Deep Tech Adventures
Main Sequence
Australia’s deep tech investment fund tackling the world’s biggest challenges
Deep Tech Adventures #1 🚀
Welcome to the first edition of Main Sequence 's 'Deep Tech Adventures' LinkedIn Newsletter, an update for founders, researchers and investors in the world of deep tech venturing. Take a read below and make sure to subscribe for events on our radar, our most up-to-date ecosystem news and job opportunities calling your name.
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Researcher Office Hours
If you are a scientist, engineer or researcher trying to commercialise your work, we’d love to invite you to join us for a virtual coffee and chat. Our team are running weekly Researcher Office Hours, book a time here.
Coming up
Queensland is going through an incredible period of digital innovation, and to celebrate, Something Digital is back again!
This year, our very own Alezeia Brown will be speaking at a panel during a Net Zero session, chatting about how we can build greener cities powered by renewables and waste-free solutions.
Designed for everyone from founders to academics, there’s something for one and all at the Something Digital conference taking place October 25 & 26 across three locations in Brisbane.
Learn more and book tickets here.
In the labs
🧪 When it comes to creating game-changing innovations, it’s not often we show what’s going on behind the scenes — from research to ideation, there’s a lot going on in the labs!
This month, we’re shining a light on Uluu ’s 100% plastic-free natural polymer! Created to rid the world of plastic pollution, ULUU’s solution is taking the world by storm.
Portfolio spotlight
It’s been a big month for Main Sequence portfolio companies. Celebrating milestones, welcoming new team members and sharing exciting news with the world.
💥 Australian Financial Review BOSS Most Innovative Companies Awards
Announced Friday, 14th October, not one, not two but THREE Main Sequence Portfolio Companies have been named among the 2022 The Australian Financial Review BOSS Most Innovative Companies!
1️⃣ Advanced Navigation has taken out the top spot for overall Best Product Innovation for Hydrus and is in spot number 2 in the Technology category.
2️⃣ Inventia Life Science has been named a top-ten innovator in the Health sector for their RASTRUM™ 3D Cell Culture Platform.
3️⃣ Morse Micro has also been named a Top Ten Innovator in the Technology sector for their WiFi HaLow solution.
Great to see incredible innovations recognised and congratulations to all the teams for their hard work!
When it comes to sustainability in food, unfortunately, we’re not very good at it. From waste to unsustainable production methods, we are quickly outstripping our ability to grow food as our population scales.
But while products like oat milk and soy milk are a step in the right direction, they require copious amounts of water, only adding to the issues our planet faces.
The good news is that the team at Eden Brew are doing something about it. Using lab ‘brewed’ milk, Eden Brew has created a product by emulating the natural fermentation process that happens in cows. Earlier this month they shared the news that animal-free milk should be on the shelves by 2024.
Speaking to Channel 9 this month, CEO and Co-Founder, Jim Fader chatted all about the future of alternative protein and the next frontier for Eden Brew.
When it comes to knowing what our technological products are made of, not many consider what it is that actually goes into our devices — how does my smart fridge really know what I’m running low on? How does my motion-sensor dog camera work?
The reality is that semiconductors make up a large portion of our incredible technology, especially our “Internet-Of-Things” devices.
The team at Morse Micro do exactly that — and much more. As Australia’s largest semiconductor maker, the team have revolutionised the industry through their energy-efficient, long-range WiFi HaLow chips.
Earlier this month, the team celebrated the news of their successful Series B funding round, raising AU$140 Million AUD to help turbocharge the distribution of their unique product.
Speaking to the Australian Financial Review, Co-Founder and chief executive Michael De Nil shared that the raise and partnership with MegaChips would usher in a new era for WiFi HaLow technology. Congratulations to the team!
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The Big 💡
For those who are venturing into unknown territory, it can be difficult to know if the choices you’re making are the right ones.
For researchers who are looking to cross the ‘valley of death’ between research and commercialisation, that leap of faith is often a hard decision and can come with uncertainty and more.
