La Trobe University Eagle Fund
$18M pre-seed fund from La Trobe University and Breakthrough Victoria investing in university research
The Eagle Fund will invest and drive innovation and entrepreneurship stemming from La Trobe University research and intellectual property (IP), and deliver tangible, real-world impact in the community.
The initiative brings together investors, industry and academia to advance research commercialisation and support investment in start-up companies across areas including but not limited to digital health, AI, disease detection and treatment, and food security.
Who is eligible to apply?
The Eagle Fund is focused on commercialisation ventures that are utilising the university’s intellectual property, and/or associated with research translation, innovation and mobilisation of the university’s IP.
Eligible investment opportunities include:
- Start-Up companies (at pre-seed stage) commercialising IP or proposing to license university IP.
- Social ventures, able to reach financial sustainable post-investment by Eagle Fund
An independent Investment Committee encompassing industry, government and university members governs the objectives and functions of the Eagle Fund, they approve and endorse investments for the proposed commercialisation ventures.
What is pre-seed funding?
Pre-seed funding is the earliest stage of investment in a startup or research-driven venture, providing initial financial support to help transform an idea into a viable business or commercial opportunity.
This funding is typically used for activities such as proof-of-concept development, prototype creation, securing intellectual property, and market validation.
It is crucial for bridging the gap between academic research and commercial viability, helping innovators attract further investment and industry collaboration.
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Pre-Seed Funding
The earliest stage of funding, often used to develop initial ideas, validate proof-of-concept, identify workforce talent and secure intellectual property.
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Seed Funding
This stage helps build a prototype or minimum viable product (MVP), conduct market research, and refine the business model.
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Series A Funding
Series A funding supports scaling the business, expanding the team, and enhancing product-market fit.
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Series B & Beyond (Series C, D, etc.)
These rounds fund further scaling, international expansion, product diversification, and increasing market share.
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Exit (IPO, Acquisition or Private Equity Buyout)
The final stage involves either going public through an Initial Public Offering (IPO), acquisition by a larger company, or a buyout by private equity. This phase provides returns to investors and long-term sustainability for the company.
Why is pre-seed funding important?
Pre-seed funding is critical in bridging the gap between groundbreaking research and commercial success, enabling early-stage ideas to gain traction before traditional investment applies.
For industry, this type of funding de-risks innovation by supporting the validation of novel concepts, accelerating proof-of-concept studies, and fostering the development of technologies.
For researchers, pre-seed investment provides the resources needed to translate scientific discoveries into real-world applications, improve and enhance their business skills, secure intellectual property, build prototypes, and attract strategic partnerships.
By supporting pre-seed funding, industry can tap into cutting-edge research at its inception, positioning itself at the forefront of innovation while strengthening collaboration with universities to drive commercial and societal impact.
About La Trobe University X Breakthrough Victoria
This Breakthrough Victoria investment partnership is a part of the $100 million Breakthrough Victoria – University Innovation Platform, specifically designed to elevate the commercialisation of critical research with real-world benefits from Victorian universities.
It includes vital early-stage funding for startups, ensuring that research with strong commerciality reaches its full potential. Learn more.
