With an investment of $7.5 million, the fellowship aims to strengthen the link between research and industry across Victoria. Over the coming years, the program is expected to help establish around new companies and create new jobs.
According to Breakthrough Victoria, each selected fellow’s startup will receive up to $150,000 in funding to advance their research towards commercialization.
Speaking to SBS Urdu, Breakthrough Victoria Fellowship Program representative Mr. Kanva Patel described the initiative as “a significant step towards connecting innovation with practical outcomes in Victoria.”
He explained that the journey from research to business is often complex — and that this fellowship provides researchers with mentorship, investment, and technical support to navigate that path successfully.
Among the inaugural fellows is Noor Karishma Sheik, a research fellow at the University of Melbourne. She is developing an AI-powered camera capable of diagnosing skin cancer without the need for a biopsy. Her startup, DeepDerm, combines astronomical-grade imaging with artificial intelligence to make early detection faster, more affordable, and more accessible — particularly for rural and underserved communities.
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