Inventor Mentoring Program
Through this program, researchers will be matched with external mentors who are there to provide support, guidance, and connections for those who may be thinking about market opportunities for the first time.
Program guidelines can be found here.
Who is this for?
This program is for researchers who are interested in seeing their research applied in the real-world but have little or no experience or confidence with commercialisation.
Participants must be a researcher (staff or higher degree researcher) at the University of Sydney at the start and for the duration of the program.
The purpose of this program is to give researchers who are new to commercialisation a safe, friendly, thoughtful external partner who has experience in supporting research entrepreneurs.
The program aims to help researchers:
- Connect to an entrepreneurial community of support.
- Develop confidence in commercial understanding.
- Build interpersonal skills as related to communicating research.
- Develop an understanding of what it takes to get a technology, process, or other invention to market.
- Have ongoing conversations and guidance to develop a commercialisation strategy for their research.
The program provides an opportunity for mentees and mentors to develop a trusting relationship by meeting regularly and discussing matters relating to career development. Enhance collaboration and communication throughout the Portfolio and cross-University, enabling staff to connect with others outside their direct team.
The Inventor Mentoring program runs in-person face to face at the Sydney Knowledge Hub. All sessions will be held over lunch at the Sydney Knowledge Hub on the Darlington Campus to give you the chance to meet other researchers and supporters of commercialisation in and outside the University of Sydney.
To be eligible, mentees need to commit to attendance on all the following dates and times:
1. Monthly 1.5-hour mentoring sessions with your matched mentor
Thursday 17th October 2024 |
12pm - 1:30pm |
Thursday 14th November 2024 |
12pm - 1:30pm |
Thursday 12th December 2024 |
12pm - 1:30pm |
Thursday 13th February 2025 |
12pm - 1:30pm |
Thursday 13th March 2025 |
12pm - 1:30pm |
Thursday 10th April 2025 |
12pm - 1:30pm |
2. Three 2.5-hour workshops to enrich your mentoring sessions
Thursday 31st October 2024 |
2pm-4:30pm |
1. Problem discovery. |
Thursday, 5th December 2024 |
2pm-4:30pm |
2. Problem validation. |
Thursday 6th March 2025 |
2pm-4:30pm |
3. Communicating to potential partners and investors. |
If you would like to apply, click here.
Our pool of external mentors are wonderful supporters of research commercialisation, and are there to encourage and support you, help you brainstorm, and connect you to others that may be able to help.
They consist of alumni, venture capital friends of Sydney Knowledge Hub, and other experienced professionals. We will match mentees with mentors that have experience in their particular area.
If you want to become a Mentor, reach out to:
Jane Cockburn
Program Manager, Sydney Knowledge Hub
2022 Participant program results
The 2022 Mentees said their next steps as a result of the program included:
- "I have started serious discussions for the incorporation of a company."
- "We are capital raising and about to do a simulated clinical trial."
- "I am starting an internship with a medtech company that's aligned with my research area... for hands-on experience."
...and many others say they are now hunting for industry partners.