Researcher-to-Founder
Journey
2nd Feb - 18th Feb 2026
Led by Russell Merz (enviroMETS Queensland). Aligned with the Viksit Bharat Bill, this intensive workshop covers research translation, commercialisation pathways, licensing, spin-outs, and real-world impact.
Program Overview
From Research Excellence to Company Leadership
A one-day intensive inspired by leading ecosystems like Oxford, Stanford, and Cambridge. Learn how top accelerators and translational research hubs move ideas from lab to market.
This masterclass brings 100+ years of collective expertise from 5 countries. This is not a startup bootcamp—it's a founder-readiness immersion grounded in international best practice.
THE ROADMAP
Learning Outcomes
A one-day intensive inspired by leading ecosystems like Oxford, Stanford, and Cambridge. Learn how top accelerators and translational research hubs move ideas from lab to market.
GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM INSIGHTS
Learn from Oxford, Stanford, and Cambridge's proven translation models.
ACCELERATOR BEST PRACTICES
Discover frameworks used by leading hubs to move research to market.
MINDSET TRANSFORMATION
Transition from classroom thinking to boardroom decision-making.
OXFORD-STYLE TRANSLATION*
Scale deep research into companies without compromising credibility.
STANFORD SPARK MODEL*
Prepare research for real-world adoption before fundraising begins.
CAMBRIDGE & MIT PATHWAYS*
Understand global commercialisation routes across leading ecosystems.
FOUNDER MINDSET SHIFT
Unpack the transformation top accelerators see when researchers become founders.
THE "MISSING MIDDLE" CHALLENGE
Examine why world-class research stalls in global innovation systems.
STRATEGIC CLARITY
Build narrative and intent before engaging investors, like successful researcher-founders.
FOUNDER READINESS ASSESSMENT
Gain insight into frameworks accelerators use to assess founder readiness, not just startup ideas.
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
This is not a startup bootcamp—it's a founder-readiness immersion grounded in international best practice.
Workshop Details
Format
1-Day IFDP (Full-Day Intensive)
Audience
Researchers, Faculty, Research Heads, Innovation & Incubation Teams
Outcome
A clearer pathway to move research toward adoption, commercialisation, and measurable impact
Leave with a global perspective on what it takes to move from research excellence to company leadership.
Meet Our Facilitators
Russell Merz
Commercialisation, Ventures & Technology (NED)
EnviroMETS Queensland, Australia
An experienced engineering and business executive with 35+ years of international experience across water-related risk, resilience, and stewardship. He has helped start up and scale technologies linked to water, ESG, decarbonisation, and digital transformation in the resources and energy sectors, and is a Fellow of Engineers Australia (civil & environmental). He has provided technical direction on multi-disciplinary projects in 45+ countries, with deep exposure to environmental & water management, capacity-building, and global standards/impact frameworks.
- Fellow of Engineers Australia (civil & environmental)
- Technical direction on projects in 45+ countries
Dr. Manish Malhotra
Founder
Futred Innovation Studios & ATMC, Australia
Dr. Malhotra has built institutions that bridge higher education and employability. He is the Founder of ATMC (Australian Technical and Management College), which has delivered degrees to over 18,000 international students in partnership with Australian universities. A PhD in Computer Science (RMIT University, Australia), he has also completed executive education at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and London Business School.
- Founder of ATMC - 18,000+ international students
- Executive education at Oxford Saïd & London Business School
Transform Research into Impact
Delivered by Futred Innovation Studios. Leave with a global perspective on what it takes to move from research excellence to company leadership.