Multi-award winning startup incubator Macquarie University Incubator is expanding its network by welcoming 11 new startups and scaleups, which are all focused on finding solutions to prominent economic, health and business issues. The new cohort will call the purpose-built Macquarie Incubator building home during their commercialisation journey, growing and developing their businesses through the Startup Educate Program.
What are the promising startups in the 2023 program?
Established and run exclusively at Macquarie University, cohort companies can undertake practical and applied learning that founders need to build sustainable, high-growth firms.
The program also caters to researchers looking to commercialise and intrapreneurs wanting to spark business innovation within their industries. The firms operate in a diverse range of sectors including tech, communications, pharmaceuticals, health, education and engineering.
Promising startups in the 2023 program include:
- WorkNet
- Aiming to solve international student employment issues in Australia, WorkNet helps with Visa issues and communication skills to provide fair job opportunities.
- Procurement Marketplace
- Procurement Marketplace is the global gig economy marketplace for professional services in procurement, engineering and project management, aiming to close the skills gap seen across Australia
- ZymeDyme Therapeutics
- Aims to achieve pain relief by using non-opioid based treatments that achieve pain relief without the detrimental side effects of opioid-based medication addiction and respiratory depression.
What is the mission behind the program?
Despite an uncertain 2022 in the startup sector, the Macquarie University Incubator continued to deliver top services that helped cohort firms grow. Firms increased their staff headcount by 15%, with 35 employees bringing the total employed by the cohort to 265. The Incubator was also awarded a further 2,000 sqm of mixed-use space on Macquarie University campus that is fit for scaling and security first scaleups and labs for deep tech startups and scaleups.
Melissa Ryan, Macquarie University Incubator, Director Incubation & Entrepreneurship commented: “The Macquarie Incubator is designed to drive the development of sustainable, scalable and investable companies. We’re unique in the Australian startup ecosystem because of our egalitarian approach and being open to any innovator, in any field, at any stage.”
“Our point of difference is building bridges between startups and Macquarie University researchers whose discoveries underpin deep tech innovation. Last year, six startups worked with researchers and anticipate this engaged ecosystem will continue into 2023. When it comes to navigating the road from a bright idea to successful, scalable commercialisation, the guidance of someone who’s already been there can completely change the game.”
“Pairing resident startups with the right mentors to power their journey is an essential component of the Macquarie University Incubator approach. It’s a true partnership with incredible benefits for those willing to be involved,” Melissa Ryan further commented.
