University Equity in Spinouts: Burden or Competitive Edge?
Register your interest today. Approval Required.
Co-hosts: Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE), UNSW Barker Street Ventures & UNSW New Ventures.
Event Details
University equity in spinouts is one of the most debated and least openly discussed topics in the DeepTech ecosystem. Founders worry about cap table optics. Investors scrutinise ownership structures before writing a cheque. And universities are left defending stakes that, from the outside, can look like a tax on innovation rather than a bet on it.
But is that perception accurate? And if not, what's the real story?
This event brings together founders, investors, and university stakeholders for an honest, unfiltered conversation about how university equity actually works, the frustrations, the genuine value, and what a more transparent, founder-aligned model could look like.
We'll be exploring:
How equity stakes are structured and the reasoning behind university ownership positions
What the negotiation process actually looks like from the founder's side
How investors read university ownership when evaluating a deal
How the university–startup relationship evolves from lab to Series A and beyond
What best practice looks like in spinout models that work for everyone at the table
Agenda
5:30PM: Doors open, light networking
6:00PM: Panel Discussion between Investor, UNSW and Spinout founders from the TRaCE ecosystem
7:00PM: Networking till close
Our Hosts & Guests:
MC: Kylie Frazer - Investor in Residence @ UNSW
Investor: Charlie Ill - CEO @ Investible
Founder Panel:
Bram Hoex - P2AgentX
Priyank Kumar - ZenQuo
Josh Leverett - OzAmmonia
About
Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) (Website)
TRaCE is a collaborative initiative between UNSW and the University of Newcastle, backed by the Australian Government, to accelerate Australia’s net zero transition by turning world-class clean energy and circular economy research into commercial reality.
By connecting industry with investment, engineering expertise, advanced manufacturing capability, and R&D capability, TRaCE helps climate technologies bridge the gap between the lab and the market.
Barker Street Ventures (Website)
Barker Street Ventures is an investment platform giving sophisticated investors to access DeepTech spinouts and UNSW research. Most people never get the chance to invest early in Australia's best research. We're here to change that.
Flying Fox Ventures (Website)
Early-stage capital propelling Australian and New Zealand companies onto the global stage.
Investible (Website)
Investible is an early-stage venture capital firm backing visionaries advancing humanity through technology. Founded in 2014 with offices in Sydney and Singapore, Investible connects breakthrough companies with the capital, expertise, and networks they need to scale globally, with VC funds co-investing alongside Club Investible, its active global investor syndicate.
P2AgentX (Website)
P2AgentX simplifies and optimises renewable energy asset management through AI and robotics.
ZenQuo (Website)
ZenQuo is developing a fully recyclable battery technology using abundant, non-toxic electrode materials and an aqueous saltwater electrolyte, delivering a sustainable energy storage solution for a net zero future.
OzAmmonia (Website)
OzAmmonia is revolutionising green ammonia production by closing the NOx loop, unlocking a zero-emissions pathway for fertilisers, fuels, and beyond.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to [email protected]