Before I go, let me tell you a story…

By Dr. Paul John Michael Mignone

It was late 2013, and I was invited to David Flanders’ house to discuss this new ‘researcher training initiative’ that ITS Research (now known as Research Platforms) was starting. I had met David the year before at a 3D Printing build party, and had helped him run a University-wide build party in early 2013. Aside from being one of the coolest, most dynamic people I had ever met, David had (and continues to have) the fantastic vision of building a community of researchers that were proficient in data science tools, and were able support researchers to do better quality, reproducible research.

image

In The Beginning: The Pre-ResBaz 3D Printing Build Party!

At this point in time, I was at an ‘interesting’ stage in my PhD/life (same thing back then ;-). My PhD was facing some difficulties (to put it mildly), and I was running out of funding. At the same time, I was trying to setup my own initiative to get CAD training integrated into the engineering curriculum at Unimelb (with little success). Having been in the private sector before returning to academia, I felt the engineering students at Unimelb were at a disadvantage by not having basic CAD skills, especially in a tough job market where employers can be ‘picky’ with candidates.

image

PhD: Mission Accomplished!

Therefore it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that I said YES when David offered me the job to teach CAD as part of this ‘Research Bazaar’ initiative. For me it was an opportunity to teach engineering students and researchers relevant technical skills, while earning some money to finish my PhD (and cover my mortgage!). Back then we started with only six people: Me, Dejan, Steve, Damien, Katie and Grischa. Nearly three years later, I honestly did not expect to see ResBaz where it is now.

image

What did ResBaz achieve in under 3 years? Look above…

The journey I’ve shared with ResBaz has been incredibly exciting and highly rewarding. I no longer see CAD as a tool for just designing and 3D printing ‘stuff’, but as a tool to create, manipulate and enrich 3D data. For me, CAD is a tool that is part of the great chain that is data science, and has the potential to be used far more effectively when combined with a dedicated research community, and other data science tools. As ResBaz grew in size (about 30 staff today), I had the opportunity to develop new professional skills by mentoring, leading and managing a team of brilliant individuals (Aliza, Louise and Vincent) under the #Cadventure stream. Today this team, now under the leadership of Dr. Louise Van Der Werff provides community, expertise and training around tools that create, manipulate and enrich 3D data.

image

#Cadventure: An amazing team to lead!

ResBaz also provided me with the opportunity to work with a phenomenal group of people. People that were friendly, hard working, frighteningly talented and incredibly passionate about data science tools and their fields of research. A group of people that I count among my good friends today. As I head off overseas to do a postdoc, I realised that very few us in our careers will get the opportunity to work for an organisation where you get to build something from scratch. Something that you’re passionate about, and something that will change the way things are done for the better. To have the opportunity to build #Cadventure at ResBaz was a privilege, and something I will never forget. I would like to thank David, Steven, Nicole and all of the Research Platforms staff (current and former) for making ResBaz the amazing organisation it is today.

image

#ResBaz: A phenomenal group of people!

For those interested in seeing my ResBaz story in the blogosphere, you can catch my work here: http://melbourne.resbaz.edu.au/tagged/paul 

If you would like to stay in touch, you can reach me on twitter or my new blog, where I will continue my outreach efforts: https://paulmignone.wordpress.com

As I set towards Ithaca once again, I thank the entire ResBaz community for an amazing adventure :-)

This is Dr. Paul John Michael Mignone, signing off…

image

From ResBaz to ResBaz: A Glorious Year for 3D Data!

By Paul Mignone

image

Me and Cadventure!

The creation, manipulation and enrichment of 3D data are still fledging spaces in the data science field. However with only a small team, the Cadventure stream at ResBaz has made great strides in building research communities around 3D data tools. Looking back over the past 12 months, I’m truly in awe of what my team achieved in such a short time. Let’s look back on the Cadventure team’s achievements:

