Curtin University will showcase a range of commercially viable technologies at the upcoming Univation 2011, a collaborative event designed to enhance relationships between researchers and industry across Western Australia’s research-intensive universities.
Scheduled for early November 2011 at Perth’s Burswood Convention Centre, this year’s agenda will include 20 exciting commercialisation opportunities and international speakers, including David Henderson, Founder and Managing Director of XPV Capital Corporation, Toronto, one of the world’s largest firms solely dedicated to investing in high growth water companies.
Curtin Director of IP Commercialisation, Rohan McDougall, said Mr Henderson’s presence at Univation 2011 was of particular interest to WA due to XPV’s focus on identifying and investing in companies capitalising on the significant opportunities created by the ‘new water economy’.
“This is just one example of the forward-thinking opportunities and technological solutions investors will be looking at as the world moves towards addressing energy, food, water and security challenges,” Mr McDougall said.
Mr McDougall said last year’s Univation proved to be a great success and was the highlight of the innovation calendar in WA.
“The event showcased some of the top research being developed at Western Australia’s Universities, and also featured leading venture capitalists and industry investors from across Australia and Silicon Valley,” he said.
“One of the key outcomes of Univation 2010 was appointment of Mr Bill Tai of Charles River Ventures as an Innovator in Residence and visiting Professor at Curtin University.
“Bill’s appointment also led to the launch of the WApp Awards. This is a competition specifically designed for the Univation program to identify the best mobile app concept from staff, students and alumni of WA universities.”
Mr McDougall said finalists of the WApp awards would present their apps as part of this year’s Univation program and go into the running to win prize money and resources allowing them to build an advanced prototype for launch.
“Finalists will be judged by a panel of world-leading investors and entrepreneurs in the information and communications technology space chaired by Mr Tai,” he said.
“It is shaping up to be an exciting program and we are already seeing strong interest for the WApp Awards. We look forward to a strong local, national and international presence at Univation 2011.”
Further information on Univation 2011 and the WApp awards can be found here: www.univation.com.au
Contacts:
Rohan McDougall, Director IP Commercialisation, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 3370, Email: r.mcdougall@curtin.edu.au
Andrea Barnard, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 4241, Email: andrea.barnard@curtin.edu.au
Web: www.univation.com.au
