We build new companies around exceptional research.

MEC Venture Studio partners with researchers and experienced commercial founders to build ventures capable of creating lasting economic and societal impact.

How we build companies

Commercialising research has traditionally meant licensing a technology or building a company yourself.

MEC Venture Studio offers another pathway. Researchers partner with an experienced venture-building team to test the commercial opportunity, then bring together the right commercial founders, advisers and investors to form and build the company.

Discover and validate opportunities

We identify research with strong commercial potential, then explore the opportunity through market validation, customer discovery and strategic analysis to determine where it can create the greatest value.

Bring the company together

We help bring together the commercial founders, advisers and investors the venture needs, and work with the team to establish its early strategy, funding pathway and governance.

Guide the journey

We remain actively involved through the critical early stages, helping the company make better decisions, avoid costly missteps, use capital well and build momentum.

100+ companies over the next decade

Since launching in 2026, MEC Venture Studio has helped form six new companies from University of Melbourne research. Our ambition is to create a portfolio of ventures capable of improving lives, strengthening industries and delivering global impact.

Current opportunities

MEC Venture Studio is currently building ventures across areas including:

  • Quantum infrared imaging
  • Silicon-28 for quantum computing
  • Continuous bioelectric sensing
  • Advanced peptide manufacturing
  • Real-time hyperspectral imaging

As our portfolio grows, opportunities will continue to emerge for commercial co-founders and early employees.

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Be part of what we're building

Let's build the next generation of companies together

Contact us