  • At ResBaz 2015, I successfully launched a pilot initiative in partnership with Nvidia for students to access graphically intensive CAD software in the cloud. The pilot was highly successful, and has given Research Platform Services valuable information for future ‘Cad in the Cloud’ rollouts in 2016 and beyond.
  • Our most recent hire, Vincent Khau, is now our resident 3D printing and lightweight CAD guru, offering courses in TinkerCAD and Autodesk Fusion 360. Vincent has been hugely successful in engaging Unimelb’s Victorian College of the Arts, offering regular lightweight CAD courses at VCA, as well as engaging them in various research projects.
  • Due to the huge demand and interest in 3D printing over the last few years, The University of Melbourne’s 3D printing showcase was held for the third time at Wilson’s Hall. The massive building was barely large enough for the huge turnout at the 3D printing showcase, which saw over 3000 attendees over a single weekend.  The showcase displayed the latest 3D printing technology, race car challenges, hackathons, community makerspaces, as well as lives lectures and interviews.
image

So many achievements…so little time…

Bear in mind ladies and gentlemen, these achievements were all done before the 2016 Research Bazaar conference. By the time the Cadventurers reached ResBaz 2016 they were full steam ahead:

  • Aliza and her helpers successfully ran the Autodesk Inventor stream, which is now a community 400% bigger in size, and with far greater gender representation.
  • The ResBaz Partnership with Carlton Connect continues to grow in 2016. We now have a residence at their Lab-14 innovation precinct, and plan to run more joint events in the near future. Carlton Connect also made an appearance at ResBaz 2016, advising researchers on avenues to commercialise their research.

Looking back, I’m amazed by the number of wins my team has achieved over the last 12 months. I personally couldn’t be more proud! With Louise Van Der Werff taking the helm in April 2016, I have full confidence that the Cadventure team will continue to build the 3D data community, and bring it to the forefront of data science!

image

We are part of something bigger…

The Melbourne Accelerator Program comes to ResBaz!

By Xue Qian and Paul Mignone

Hi everyone! My name is Xue, and I’m a development coordinator  for the Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP). MAP is an entrepreneurship program at the University of Melbourne. In the four years since it was established, MAP has received international recognition for the quality and impact of its program. In November 2015, it was ranked the 8th best university accelerator in the world by UBI index, 2nd in the Asia-Pacific region, and Number 1 in Australia.

I’m passionate about future technology and entrepreneurship. As a development coordinator, I work closely with the entire MAP team to manage, promote and execute many entrepreneurship events. Prior to MAP, I worked in e-commerce, and ran a Student Entrepreneurs organisation. I’ve also recently completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne.

Last month, I was invited to attend the 2016 Research Bazaar conference to discuss with researchers the potential of commercialisation and start-ups as a career path. Given their large community base, expertise in data science tools and fantastic research translation workshops (i.e., #SharksDen), I believe that the Research Bazaar is perfectly placed to unveil some of Australia’s best talent and ideas for commercialisation.

image

Me (second from the left) listening to some amazing researchers!

I wasn’t disappointed. After talking to many researchers at the event, not only did I hear some fantastic ideas, I quickly realised that few researchers were aware of their commercialisation potential. Fewer researchers were aware of platforms that could help them commercialise their research. I endeavour to change this, and I would like to use this opportunity to introduce our premier entrepreneurship program that can transform researcher ideas into reality.

So I call to you all researchers and aspiring entrepreneurs!

The MAP program beings again for 2016! Our information night will reveal the nuts and bolts of the application process and other opportunities for aspiring researchers and entrepreneurs.

Tickets are available here: http://bit.ly/1QRLRAF

Our first Start-up Velocity class is also coming up, if you have an idea but don’t know where to start, this program is for you!

Register here: http://bit.ly/21XKiYM

MAP’s vision is to launch great ventures which positively transform the world. The MAP Start-up Accelerator awards 8 start-ups with $20,000 funding, office space, mentoring, and opportunities to pitch in Melbourne, Sydney and Silicon Valley. 24 companies have graduated from the MAP Start-up Accelerator and between them have raised $10 million in funding, created over 200 jobs and generated over $10 million in revenue.

We hope to see you there!

My ResBaz CADdventure

Guest post by engineering student Mr.Tony Zahtila. Tony is now employed by Veolia thanks to his ResBaz experience.

Hi! I’m Tony and I was a part of the ResBaz CAD teaching team for 2015.

