From Invention to Impact: Commercialising Ideas, IP and Innovation

Explore how ideas become deep-tech startups, when patents add value, and how alumni can contribute as founders, investors or advisors.

Join the Melbourne Business School Alumni Entrepreneurship Club for an inspiring and practical evening exploring the world of patents, intellectual property, commercialisation, and deep-tech entrepreneurship. Free online registration and $22 in-person tickets!

This event will go beyond a technical discussion about patents and IP. Through founder stories, legal and IP perspectives, and honest reflections from the commercialisation journey, the session will explore how more MBS alumni can become part of the ecosystem — whether as founders, investors, operators, advisors or board members.

Our guest speakers on the evening will include:
Justin Yeung, Professor of Surgery, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, and Co-Founder and CMO of PredicTx Health
Justin Fong, PhD, Research Fellow, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne
Sinth Jegaskanda, Head of Intellectual Property, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Michael Cooper, Intellectual Property Protection Specialist, Director of Cooper IP, Australian and New Zealand Patent Attorney

Through an engaging panel discussion, our speakers will explore how ideas move from the lab into startup formation, when patents add commercial value or slow progress, and the realities of licensing, equity, inventor relationships and publication timelines. They will also share common commercialisation mistakes, discuss what Australia needs to build more globally successful deep-tech companies, and highlight how alumni can contribute as advisors, operators, board members, investors and commercialisation specialists. Expect an honest, practical conversation combining founder experience, IP expertise and valuable networking with fellow MBS alumni.

This event will be helpful to all aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers, early-stage founders, investors, advisors, operators, board members, and MBS alumni curious about building a commercially successful venture.

5:45 - Arrival and Registration
6:00 - 7:00 - Panel discussion and audience Q&A at Melbourne Business School.
7:00 - 8:30 - Networking and light refreshments at Prince Alfred Hotel, 191 Grattan St, Carlton VIC 3053 (short walk from Melbourne Business School).

Hosted by MBS Alumni Entrepreneurship Club