Post by Brandon Capital

𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐩 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 - 𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦. At our recent CUREator showcase, founders, investors, researchers, clinicians, government & policy makers and industry leaders came together to discuss the critical role translation plays in transforming research discoveries into companies, products, and patient outcomes. Chris Nave opened the afternoon session by reinforcing why CUREator exists, why it matters now, and why continued engagement across the ecosystem is essential. Amanda Caples PhD GAICD highlighted the strategic importance of translation and the need for national innovation infrastructure to support emerging ventures and build industries, while Amanda Vrselja shared the impact of CUREator's disciplined, investor-minded approach to grant funding. We heard directly from founders building momentum across the portfolio, including Patricia Rueda, Jon Bernadini (Proxima), Lauren Giorgio (GPN Vaccines), Hugh Alsop (Kinoxis Therapeutics Pty Ltd), Denny Cottle (xCystence Bio), and Vanessa Waddell (PolyActiva), who showcased how CUREator support has helped advance their science and accelerate key milestones. Investor perspectives from Emil B. (IP Group), Amanda Gillon (BioScience Managers), Michael Bettess (Brandon Capital), Joey Man (Tenmile), and Alastair Hick (Uniseed) reinforced the importance of strong translational pathways in creating investable opportunities. The discussion continued with Christina Kulis, Anand Gautam, Alex Delbridge PhD, and Vanessa Waddell, who shared valuable insights into what attracts attention in today's biomedtech market and what founders need to demonstrate to build investor confidence. The next wave of Australian innovation was on display through presentations from Aaron DeBono, Ray Wong (Mirugen), Angela Ko (Frontier Inflammasome Therapeutics), Maree Bilandzic (AMT Bio), Jean Tan (Myostellar), and John Shanks (Kraken Coding), highlighting the exciting pipeline of new companies emerging from Australian research institutions. A final investor panel featuring Katherine Jackman (Brandon Capital), Kathy Nielsen (BioCurate Pty Ltd), Heshan Peiris (WEHI Ventures), Fiona Lewis (Monash University Ventures), and Calum McConville (Tin Alley Ventures) explored what it takes to support and scale the next generation of ventures. A huge thank you to all speakers, founders, investors, partners, and supporters who contributed to the conversation. The calibre of science, entrepreneurship, and collaboration on display was powerful. Programs like CUREator play a vital role in helping bridge the gap between discovery and commercial success—and the future pipeline has never looked stronger. #CUREatorshowcase #CUREator #Biotech #MedTech #LifeSciences #VentureCapital #AustralianInnovation