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Australia's Monash University has launched the Monash Ventures Pre-Seed Fund, a $15 million initiative developed in partnership with Breakthrough Victoria to support the commercialisation of research through investment in early-stage spinout companies.
Monash Ventures is a new initiative comprising the University’s ventures and investment activities to help finance and nurture spinout companies. The Pre-Seed Fund is a cornerstone of Monash Ventures and will play a critical role in accelerating research translation and advancing Monash’s innovation ecosystem.
Providing up to $1 million per company, the fund invests in spinouts emerging from Monash research with strong commercial and societal potential. Alongside capital, recipients gain access to expert networks, mentoring and support to advance proof-of-concept and de-risk technologies on the path to further investment.
Three Monash spinouts have received inaugural investments from the fund:
FytonBio
Developing therapeutic antibodies that deplete disease-causing immune cells, with a focus on inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Based on the GPCR-targeting GREAT Platform, developed by Associate Professor Remy Robert at the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.
Remagine Labs
Engineering wearable, electronically controlled transdermal drug delivery systems for people living with chronic conditions. The team works in partnership with the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) and the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication within the Monash Technology Precinct.
Myostellar
Creating regenerative therapies that stimulate skeletal muscle growth while minimising fibrosis, with a focus on treating muscular dystrophies. Founded at the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute.