The CAD skills I learnt as a part of the program have since been helpful in creating virtual constructions of the work I do. The best part of using CAD in my work, it’s how cheap my mistakes have become. Sketching up my work and creating a 3D model allows me to visualise what I’m trying to build in the workshop. If I’ve miscalculated a length, or overlooked a geometry, I just change the design specs and I’m ready to build. A nice short-cut to the laborious task of finding what I’ve ordered doesn’t actually assemble. 

image

The software is far-reaching and I can see applications for CAD skills in many fields. If engineers are to become digital blacksmiths, doctors can become digital plumbers. Organs can go flying around on the monitors of health professionals, all towards a better understanding of our bodies, or a doctor’s slightly-alarming idea of fun.. 3D models of the human body would allow for an alternative to the difficult to obtain cadavers with exploded views of our bodies, as well as clarity, versatility, and interaction that’s just not possible with the traditional textbook.

There’s many variations of CAD software and the form it finds itself in use with engineers is not necessarily what the software will look like to other professionals. Pulling and stretching apart, dividing into blocks, sculpting towards roundness, and smoothing coarse materials to see their altered appearance, all of these things can be achieved with CAD software as the focal point.

image

I believe that the way of the future is interaction between until-now disjointed fields. The distinct lines between medicine, engineering, law, commerce, art, carpentry, and so on, they’ll blur. Communication between the fields will continue to grow as an integral skill. It’s not compulsory that you have an interest in becoming a CAD expert to gain from the course. Knowing the fundamentals will put you in good stead to clearly communicate with a CAD professional who can advance your work. An artist could have a realistic expectation and understanding as to the how their aesthetic piece could be re-worked into a digital symphony of polygons. The possibilities for experimentation are there and very accessible.

The ResBaz team are very friendly and it’s as much a sharpening of CAD skills for students as it is a festival of ideas between people who see the world with different lenses. I was challenged when I heard a visual artist, who had been taking the course and exchanging ideas as part of the group, ask whether it would be possible to ‘pull out’ a corner of a model. To visualise what was being described, imagine pinching some Playdoh and tugging on it to see how it stretches. I’d never thought of this in my exact and neat world of CAD use, I’d hitherto seen CAD as more of a program for making machine recipes.

image

ResBaz is a fun and engaging environment. People are very friendly and I was able to get along with all the smiling faces and people who were excited to share their own work and to learn from others. I’d highly recommend the CAD course to both people who want to develop their skills into a powerful technique to add to their repertoire, as well as, people who want to understand the basics so they are aware and able to work in a team with CAD professionals.

Shark’s Den Live Hack: Part 3 of 3

By Vincent Khau

Final day of Shark’s Den and that only means one thing; finish off your prototypes because it’s pitch time! So as soon as the doors opened for the 3D Printing Showcase, final product iterations were put on to print, whilst simultaneously rehearsing pitch presentations. All contestants were excitedly anticipating pitching their ideas in front of a panel of investors; and with a panel so prestigious who wouldn’t be nervous! The task of picking a winner for Shark’s Den was given to Prof. Iven Mareels (Dean of the Melbourne School of Engineering), Dr Charlie Day (Director of Carlton Connect), Dr Fiona Tweedie, David Guttmann (Director of Strategic Alliances) and A/Prof Colin McLeod; and after seeing the quality of all the teams, this was no easy task!

The MakeCreate team kicked things off with their solution to the endless mounds of drink bottles amassing in rubbish dumps; recycle them into a drone! With the ingenious idea of mounting the electronics inside a water bottle, consumers will be able to buy and create a waterproof drone for less than $500, beating the price point of many drones on the market. 

Following the BottleDrone, we had the Freelance team presenting their idea for a solar powered lamp, harnessing the power of sunlight and storing it later use; a product that I’m sure will be popular with the energy conscious generation!

SelfHealth was next to pitch, presenting an alternative to current cervical cancer testing methods. The kit is designed to be used at home and operated by the user, removing the uncomfortable and awkward appointments that may put women off the testing procedure. Next step? Consult with medical professionals and gynaecologists!

Kutting Edge developed new hygienic kitchen products that could be used in both commercial, and home kitchens. An easily removable sink design that allows for scrap disposal, and a knife rack that dries your knives once inserted? Yes please!

Last to pitch was Access Electronics. Their product was to create a device that behaves like a 3D printer, but produces custom PCBs for household use! Handy! This would facilitate easier and more widespread education on electronics, as well as potential business development opportunities.

As much as we’d like to award all teams for their inspiring and creative innovations, there can only be one winner. After careful consideration and much deliberation, the judges reached an unanimous decision so congratulations to SelfHealth for coming up with a fantastic innovation addressing an issue affecting women both locally and beyond.

