KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Award nominations are now open!
Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia (KCA) is the non-profit, peak body leading best practice in industry engagement, technology transfer and entrepreneurship for public sector research organisations since 1978. Our sector is changing rapidly and profoundly. To help our members rise to this challenge, KCA provides influential advocacy, accredited training, world-leading resources and outstanding opportunities for recognition and networking.
In recognition of the outstanding efforts of our member organisations we have put in place awards to recognise exemplary outcomes. This year KCA is seeking to leverage the importance of the impact that comes from our members and have rebranded and expanded the awards which are now known as the KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards.
The 2022 KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards
Best New Invention
For the best patent specification published by a KCA member between the 1 January 2021 and 30 June 2022.
Sponsored by IP Australia
Best Industry Collaboration
For a significant and successful industry-research collaboration comprising any/all facets of research commercialisation, contract research, consulting services, training programs, infrastructure programs, community programs, and other collaborative research engagement activities.
Sponsored by Abbvie
Best Licensing Deal
For a significant and successful licensing deal. There must be evidence that the IP and knowledge transfer provided as part of the deal is being actively used by the licensee and provides a significant advantage or benefit.
Sponsored by Abbvie
Best Spin-out
For a significant and successful spin-out. There must be evidence that the IP and knowledge transfer provided as part of the spin-out is being actively used by the new venture and provides a significant advantage or benefit.
Sponsored by Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
Best Knowledge Exchange Initiative
For a significant and successful knowledge exchange initiative spanning at least 18 months. This broad based category could include knowledge transformation networks, industry clusters, internal commercial ventures, place based innovation initiatives such as innovation precincts, incubators or student startup or accelerator programs. There must be evidence of enduring value delivered through the initiative beyond the nominating institution.
Research Commercialisation Professional of the Year
For the continued practice, support, growth and advocacy of the profession. There must be evidence of a significant contribution to the advancement of the profession, and demonstration of the nominee’s contribution to economic, social and/or environmental benefit.
2021 KCA Awards
The KCA Awards celebrate the achievements of members, and highlight “top tier work” in Australasian tech transfer.
This year the KCA Awards have expanded to 4 categories as a response to change and growth in the profession and to be inclusive of the activities of KCA members.
We are delighted to announce the winners for the 2021 KCA Awards:
KCA Award for Best Industry Collaboration
RMIT for REMi non-invasive aged-care resident monitoring and alert system (RMIT, Sleeptite Pty Ltd, Sleepeezee Bedding Australia)
KCA Award for Best Licensing Deal
CSIRO for NextOre licencing deal (CSIRO, RFC Ambrian, NextOre, Advisian Digital)
KCA Award for Best Spin-out
UniQuest for Inflazome Ltd – A landmark deal and a new pathway to chronic inflammation relief (UniQuest)
KCA Award for Best Knowledge Exchange Initiative
La Trobe University for COVID-19 Recovery Programs for impacted small to medium enterprise (La Trobe University, Agriculture Victoria, Investible, Business Victoria, La Trobe Business School, Outcome.Life)
People’s Choice Award
RMIT for REMi non-invasive aged-care resident monitoring and alert system (RMIT, Sleeptite Pty Ltd, Sleepeezee Bedding Australia)
KCA Awards Judges
Dr Mark Wickham (Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick)
Dr Tim Boyle (ANSTO)
Natalie Chapman (gemaker)
Dr Laura Issa (Abbvie Inc.)
2020 KCA Awards
Proudly sponsored by Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
KCA Research Commercialisation Award
CSIRO-RFC Ambrian-Chrysos Corporation Spinout Partnership (presentation by Rob Adamson)
People’s Choice Award
Curtin University (presentation by Sam Dymond)
Award for Best Research Contract/Collaboration
CSIRO (presentation by Deborah Lau)
KCA Awards Judges
Dr Timothy Boyle – Director, ANSTO
Natalie Chapman – CEO, Gemaker
Dr Peter Devine – CEO, Uniseed
Ross McFarlane – Managing Principal, Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
Sally-Anne Williams – CEO, Cicada Innovations
2019 KCA Awards
Proudly sponsored by Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
KCA Research Commercialisation Award
Curtin University (presentation by Rohan McDougall)
People’s Choice Award
ANSTO (presentation by Timothy Boyle)
Awards Judges
Natalie Chapman, gemaker
James Hutchinson, KiwiNet
Mark Wickham, Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
2018 KCA Awards
Proudly Sponsored by Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
KCA Research Commercialisation Award
University of Tasmania (presentation by Darren Cundy)
People’s Choice Award
University of Tasmania (presentation by Darren Cundy)
Awards Judges
Natalie Chapman, gemaker
Charlie Day, OISA
Ross McFarlane, Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
Deb Verhoeven, University of Alberta
2017 KCA Awards
KCA Research Commercialisation Award
UNSW Innovation (presentation by Benjamin Matthewson)
People’s Choice Award
UNSW Innovation (presentation by Benjamin Matthewson)
Awards Judges
Duncan Mackintosh, Brandon Capital
Melissa Yiannoutsos, Powerhouse Ventures
Maxine Simmons, Cure Kids Ventures
2016 KCA Awards
Proudly sponsored by AUTM, PraxisUnico, ASTP-Proton and gemaker
Best Commercial Deal Award
UNSW Innovation (presentation by Hua Fan)
Best Industry Engagement Strategy
Curtin University (presentation by Rohan McDougall)
Best Entrepreneurial Support Initiative
UniSA Ventures (presentation by Jasmine Vreugdenburg)
Awards Judges
Erol Harvey, MiniFab
Dan Grant, La Trobe University
Anna Rooke, QUT Creative Enterprise Australia
2015 KCA Awards
Proudly sponsored by Wrays IP and gemaker
Best Creative Engagement Strategy
The University of Melbourne
Best Commercial Deal
Defence Sciences and Technology Group
People’s Choice Award
Swinburne University of Technology
Awards Judges
Topaz Conway, Accelerating Commercialisation
Chris Farquhar, Aureae Portae
Rhona Knox, Proctor & Gamble
Erol Harvey, MiniFab
Susan Oliver, Scale Investors
2014 KCA Awards
Proudly sponsored by Wrays IP and gemaker
Best Creative Engagement Strategy
UniQuest
Best Commercial Deal
Griffith Enterprise
People’s Choice Award
Swinburne University of Technology
Awards Judges
Erol Harvey, MiniFab
Debbie Bullock, Boeing Defence Australia
