UNSW ranked number one for startups and spinouts for third straight year

A national report of public research outcomes shows UNSW is the leading university for transforming research into promising and successful businesses. 

UNSW Sydney has ranked number one in the country for the largest number of new startup and spinout companies founded through technology developed at the University in 2023. This is the third consecutive year the UNSW has topped the table in the annual Survey of Commercialisation Outcomes from Public Research Report (SCOPR).

UNSW recorded 12 spinout companies in 2023 across a variety of fields. The UNSW-derived projects include new treatments for tissue surgery, clean fuel, next-gen solar modelling and virtual reality driving simulators.

UNSW Deputy Director of Business Development & Commercialisation Dr Dax Kukulj said the milestone reinforced UNSW’s position as Australasia’s leading institution in research commercialisation and entrepreneurship.

“It’s extremely rewarding to again top the region for new spinout companies. UNSW continues to prioritise commercialisation efforts through our Industry & Innovation portfolio and Founders programs, and major initiatives like the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) and Defence Trailblazer. By strengthening our entrepreneurial ecosystem, and supporting spinout companies, we are driving real societal impact from our world-class research at UNSW," he said.

Medical implants to revolutionise tendon repair surgery

Over his three decades of research, Professor Bill Walsh has helped pioneer research into tissue reconstructive technologies.

Prof. Walsh and his colleague Dr Matthew Pelletier developed their trailblazing concept, which is likely to change the way surgery on tendons and ligaments is performed. The pair founded Point Break Orthopedics with key partner, US firm Cor Medical Ventures, with the view to making the product available to surgeons worldwide.

They have since raised more than US$2 million in seed funding which will go towards its commercialisation, and say their sports medicine implants could increase success rates for millions of people who undergo tendon and tendon-bone reconstructive surgery each year.

Prof. Walsh said UNSW’s Innovation & Industry team was very supportive of their idea and were instrumental in helping him and Dr Pelletier start the spinout company.

Cutting carbon emissions for heavy industry 

UNSW spinout DeCarice is accelerating the clean fuel transition by commercialising research in technology that converts diesel engines to run on hydrogen.

Mechanical engineer Professor Shawn Kook developed the technology that can be retrofitted into existing diesel engines, thereby allowing heavy industries to significantly cut their carbon dioxide emissions.

Prof. Kook said he knew his technology could help accelerate decarbonisation across a range of hard to abate heavy industries such as mining and agriculture.

“Diesel operators are required to reduce their CO2 emissions, and this is key for their operations – there’s desperate demand for it,” he said.