Shortly after the end of Shark’s Den, Dr Charlie Day gave the closing keynote of the 3D Printing Showcase, highlighting the embodiment of both the Showcase and Shark’s Den; innovation is about fresh thinking and creating value. What a wonderful and fitting conclusion to what has been a fantastic, fun-filled, and enlightening event. A big shout out and thanks to Paul Mignone, whose efforts have made this Shark’s Den possible; it wouldn’t have happened without him, so cheers for organising it! Well, until the next Shark’s Den, that’s it folks! Keep an eye out for the next chance to be a part of this event, where we teach you the skills to rapidly design, prototype, and pitch your ideas to investors!

Check out what happened on Day 1 and Day 2 of Shark’s Den!

Shark’s Den Live Hack: Part 2 of 3

By Vincent Khau

Day 2 of Shark’s Den kicked off with a much hustle and bustle as the teams came in to collect their prints from the night before. After inspecting the first iteration of their product, teams quickly made changes and set the Makerbots to keep on printing further developments of their innovations. With the power of 3D printing, teams were able to rapidly prototype their product; look at how many design iterations one team were able to go through in just one day!

Catch up on the Day 1 events here and check out my Day 3 blog post to find out what innovations the teams came up with! Spoiler alert, we’ve got drones, medical equipment, homeware, and technical innovations!

Shark’s Den Live Hack: Part 1 of 3

by Vincent Khau

After a long day setting up Wilson Hall for the 3D Printing Showcase, the space for Shark’s Den was finally ready for the teams to start their live hack. With their brand new Makerbot 3D printers all ready to go, the participants were excited to begin their rapid prototyping phase of their project, which kicked off immediately after the sponsor drinks. First, Trent from SCANN3D gave all the contestants tips on how to pitch to a panel of investors, based off his successful experience in the Melbourne Accelerator Program.


After the presentation, the teams almost instantly jumped onto the 3D printers, walking back and forth checking on progress whilst also working on the pitch for their product. Come say hi up on the main stage of Wilson Hall during the 3D Printing Showcase to find out more about what they are developing! Stay tuned for more updates!

 

�

#SharksDen Day 3: Maker’s Make Their Mark

by Paul Mignone

With the #SharksDen attendees now proficient in TinkerCAD, the penultimate SharksDen class focused on translating their ideas into tangible 3D products. In this class, students learned how to use the MakerBot Replicator, and how to convert their 3D model into a printed object.

Research Community Coordinator, businesswoman and medical image processing expert, Dr. Louise Van Der Werff spent and hour demonstrating the MakerBot replicator to the attendees. In that time she taught them how the printers work, printing materials, support structures and many other topics.

What amazed me about the MakerBot replicator was its ease of use. This allows users to focus more on their designs and less on ‘getting the print right’, which is very important in the early innovation stages. This will be very handy during the #SharksDen live hack, as the winning team will need to use second if they are to prevail. Make no mistake, the lead up to the #SharksDen live hack has been exciting, and it’s now caught the attention of MakerBot.

No pressure at all…right?

#SharksDen Day 2: A Day of Design

by Paul Mignone

With four teams set up and ready to go, day 2 of #SharksDen was held in the 3D printing lab of the University of Melbourne’s Engineering Workshop. Vincent Khau, ResBaz’s very own design maestro, kicked off day 2 by giving a crash course to attendees in computer-aided design (CAD) using the software known as Tinkercad. HTML browser-based and easy to use, it didn’t take long for the #SharksDen attendees to start designing their game-changing products.

During this CAD lesson, Vincent performed his ‘tried-but-true’ start-up charades workshop. The workshop brought together the CEO and CMO to look at a picture. The CEO/CMO then had to describe the picture to their CTO, who would then design it in TinkerCAD. The reasoning behind this exercise was to demonstrate the importance of good communication in a team, as well as to highlight the challenges of conveying complex ideas to other team members.

For the second half of day 2, teams continued to work on their product ideas and were challenged to give a three minute pitch by the end of the session. While not compulsory, it was exciting to see all the teams design products that address the millennium project challenges. With still two weeks to go until the 3D printing showcase, one team had already designed a 3D concept for a low cost water filtration system for developing nations!

