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Professor Browne was immensely humbled at the announcement, and noted that all of the pitches showcased outstanding ideas that could form great businesses.

“Excolo! opens up pathways to develop the active stroke rehabilitation orthotic that were previously shut so it can make a real difference to people's lives.  With QUT's support, funding and expertise, this device will go from sitting in a filing cabinet to being ready for advanced trials with people affected by stroke, occupational therapists and rehabilitation technology providers."

QUT Excolo! is a pitching competition delivered by QUT’s Office of Industry Engagement where QUT research teams are matched with a commercialisation coach, and participate in pitching workshops in collaboration with QUT Entrepreneurship.  The Grand Final sees research teams pitch their commercially viable idea, product or service to an expert panel of investors, inventors and commercialisation specialists. With a focus on addressing real-world problems, solutions and implementation pathways, the competition highlights the impact that QUT research has when translated to real world outcomes.

An external panel of industry experts evaluated the pitches and innovations presented by the research teams.

Alejandra Romero (Investment Manager, Main Sequence) helps build and invest in deep-tech ventures tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges, with a focus on early-stage research commercialisation, manufacturing scale-up and advanced computing technologies.

Gavin Keeley (Circle Leader ANZ, Circle Leadership Global) is a global technologist and innovation leader, Gavin has helped build startup ecosystems across continents, playing a key role in shaping Queensland’s innovation community through initiatives like Silicon Coast and FWD Fest.

Dr Grant Woollett (Director, Quantum & Advanced Technologies, DETSI) leads Queensland’s quantum and advanced technologies strategy, supporting commercialisation and industry growth across quantum biotech, photonics and next-generation semiconductor systems.
Six teams pitched their ideas on Thursday night, showcasing a wide variety of research expertise and translation to impact.

Other finalist teams and results were:

• WineSense (Runner Up) – Unique sensors that detect smoke taint in grapes before wine production.
• OsteoCraft - Design. Print. Regenerate (People’s Choice) – 3D printing software solution to reduce costs and improve treatment times for patients with large bone defects.
• ReForm Plastics – From Bumper Bars to Building Blocks aims to convert overlooked waste into standards-aligned masonry products.
• SynthX – working to improve outcomes for patients with diabetic foot ulcers.
• Guardrail: Privacy-Enhanced Smart Wallet seeks to make privacy the default in digital financial transactions.

The Runner Up and People’s Choice winners will also have their projects assessed for investment through the Industry Engagement Fund.

The three remaining finalists, along with three additional research teams who completed the program, will each receive $5,000 towards their projects in recognition of their commitment and the progress they’ve made in advancing their projects toward commercialisation.

QUT Excolo! is hosted by Dr Erin Rayment, Chief Commercialisation and Development Officer.  Now in its  fourth year, Dr Rayment commented on the growth of the program and dedication of the teams this year, which was evident in high quality pitches.

"Every year, Excolo! demonstrates how QUT research can transform ideas into real solutions for our community. It’s inspiring to see these teams take their innovations from the lab to the world, and I look forward to seeing the impact they’ll make in the years ahead,” said Dr Rayment.

Featured image credit: Professor Will Browne and Deon de Saldanha (Coach), Champion pitch for 'ASTRO: Upper Arm Stroke Rehabilitation Orthotic.'