionic: Making Heart Pumps Affordable

Inspired by a challenge from an Indian cardiac surgeon, UNSW alumnus Dr. Peter Barlis developed an affordable heart pump for patients in developing countries. After completing the Health 10x Accelerator, CardioBionic raised $4 million and successfully completed preclinical studies in India. With ambitions to become Australia’s next ResMed, CardioBionic is making life-saving cardiac devices accessible worldwide.

❤️ Healthcare innovation with purpose: UNSW startups changing lives globally

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