Insights on Commercialisation, Spinouts, and Entrepreneurship with Dr Alastair Hick

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Alastair Hick, Chief Commercialisation Officer at Monash University.

With a PhD in Chemical Ecology and an MBA from the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, Alastair has a wealth of experience both in Australian and overseas markets and brings an ecosystem approach to commercialisation and innovation.

At Monash University, Alastair has been responsible has developed a successful IP commercialisation program and an also oversees The Generator, a hub that develops the entrepreneurial talent of Monash’s students, staff, and alumni. 

Alastair has recently established a $15 million Monash/Breakthrough Victoria Pre-Seed fund and is chair of its investment committee. He was also a founding director of the $30 million Trans-Tasman Commercialisation Fund; is a director of Monash University spinouts Jupiter Ionics, Phrenix Therapeutics, Myostellar and Flex Immunotherapeutics; as well as an early-stage investor Uniseed and therapeutics development company BioCurate.

In this episode, you will learn from Alastair about: 

• The evolution of the commercialisation ecosystem at Monash University 
• The role of entrepreneurial talent in innovation success
• Challenges in scaling and accessing investment
• Potential role of the government in supporting Australian innovation
• The importance of mentorship and confidence in entrepreneurship.

Learn more about Dr Alastair Hick.

Learn more about The Generator.

Updated version 05/08/22