Following La Trobe University's recent agreement with innovation platform Plug and Play, three La Trobe University spin-outs will be accessing the Plug and Play GOAL (Global Overseas Acceleration & Learning) program.
Running from 12 October to 6 November, the program aims to accelerate start-up growth by bridging the gap between participants’ local ecosystems and global markets.
The La Trobe University spin-outs are developing innovative, patented technologies with the potential to improve health outcomes, promote equitable access to healthcare, and generate economic value:
- AlleSense - a medtech start-up transforming cancer detection through NanoMslide, a nanofabricated microscope slide developed by Professor Brian Abbey and Dr Eugeniu Balaur.
- Excelligent – a blood-based diagnostic platform co-founded by Associate Professor Dr Lesley Cheng and Professor Andrew Hill, for early detection of neurodegenerative diseases years before symptoms appear.
- Eolas DX - start-up co-founded by Professor Conor Hogan and Dr Saimon Moraes Silva, developing a smartphone-based platform for faster, cheaper and more accessible molecular testing.
Access to the Plug and Play program is facilitated through La Trobe’s Eagleworks Innovation Centre which provides targeted start-up support including pre-seed investment through its Eagle Fund in partnership with Innovation Victoria.
La Trobe Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Chris Pakes said that university proudly demonstrates an ongoing commitment to supporting researchers to translate their discoveries into solutions with tangible community and economic benefits.
“La Trobe University is committed to championing research teams, supporting spin-outs like AlleSense, Excelligent, and Eolas Dx as they transform groundbreaking research into products, services, and technologies that create value beyond the university,” Professor Pakes said.
"By being able to partner with organisations like Plug and Play and have our spin-outs selected for the GOAL Program, it demonstrates how important and life-changing the work of Australian research is, and how those benefits and innovations can be translated to a global audience."
At the conclusion of the GOAL Program, Allesense, Excelligent and Eloas DX will pitch to potential venture groups and potential investors at the Plug and Play November Summit 2026.
Eagleworks Innovation Centre
Eagleworks is a gateway for innovators, providing access to partnerships, co-location opportunities, world-class facilities, new technologies, entrepreneurial programs, incubators, accelerators and La Trobe’s research expertise. Connect with us on industry.engagement@latrobe.edu.au and explore the opportunities.
