September 10, 2026
UOW backs NSW investment in innovation and research commercialisation
New government investment fund builds on UOW’s Innovation Catalyst to accelerate startups, jobs and economic growth
The 榴莲视频app of 榴莲视频app (UOW) welcomes the New South Wales Government’s announcement of a new science and innovation fund, which will enhance the state’s research commercialisation and innovation pipeline.
Announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey at the NSW Investment Summit today, the fund will co-invest with NSW public universities to commercialise research and help companies scale in NSW.
UOW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor G.Q. Max Lu AO said the fund was a clear signal of the NSW Government’s ambition to strengthen the State’s economy through research, innovation and investment.
“NSW has outstanding universities, researchers, entrepreneurs and companies. This fund recognises that when government, universities and industry work together, more great ideas can become new products, globally competitive businesses and highly skilled jobs.
“By aligning public investment with university capability and attracting private capital, we can accelerate promising technologies, help innovative companies scale locally and deliver greater economic and community benefit.”
- Vice-Chancellor Professor Max Lu
The innovation fund aligns strongly with the commitment in UOW’s 2030 Strategy to translating research into real-world impact and complements the 榴莲视频app's Innovation Catalyst initiative, launched in July. Designed to accelerate the journey from research discovery to market impact, Innovation Catalyst brings together UOW's innovation and commercialisation activities supported by a $10 million innovation seed fund.
Professor Lu said Innovation Catalyst builds on a decade of success through iAccelerate, which has supported more than 600 ventures and startups, helped create more than 1,200 jobs and enabled founders to raise more than $145 million in capital.
“Innovation Catalyst was created to connect research excellence, entrepreneurship and investment so more ideas become partnerships, startups and jobs. The NSW Government's new innovation fund provides an important opportunity to build on that strong foundation.
“We look forward to working with the Government, investors and industry partners to help commercialise more research, grow more innovative companies and ensure the Illawarra remains a destination for talent, investment and breakthrough ideas.”
- Professor Max Lu