The four teams pitched their ideas at the end of the day. Some teams used Google presentation, while other teams went for butcher’s paper to present their initial designs. All four teams had to be cut-short as they went over time. This experience gave them all an appreciation for being concise in start-up presentations. Day 2 was definitely a day of hard lessons for the #SharksDen attendees, but it will serve them well at the 3D printing showcase two weeks from now.

#SharksDen Day 1: The Road to (Product) Realisation Begins!

by Paul Mignone

After our hugely successful inaugural SharksDen Innovation Challenge in July, the adventure started again this week on September 16th. Four teams will once again work towards developing products to present to an investor panel on the last day of the 3D printing showcase on October 10th. Before that date, these teams will learn how to design using CAD, 3D printing techniques, as well as work on their project live at the Showcase!

The event started off as a networking session, where individuals enjoyed drinks and nibbles as they got to know each other. There was also a strong turn-out from Girl Geek Academy, Make-Create as well as a number of UX specialists from general assembly. Such a diverse and potent mix of talent can only result in some fantastic products being made by the end of #SharksDen!

In the team building exercise, individuals discussed their strengths and whether they saw themselves fitting into CEO, CTO, CFO, or CMO roles. The participants who gave the best ‘first impressions’ were then nominated as CEOs, and the teams were picked for the upcoming weeks. The teams were then confronted with the ‘infamous’ challenge of redesigning the door. Each team came up various door designs and had to pitch it to the rest of the groups.

The biggest change to the second iteration of #SharksDen will be that teams are encouraged to ‘dream big’, and to develop products that address one of the global challenges facing humanity outlined in the millennium project. With such a strong showing of talent on only day 1 of this event, I’m personally excited to see what these teams can come up with when they dream big!

Blog Awards: August/September (17/09/2015)

1. “#SharksDen returns live at the 3D Printing Showcase!” by Paul Mignone
Paul introduces the return of #SharksDen, our widely popular entrepreneurial innovation challenge where teams learn how to 3D model, print & pitch 3D tech ideas to a panel of ‘sharks’. Read the review of our last SharksDen here. This time round, teams will be pitching their products at the (free) 2015 3D Printing Showcase (Oct 9&10) - register here!

2. “Data, Data Everywhere…” by Ewan Nurse
Guest blogger, Ewan, shows how MATLAB’s parallel computing can be used to do your research faster and better! He uses an example from a recently published paper in PLoS. Read the research here. 

3. “#HealthHack Science Day at the MCRI” by Louise van der Werff
Louise shares her experience touring the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute - looking primarily at genetic disorder research, genome sequencing and gene therapies! 

#SharksDen and 3D Printing standout at #NexHack!

by Paul Mignone 

The Internet of Things, (i.e., the network connectivity of physical objects) has had a massive impact on the world, and continues to grow at a phenomenal rate (estimated to be in 28 billion devices by 2020 and over 50 billion by 2025). Therefore it’s no surprise that students and academics are keen to engage and utilise Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for their educational, career and research potential.

Nexpaq, a company specialising in modular smartphone cases, have massive plans to democratise the IoT movement. They have released a Module Development Kit (MDK), containing the open hardware and software required for individuals to create customised modules for IoT applications beyond smart phones. They also released the CAD files of their modules, allowing users to quickly modify and rapid-prototype new and innovative IoT modules. 

Last week, over 90 students and researchers came together at #Nexhack, Nexpaq’s inaugural hackathon at the University of Melbourne. Ten teams were given MDKs, pizzas, Red Bulls and 2.5 days to construct a module and pitch it to a panel of investors. I also had the opportunity to run two 3D printing workshops for the teams. 

During these workshops, I taught groups how to work with Nexpaq’s CAD files, basic 3D printing principles and basic TinkerCAD training. A big shout out to the team NexDirection, who managed to modify the Nexpaq breathalyser module into a 3D printed joystick module! This fantastic form of innovation was noted by the investor panel, and they were awarded with the 2nd place prize. Congratulations to Michelle Mannering (Carlton Connect) and the Nexpaq team on running a fantastic event!

From telemetry systems for drones, to low power m2m radios, I was amazed by the scale of innovation shown by the #Nexhack attendees in only a couple of days. With the next #SharksDen and 3D printing showcase only around the corner, UniMelb researchers continue to show their capacity to translate their research skills into innovative products!

#SharksDen returns live at the 3D Printing Showcase!

by Paul Mignone

Back by popular demand!

