Murdoch
University showed off its myriad research facilities this week to
representatives from a number of major national and international
venture capital brokers. In the ever tightening fiscal environment
Universities are seeking partners to develop technologies and commercialise
leading edge technologies. To that end Murdoch opened the doors to
three of its best research facilities.
Where
would such a tour start? At the ETC of coarse. Followed by the State
Agricultural Biotechnology Centre and the Interactive Media Arts Centre.
Welcomed
by Chair of the ETC Board, Professor Goen Ho, and Research Manager,
Dr Martin Anda, the group was given a brief introduction to the ETC,
its 'new' award winning buildings, the permaculture garden and a number
of the small scale environmentally sustainable technologies (ESTs)
that have been commercialised including the Solar Powered Desalination
Plant (commercialised with our industry partner Solar Energy Systems
Ltd).
Dr
Anda said that visits of this sort were very important to centres
like the ETC. " We need to build stronger links with industry
but just as important is to demonstrate to Venture Capital brokers
and other potential investors that real profits can be made from commercialising
technologies that we are developing and refining. Australia is a world
leader in small scale ESTs but getting local investment is a struggle."
Representatives
from CM Capital Investments, Starfish Ventures, GBS Venture Partners
and Quadrant Capital took part in the Murdoch University Research
Facilities Tour hosted by Vice Chancellor, Professor John Yovich.
more
info:
Visit the Solar Energy
Systems Ltd Website
Visit the Interactive Media
Arts Centre Website
Visit the State
Agricultural Biotechnology Centre Website
