The University of New South Wales (UNSW) exemplifies entrepreneurial excellence in higher education, consistently translating groundbreaking research into real-world applications. As Australia’s pre-eminent entrepreneurial university, UNSW focuses on enterprise, partnership, and knowledge exchange, which are central to our 2025 Strategy. The flagship UNSW Founders program, launched in 2017, is Australia’s most comprehensive university entrepreneurship initiative, nurturing over 1,000 startups and training more than 20,000 individuals. UNSW Founders has facilitated substantial external investment in portfolio companies, exceeding $175 million, and creating over 500 jobs. Under the strategic direction of David Burt, UNSW integrates entrepreneurship across its curriculum and research through targeted courses, workshops, and programs. UNSW's leadership in innovation is underscored by its top ranking in the Survey of Commercialisation Outcomes from Public Research (SCOPR) Summary Report. Notable spinouts include Diraq, focused on quantum computing, and Infinity Avionics, the Australian Space Startup of the Year in 2023. These achievements highlight UNSW’s robust support system for entrepreneurs, including funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity and diversity, 47.8% of participants in the UNSW Founders programs were women entrepreneurs in 2023. This holistic approach ensures that entrepreneurial values are instilled across faculty and students, creating substantial positive impacts on various stakeholders and positioning UNSW as a leader in entrepreneurial education and innovation. UNSW’s commitment to fostering innovation and societal impact is further demonstrated by initiatives like the Defence 10x Accelerator and TRaCE programs, which support startups in fields ranging from clean energy to national security. These efforts reflect UNSW’s dedication to driving social uplift and sustainable economic prosperity through entrepreneurial excellence.

David Burt
Director of Entrepreneurship
Division of Research & Enterprise,  University New South Wales



Dina Titkova
Senior Manager of Entrepreneurship (Startups)
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Kristen Phillips
Senior Manager of Entrepreneurship (Ideas)
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Nina Juhl
Senior Manager of Entrepreneurship (Curiosity)
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Beste Onay
Portfolio Manager
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Caitlin Co
Program Coordinator
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Sasha Whittle
Program Manager 10x All Industries
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Joseph Po
Program Manager Health 10x
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Maddison McCoy
Program Manager Bio 10x
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Eléonore Cluzel
Program Manager Health 10x
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Eleni Assargiotis
Program Manager Climate 10x
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Julie Pham
Program Manager Climate 10x
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Shuoyan Shu
Program Manager Liverpool Innovation Precinct Health Entrepreneurship Program
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Zac Rafidi
Business Analyst
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Victoria-Rose Tucker
New Wave Program Manager
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Georgia Lyons
Peter Farrell Cup Program Manager
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Priscilla Tan
Prototypes Manager
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Hayden Moore
Bits & Atoms Program Manager
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Bryony Tottey
Bits & Atoms Program Manager
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Rita Wu
Startup Year Program Manager
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Matt Macdonald
Michael Crouch Innovation Centre Operations Manager
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Hamish McFarlane
Michael Crouch Innovation Centre Makerspace Coordinator
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Mariana Luis Castillo Patron
Comms & Engagement Officer
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales



Arash Atashnama
Investment Analyst
Division of Research & Enterprise,  The University of New South Wales

• In 2015, Michael Crouch’s generous donation and vision to “find a better way” led to the creation of a unique space at UNSW - the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre (MCIC).Today, as the heart of the Founders Program, the MCIC is a bustling hub where student entrepreneurs, innovators, and makers learn to use state-of-the-art Makerspace equipment, from laser cutters and 3D printers to a variety of shop tools, facilitating the prototyping of start-up ideas and entrepreneurial ventures.

• In 2017, the visionary contributions of Dr. FF Wong and Maha Sinnathamby were instrumental in establishing our flagship Founders 10x Accelerator program. This initiative has supported and provided seed investment to 107 high-impact startups to date.

• The ongoing support from Peter Farrell and the Farrell Family Foundation is another cornerstone of our success. Their generosity powers the annual Peter Farrell Cup (PFC), UNSW’s most prestigious student-led, team-based competitive ideas program. Now in its 24th year, the Peter Farrell Cup is fast-tracking the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing access to the knowledge, tools, expertise, and learning environment essential for their ideas to thrive.

• Chris Baxter, Managing Director of Baxter IP, has been a steadfast supporter of the UNSW Founders program. His involvement helped establish the Entrepreneurial HDR program (eHDR), a comprehensive suite of workshops designed to equip higher degree research students with essential entrepreneurial skills.

• In 2022, we welcomed veteran entrepreneur Gary Zamel as our Entrepreneur-in-Residence, succeeding UNSW’s 2021 Entrepreneur-in-Residence Trevor Folsom. Zamel’s contributions are aimed at directly supporting the startups emerging from our program, all of which are dedicated to solving real-world challenges in health, education, security, and beyond.

• This year we were thrilled to announce our partnership with Westpac for 2024. This sponsorship provides crucial financial backing for promising founders through dedicated pitch prizes and scholarships. This non-dilutive funding support is designed to address barriers that women founders may experience when pursuing their startup full time, including those who may struggle to balance family and work commitments and access capital for business growth. It can also help cover their cost of travel or supplement income when undertaking the 10-week 10x Accelerator program.

• Finally, we acknowledge UNSW and the Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs for embracing entrepreneurship among the top three strategic priorities. This rare and courageous commitment has fostered a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem at UNSW, empowering countless innovators to transform their ideas into impactful solutions. Their visionary support highlights UNSW’s leadership in solving society’s most pressing challenges through innovation and creativity.