On Thursday 19 March 2026, the Eagleworks Innovation Centre at La Trobe University officially opened its doors.
The launch was marked by Eagleworks LIVE, a high-energy multi-session afternoon, that brought together over 280 industry professionals, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs to explore the incredible power of partnerships and innovation.
Dr Megan Fisher, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Industry Engagement, acted as the event's MC and opened the afternoon. She was followed by Professor Theo Farell, Vice-Chancellor and President of La Trobe University.
“Eagleworks is all about supporting the development of ideas to have an impact," said Dr Fisher. "Ideas from our researchers, students, industry, or members of our community. As we know, this translation of ideas does not happen in silos... Eagleworks is about creating the connections and the programs to support innovation.”
An Ecosystem of Opportunity
What makes this innovation centre game-changing is not the physical building itself, but the vibrant ecosystem that surrounds and animates it. To demonstrate this dynamic environment, the event featured activities across multiple levels of the centre, offering something valuable for everyone:
- Over 15 speakers across three themed sessions
- More than 15 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge ideas and hands-on technology activations within the Digital Innovation Hub
- A Start-Up Alley featuring student talent and brilliant entrepreneurial showcases
- Valuable networking opportunities with innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.
Startup Alley and Tech Zone contributors, alongside Eagleworks LIVE exhibitors included Optus chair of Digital Health Professor Nilmini Wickramasinghe and her team showcasing Digital Twin demonstrations, Broadwick Connect, Brain-Stem AI, semi‑autonomous drones, Engineering team demonstrations, Aspect Labs, Google Developer Group, AI & Computer Vision, Digiville, FinWhiz, Hivekeepers, BinStalk, A Moment With, Research Platforms, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, MOBIUS, Care Economy CRC, and La Trobe Talent.
Eagleworks LIVE also featured three themed sessions focused on the power of partnerships, the impact of innovation investment, and the entrepreneurial talent shaping our future.
The Power of Co-Creation
The first session highlighted the critical role of co-creation and co-location within innovation ecosystems. Panellists shared how active collaboration accelerates problem-solving, challenges thinking and drives commercial success. Featured speakers included Dr. Sarah Herridge (BioNTech SE), Bruce Esplin AM (Broadwick Connect), Sylvaine White (Cisco), and Elle Phillips (LaunchVic).
Investing in Breakthroughs
The second session spotlighted the $18 million Eagle Fund, La Trobe’s investment scheme for high-potential research and ventures. This fund was made possible through a collaboration with Breakthrough Victoria.
University Chancellor, the Hon. John Brumby AO, and Rod Bristow, CEO of Breakthrough Victoria, explained how the fund actively drives innovation and supports emerging technologies – and emphasised the importance of Research and Development as the “engine room” for innovation.
Championing Female Founders
Following the investment discussion, the Female Founders Panel explored the impressive achievements of leading women in tech and science. The panel featured Dr Lesley Cheng (Investor, Co-Founder, and CEO of Excelligent Dx), Professor Begoña Heras (Co-Founder and CEO of BioBreak Therapeutics), and Emeritus Professor Marilyn Anderson (Co-Founder of Deftbiotech).
It was an especially significant day for Deftbiotech, with the announcement that the company has secured a $1M investment from the La Trobe Eagle Fund to accelerate the development of “Pezadeftide,” its groundbreaking antifungal drug.
Sparking the Next Wave of Entrepreneurs
The total value of Victoria’s startup ecosystem now sits at $134.3 billion and counting. To address how we spark the next wave of innovators, the final session brought Nadun Hennayaka of YieldX to the stage, and a panel of passionate founders and industry collaborators.
Mr Hennayaka shared his journey from an early concept to connecting with the La Trobe ecosystem to create a real-world impact. He unpacked key lessons, startup challenges, and the unique possibilities created by university-backed innovation.
YieldX’s innovative hydroponic system was originally engineered for NASA’s deep‑space food program, with researchers from La Trobe’s School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences and School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, helping transform the concept into a working technology. The La Trobe Eagle Fund now supports its development and commercialisation, alongside seed investment from Mandalay Venture Partners and LaunchVic’s Hugh Victor McKay Fund. YieldX recently opened a 4,000‑square‑metre protected‑cropping greenhouse at Butler Market Gardens in Lyndhurst, Victoria. The commercial pilot has demonstrated intelligent optimisation of plant spacing and, when deployed across the full site, is projected to boost basil production by up to one million plants per year within the same footprint.
Candid Insights from the Frontlines
The founder spotlight moved into a Fireside Chat, offering quick, candid insights from company collaborators, founders, and student startups. These founders have built, scaled, and collaborated through La Trobe’s dedicated entrepreneurship programs.
The chat featured Devini Goonetilleke (FinWhiz Pty Ltd), student entrepreneur Arian Zahir (Binstalk), and Ella Jackson (ServiceNow). Omkar Babu of Hornet Biologicals Pvt Ltd also joined via a pre-recorded video. Mr Babu's participation in the University’s Ind-Aus Launchpad (now Catalyst) program helped him connect with investors and successfully launch his agricultural startup.
Turning Ideas into Action
Throughout the event, attendees were able to gain insight into how the centre supports research translation, prototyping, and venture growth – and what it could provide for their own pathways and ideas. The guided tours of the Startup Alley and Tech Zones offered an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the options available to turn bold ideas into tangible action.
Eagleworks LIVE was much more than just a launch moment, it was a celebration of what becomes possible when partnerships spark and innovation accelerates. As Dr Fisher noted, Eagleworks serves as a vital destination where industry and university intersect. It is a dedicated space where students, researchers, and entrepreneurs can seamlessly connect, create, and commercialise.
With its world-class facilities, collaborative networks, and ambitious vision, Eagleworks is poised to remain at the forefront of innovation, driving real solutions to tackle complex global challenges.
Learn More: Eagleworks Innovation Centre or contact Industry Engagement on industry.engagement@latrobe.edu.au