Research Platforms will again be running the #SharksDen Innovation Challenge! This time the stakes are higher with the event running live at the 2015 3D Printing Showcase, and a prize to the value of AUD 1000 awarded to the winning team.  

Before the 3D printing showcase (September 16th - 30th), you will be taught the tools to build, design and 3D print your greatest invention. You will also learn techniques on how to pitch your innovative product to a panel of investors.

You and your team mates will need all these skills at the 3D Printing Showcase (October 8th - 10th), as you will continue working on your designs live during the event. Teams will then pitch their idea to a panel of investors at the showcase. The winner takes the prize and the glory!

#SharksDen is as much of a journey as it is a destination. You will have the opportunity to talk about your design, share your passion with like-minded people, network with professionals at the showcase and learn some valuable professional skills along the way.

The event will be running on the following dates and times:

Pre-Showcase Training

- Day 1 (Wednesday, September 16th, 5:30pm-10pm)

- Day 2 (Wednesday, September 23rd, 5:30pm-8:30pm)

- Day 3 (Wednesday, September 30th, 5:30pm-8:30pm)

3D Printing Showcase Live Hack!

- Day 4 (Thursday, October 8th, 5pm-10pm)

- Day 5 (Friday, October 9th, 9am-10pm)

- Day 6 (Saturday, October 10th, 9am-3pm)

- Click here for a detailed time table.

You will be put into teams on Day 1 of #SharksDen. Each team CEO, CTO, CFO and CMO. At the end of the showcase (October 10th), each team will make business presentations to a panel of investors for the prize. This event is a great opportunity for beginners to get involved and experts to improve their skills.

IMPORTANT! Please read before registering:

- Specific information about the event can be viewed here. Please read this before registering for the event.

- The Shark’s den will be held mainly the engineering workshop, therefore fully enclosed footwear must be worn at all times!

- Please ensure that you are available for all the dates and times listed above!

Please click here to register for the event!

http://go.unimelb.edu.au/7waa

#SharksDen Review: Showing researchers another way…

by Paul Mignone

It is considered tradition when submitting a PhD to provide a quote to sum up your research journey. On submitting my PhD a couple of months back, I used the following quote to summarise my nearly five year journey of discovery (and drama).

“One of the best lessons children learn through video games is standing still will get them killed quicker than anything else.”

- Jinx Milea

From working in engineering (both internationally and locally), to having my own business, pursuing a materials engineering PhD and working with Resbaz, Jinx’s words sum up my last ten years perfectly. In short, I haven’t stopped moving in my career. I’ve pursued new and interesting experiences that have made me both a better engineer and person. More importantly, these experiences have given me the skills and inspiration required to address the challenges facing Australian researchers today.

The inspiration for #SharksDen…

It is no secret that the current landscape for research (and research funding) is challenging for Australian researchers. Government expenditure on science and research in Australia (as a proportion of GDP) has fallen by more than a quarter since 1993. In addition, a recent National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) survey showed that only 17% of Australian researchers have ongoing employment. This challenge is even greater for early career researchers (ECRs), with the chance of securing an ARC grant for early career researchers (known as a DECRA) sitting at approximately 10%.

In such a competitive environment, ECRs will need to find new and innovative ways to secure research funding (e.g., private endowment, startup grants, Thinkable.org etc.). They’ll also need skills, training and an innovation community to adapt their research and skills in more commercial ways. In short, we need early career researchers to be a little more ‘Shark’, constantly moving and adapting to Australia’s research funding challenges.


Cue in #SharksDen… 

While the Research Bazaar has had many successes building research communities around programming languages, CAD and 3D Printing, I’m passionate about engaging researchers in a way where my skills and experiences in the private sector could be used to help them ‘future-proof’ their working careers. With the help of my (awesome) boss, David Flanders, ResBaz has created an innovation community for researchers, helping them find ways of ‘translating’ their research into valuable commercial products and services.

The #SharksDen is an innovation training program which brings early career researchers together with students, professional staff, entrepreneurs and private sector employees. Over five evenings spread out over the month of July, participants in the program did the following:

Day 1 - Team formation and idea generation techniques (Day 1 summary).

Day 2 - Learning 3D modelling and design with TinkerCAD (Day 2 summary).

Day 3 - Learning how to use 3D printers (Day 3 summary).

