Barker Street Ventures will offer access to some of the high-potential companies commercialising UNSW research.
An Australia-first online digital platform will connect investors, including UNSW alumni and friends, with companies supported by UNSW that are developing world-leading technologies.
Barker Street Ventures offers investors early access to some of UNSW's breakthrough technologies across quantum computing, defence, energy transition, AI and life sciences. The platform launched this week at the UNSW Investor Showcase 2025, which gave leading investors insight into these exciting startups and spinouts.
The Barker Street Ventures platform, led by the New Ventures Team at UNSW, connects these deep-tech companies - all supported by investment from professional venture firms - to a select investor network to raise additional capital. The platform is operated by a third-party licensed financial services provider, which delivers a secure, all-in-one digital investment process that seamlessly integrates with Australian regulatory, accounting and tax requirements.
UNSW Pro Vice-Chancellor, Industry & Innovation, Professor Stephen Rodda, who will chair the advisory board for Barker Street Ventures, said the platform would further strengthen UNSW's position as a leading entrepreneurial university.
"UNSW is renowned for developing breakthrough technologies and scaling them into successful ventures," Prof. Rodda said. "Barker Street Ventures will elevate the profile of our spinout companies' important work, reinforcing UNSW's leadership in research commercialisation and entrepreneurship."
UNSW is recognised as the most entrepreneurial university in the country based on the number of new startups and spinout companies established from its technology. The University launched 12 new spinout companies in 2023, topping the table in the annual Survey of Commercialisation Outcomes from Public Research Report for the third consecutive year. The University was also recognised as one of the nation's top domestic patent filers in the latest Australian Intellectual Property Report.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said UNSW spinouts exemplified the University's Strategy: Progress for All in action.
"Spinouts play a vital role in translating groundbreaking UNSW research into real-world impact that improves lives," Prof. Brungs said. "UNSW has a thriving innovation ecosystem, and the launch of Barker Street Ventures will further empower UNSW spinouts to scale faster and reach breakthroughs sooner.
"From pioneering clean energy to revolutionising quantum technologies, UNSW and its spinouts are transforming the world and advancing progress for all."
UNSW's Chief Advancement Officer, Lindsay Robinson, acknowledged the potential of the new platform to foster stronger connections within the UNSW community.
"This initiative presents a new avenue for alumni to engage with innovation at UNSW," Ms Robinson said. "It's a meaningful way to explore how our community can connect through shared interests in entrepreneurship and make a lasting impact."
