Ashton Jones
MLC and the University of Sydney have announced a new three-year partnership that will bring together industry expertise, research excellence and entrepreneurial talent to help accelerate innovation, support emerging founders and strengthen pathways from ideas to real-world impact.
The partnership will create opportunities for collaboration across entrepreneurship, commercialisation, retirement research and innovation, drawing on the strengths of both organisations to support the next generation of Australian innovators.
The first initiative to launch under the partnership is the Venture Mentoring Program, a new mentoring network designed to connect early-stage ventures emerging from the University with experienced mentors from industry, including senior leaders across MLC and its parent organisation, Insignia Financial, and the University’s alumni community.
Managed by the University of Sydney’s Sydney Knowledge Hub, the program will support researchers, founders and innovators as they navigate the journey from discovery and research through to commercialisation and growth.
The Venture Mentoring Program is based on the internationally recognised MIT Venture Mentoring Service model, which has been adopted by more than 130 organisations across 34 countries. MLC and University of Sydney an…
MLC Director of Customer Innovation, Ashton Jones, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping great ideas become successful, sustainable ventures.
“Australia has no shortage of brilliant ideas, talented researchers and ambitious founders. The challenge is often bridging the gap between innovation and real-world impact,” said Mr Jones.
“At MLC, we’ve spent more than a century helping Australians build confidence in their future. This partnership brings together two organisations that are passionate about innovation and helping people realise their potential. By combining the University of Sydney’s world-class research and entrepreneurial ecosystem with MLC’s expertise in innovation, strategy and long-term value creation, we can help more founders build sustainable ventures that create lasting impact.
“The Venture Mentoring Program is an exciting first step, but it’s only the beginning. Over the next three years we look forward to working together on a range of initiatives that support retirement research, innovation, entrepreneurship and capability building.”
University of Sydney’s Director of the Sydney Knowledge Hub, Imche Veiga, said the partnership would help strengthen support for researchers and founders seeking to translate ideas into practical outcomes.
“The University of Sydney is committed to ensuring our research and innovation delivers meaningful benefits for society,” said Ms Veiga. MLC and University of Sydney an…
“Through this partnership with MLC, researcher entrepreneurs will have access to necessary industry perspectives, mentorship from people who have been in their shoes, and networks that can help pave the path from technical discovery to real impact.
“Building a new venture is one of the hardest things people can choose to pursue. The Venture Mentoring Program provides a powerful opportunity to connect these emerging innovators with experienced mentors who can challenge, guide, and support them as they grow in their leadership.”
One venture highlighted during the launch of the Venture Mentoring Program was Armāitide Pharmaceuticals, a University of Sydney spin-out developing targeted therapies for triple-negative breast cancer.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Associate Professor Pegah Varamini, said mentorship had played a critical role throughout her research and commercialisation journey.
“The most effective mentors were those who listened carefully, asked difficult questions, challenged assumptions and helped me see opportunities that I might not have recognised on my own.
“As a founder, having access to people who understand commercialisation, investment, regulation and the realities of building a company can make an enormous difference.”
The partnership builds on an existing relationship between MLC and the University of Sydney, including MLC’s support of the Genesis startup accelerator program and the MLC Financial Clarity Prize in 2025, which recognised excellence in financial modelling and strategic planning among emerging founders.
Further initiatives under the three-year partnership will be announced over time.