Day 4 - How to pitch for startup funding (Day 4 summary).

Day 5 - Teams presented their products to a professional panel (Day 5 summary).

The #SharksDen presentation evening at Carlton Connect…

By the time of the #SharksDen presentation evening had arrived on July 29th, there were four teams ready to pitch their innovative products to the panel:

  1. Artistic Instrument Designing Co., presenting their bespoke guitar components.
  2. Next Gen Cover, presenting their next generation, multi-function phone cases.
  3. Radiance, presenting their low-cost bike light.
  4. Fit’n’Click, presenting their bespoke computer mouse for esports and other emerging industries. 

The panel brought together a blend of experience in startups, 3D printing and 3D modelling, which consisted of the following members:

Mr. Rohan Workman: Director of the Melbourne Accelerator Program.

Mr. Matthew McKnight: Senior Technical and Design Specialist for Autodesk.

Ms. Grace Carey: Managing Director at Gynaecologic Pty Ltd.

Mr. Dinesh Kantheti: Designer of 3D printers and founder of 3inter.

A massive shout out to all four members for volunteering their time to be on the panel! Each team presented a four minute pitch to the panel, articulating the benefit and profitability of their products in the market. While competition was very tight, the winner was determined to be Fit’n’Click with their customised mouse design. A special mention goes out to the runner-up team, Radiance, for getting a working prototype up and running in only four weeks! A special thank also you to goes out Marcella, Dejan and Nicole for handling the media and catering at the #SharksDen presentation evening.

What the #SharksDen researchers say…

Despite being a voluntary program we were amazed how all four teams worked hard and passionately together to produce their final products. The quality of their designs and pitch presentations were well above our original expectations (a big shout out to Gil and Wen for helping out at the classes!).

Since the event, attendees (and teams) have expressed interest in working on their products further, with some planning to apply for the Melbourne Accelerator Program in 2016. The researchers who participated in #SharksDen also felt that their new skills and experiences would help them in their working careers.

Gene Venables, a research officer at the University of Melbourne said the following (link to the full guest article):

“It has changed the way I think about products I use, and I’m sure it will influence ideas that I conceive in the future…Over the five weeks I worked with a group of talented people from a variety of different backgrounds. I hope to foster further collaborations and I am excited to venture into deeper water with my new skills.”

Khalid Abdulla, a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne said the following (link to the full guest article):

“I feel that I have learned a lot from taking part in the challenge. In particular the different roles which need to be filled in a small startup company, the different requirements which need to be satisfied for a product to be novel and successful, and finally the importance of, and some handy hints for pitching. As a researcher it’s important to remember that doing the research is only part of the job, it is also necessary to communicate/sell the research, and I think the “pitching” training was useful for developing those skills. Most importantly…it was fun.”

What next for #SharksDen?

The next #SharksDen is planned to run during the 2015 3D Printing Showcase on October 9th-10th.

Stay tuned for details!

Best Experience Ever #SharksDen - A Reflection


Aliza Wajih

Yes we didn’t win, but it doesn’t mean it wasn’t one of my greatest team experiences ever! Shark’s Den gave me the opportunity to meet amazing people and taught me valuable start-up business lessons such as marketing, management, innovation and the most important of them all, the value of teamwork.

I had the opportunity to work with dedicated teams every Wednesday in July and it was inspiring to see such good work being done. Every team in every session had come up with innovative and unique ideas. Their passion and dedication was truly reflected in all of their work and despite being in a competition everyone mantained a supportive and creative environment.

At the end of every session I would usually have a chat with members of other teams and we would share our thoughts on our projects. Their constructive and positive feedback did not only help me understand different points of view but also helped me make better decisions.

Working with my own team, Team Next-Gen Phone Cover, was itself an excellent learning experience. The support, encouragement and passion of my team allowed me to get through times when, even as a CEO, I began to doubt our decisions. Chris, Guna, Ali and Katie put their heart and soul into finding the idea we were passionate about and bringing it to life. I could not have been prouder nor could I have wished for a better team. I would like to thank you all for all your efforts.

In addition I would like to thank Research Platforms, David Flanders, Paul Mignone and Vincent Khau for giving me the opportunity to participate in this challenge and all the other teams for being friendly and supportive. I would also like to Congratulate Team Fit n’ Click for winning. It was an honour to work with everyone.

Top