PERIscope Commercialisation Award

Accelerating the journey from breakthrough research to market-ready solutions.

The PERIscope Commercialisation Award is a funding scheme designed to identify and accelerate promising new ventures and licensing opportunities.

Overview

This program helps researchers explore and accelerate the commercial potential of their work by providing:

  • Up to $61,500 in funding per team to buy out researcher time and reduce competing commitments.
  • Residency at the Sydney Knowledge Hub, working alongside a community of founders.
  • Access to industry networks and experts to guide market validation
  • Structured support for identifying licensing and venture creation pathways.

Each selected team includes a Project Principal (committing ~10% of their time) and a nominated Entrepreneur Lead (dedicating 100% of their time), working together to validate the market opportunity for their research.

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Submit an EOI

Applications are closed for 2025. Submit an expression of interest for next year.

2025 PERIscope Award Program Guidelines

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2025_periscope_award_program_guidelines_20250813.pdf
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2025 PERIscope Award Program Guidelines
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pdf

Project phases

Over four days, subject matter experts will train participants on globallyrecognised commercialisation frameworks. A PERIscope Commercialisation Market Validation Action Plan is developed by the team.

Time commitment:

  • Minimum 10% Project Principal
  • 100% Entrepreneur Lead 

During this phase, the Entrepreneur Lead is be based at the Sydney Knowledge Hub alongside other Entrepreneur Leads, the PERIscope Program Manager, and the wider founder community. They’ll receive personalised coaching and mentoring from the Knowledge Hub team, university staff, and external experts.

Over 13 weeks, the Entrepreneur Lead commits full-time to delivering the Market Validation Action Plan, including insights from at least 100 off-campus conversations with industry contacts and stakeholders to assess the project’s commercial potential.

The Project Principal provides technical support, while the matched MBA alumni and Commercialisation Office representative continue to advise the team.

Time commitment:

  • Minimum 10% Project Principal
  • 100% Entrepreneur Lead 

At the end of the program teams present their findings to a review panel selected by the Sydney Knowledge Hub. The panel includes experts from industry, venture capital, and research entrepreneurship, and provides tailored recommendations on next steps—such as forming a new venture, licensing, seeking funding, or refining the technology.

Time commitment:

One hour for both Project Principal and Entrepreneur Lead

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