Last week, our COO Niv Silvapalan and Business Development Associate Ben Seers headed to Cairns for the Tropical Innovation Festival as part of our ongoing regional roadshows.
Niv and Ben took part in a series of panels focused on research commercialisation and sustainability, sharing TRaCE’s experience and learning from others navigating the same challenges across the country.
Here are four key takeaways they brought back:
- VC-backed deep tech with embedded execution support.
Leading deep tech VC firms are evolving beyond traditional funding roles to offer comprehensive support, including R&D project management, commercialisation expertise, and hands-on execution assistance. For example, Samsara Eco has successfully scaled by combining scientific excellence with robust commercial partnerships, while AndHealth+ integrates funding with embedded project management, functioning as both incubator and operator to accelerate startup growth.
- University spinouts work if the IP model is right.
University spinouts are increasingly recognised as the ideal path to commercialise deep tech intellectual property, but success depends on how universities manage their equity stakes. By avoiding overvaluation and taking smaller, more flexible shares, spinouts can attract a broad mix of public, private, and strategic investors. This flexibility is crucial to meeting the large-scale capital demands of deep tech ventures. When universities hold inflated stakes, it can crowd the cap table, deter investors, and slow the journey from innovation to impact.
- PsiQuantum: a case study of deep tech scale-up
PsiQuantum exemplifies successful deep tech commercialisation, built through a strategic blend of federal, state, and private investment. The company’s engineering excellence, an area of notable Australian expertise, has been central to its progress. Its growth is further supported by Quantum Australia, a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates collaboration between academia, government, and industry within the national quantum ecosystem.
- Government support is becoming more targeted
The Queensland Government is taking a more targeted approach to supporting emerging technologies, with a dedicated investment strategy in quantum computing. This strategy is helping to build specialised infrastructure and develop industry verticals focused on quantum capabilities.
Nationally, CSIRO’s HyResource initiative serves as a centralised digital platform cataloguing hydrogen-related projects, infrastructure, and equipment across Australia. Designed to support collaboration and private sector engagement, it offers open access to data and tools critical to accelerating the hydrogen economy.
The Tropical Innovation Festival highlighted both progress and challenges in Australia’s deep tech and sustainability ecosystems. With evolving VC models, smarter IP strategies, and targeted government support, the foundation for innovation is maturing. The festival confirmed one thing: Australia’s innovation ecosystem is growing but only bold, flexible funding and collaboration will unlock its full potential. At TRaCE, we’re ready to help make that happen.
