mDetect is a spin-out company from Swinburne University of Technology, that uses particles from space to help mining companies scan dam walls that store highly toxic mining waste by-products. Their ground-breaking early warning system aims to prevent the potential catastrophic failures of these dams which can cause immense loss of lives and livelihoods. Based on a blue-sky research initiative to detect these particles from space, known as muons, this research led to the creation of a low-cost, rugged detector based on patented microelectronics and commercial-grade components. The team leading mDetect has translated this fundamental research into a commercial product portfolio that has the ability to transform the intelligence and insights industries have behind large structures such as dams, tunnels or even bodies of water. Leveraging the experience of the team, with advanced manufacturing and cloud-based AI infrastructure, mDetect has been able to rapidly scale up the detector capabilities to achieve a world-first commercial deployment of their telescopic muon detector at a tailings storage facility of the largest mining company in the world. From lab bench to mine site, this company exemplifies the bold strides this team have made towards translating research to highly impactful and cutting-edge products that have the ability to solve major global challenges such as preventing the collapse of tailings dams. The team have been able to secure university, industry, and government funding, progressing the technology from fundamental research through to an advanced platform ready for commercial applications.