From Invention to Impact: Commercialising Ideas, IP and Innovation

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.

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 share insights on:

• How inventions move from an idea / the lab into startup formation

• When patents create real commercial value, and when they can slow progress

• Licensing negotiations, equity structures, inventor relationships and publication timelines

• Common mistakes founders make when commercialising

• What Australia needs to build more globally successful deep-tech companies

• How alumni can contribute beyond founding, including as advisors, operators, board members, angel investors and commercialisation specialists

Expect a practical and down-to-earth conversation that brings together founder experience, IP expertise and ecosystem insight. The evening will offer honest stories, useful lessons and a chance to connect with fellow MBS alumni interested in innovation, entrepreneurship and research commercialisation.

Who should attend:

Aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers, early-stage founders, investors, advisors, operators, board members, and MBS alumni curious about building a commercially successful venture.

Format:

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).