With this in mind, earlier this month, Phil Morle sat down with the team at The Gutsy One's podcast to chat about how he knew when it was the right time to take a leap.
From his decision to pass up joining The Royal Shakespeare Company as an assistant director and moving Down Under to live and work, Phil’s sliding door moment led to a career as one of Australia’s most recognised startup investors.
Curious to learn more about how he achieved this and what it takes to trust your gut?
Have a listen here 🎧
Portfolio news
🌐 Castlepoint Systems: CEO Rachael Greaves took out the award for Most Outstanding Woman in IT Security Award at the 2022 Women in Security Awards! Congratulations Rachael!
In another big announcement, Castlepoint Systems was also announced as a finalist in the 2022 AISA Awards!
🚗 Baraja: Spectrum-Scan LiDAR solution was showcased by Monash Motor Sport’s M19-D driverless car, comparing the solution against a different LiDAR solution. With great improvements clearly evident with the Spectrum-Scan LiDAR, Baraja came out on top!
🧬 Coviu Global : CEO and Co-Founder Dr Silvia Pfeiffer PhD GAICD was named a 2022 Champion of Change Finalist as part of the National Women in Digital Awards.
🛡️ Emesent : Was interviewed at the Army’s Robotics Expo, where they pitched their solution-focused technology to a challenge statement issued by the Australian Army.
🍃 Loam Bio : Celebrated their third birthday, while also spending a fantastic three days speaking to the growers at the Henty Field Days.
🚀 Gilmour Space Technologies : Is jetting off into space — and wants you to come along! The team officially announced their Caravan Space Mission, enabling passengers a (low earth orbit) voyage into space by 2024.
🧠 Q-CTRL & QuintessenceLabs : Q-CTRL CEO Professor Michael Biercuk and Dr Vikram Sharma of Quintessence Labs joined the National Quantum Advisory Committee chaired by Chief Scientist Cathy Foley to supercharge the future of quantum in Australia.
Q-CTRL also released an extended version of their learning platform, Black Opal Enterprise, to help businesses adopt quantum computing.
🛩️ Swoop Aero : Has partnered with Mater Group to bring their integrated drone logistics to South East Queensland, helping to support regional and remote Queensland patients.
🐛 RapidAIM Pty Ltd : CEO and Co-Founder, Dr Nancy Schellhorn, PhD Schellhorn shared her insights with The Guardian Australia about how tech is underpinning the future of food production in Australia.
🧱 MGA Thermal : Have been named as a finalist in the 2022 Innovation Aus Awards for excellence, being recognised for successfully advancing deep-tech research into the commercial realm — our fingers are crossed for you!
🔒 Practera : Celebrated their win of their Study Australia Industry Experience Program at the 2022 PIEoneer Awards, taking out the Highly Commended Employability International Impact award.
🌿 Regrow Ag : Has partnered with leading carbon project developer, South Pole, to bring greater regenerative agriculture products to the world! Director of Data Science, John Schriver, also spoke at the Google Cloud Sustainability Summit, sharing how they’re dedicated to transforming our agriculture system.
Want to keep up with the exciting developments across our portfolio? Follow them on Twitter here.
News from the home base 📣
Welcoming our newest Partner!
Earlier this month, we announced Gabrielle Munzer (Gabs) as the newest partner in the Main Sequence team.
Having been with Main Sequence since 2019, Gabs has been an integral part of our “Feed 10 Billion People” and “Decarbonise the Planet” challenges, working closely with portfolio companies including Samsara Eco and Eden Brew .
As the newest Partner, Gabs will be heading up our renewed focus on biotechnology, helping to scale synthetic biology research to product development and commercialisation.
Learn more about her new role and more here.
Deep tech jobs
There are hundreds of exciting job opportunities available within our portfolio.
Find your next career adventure on our jobs board or sign up for our weekly jobs and opportunities newsletter.
Highlights include: