Ten startups from Macquarie University Incubator’s 150-strong community will pitch solutions from AI cancer detection to emotionally intelligent aged care companions on Thursday evening.
Why this matters: University incubators continue to drive Australian innovation despite funding pressures. This event demonstrates the diversity of problems local startups are tackling, from reducing pharmacy labour costs to improving cancer diagnostics, whilst providing entrepreneurs access to capital, mentorship and industry connections critical for growth.
Ten startups will take the stage at Macquarie University Incubator on Thursday evening, each presenting solutions to pressing challenges across healthcare, construction, education and professional services.
The annual pitch final, running from 4pm to 6.30pm at the Wallumattagal Campus in Macquarie Park, represents the culmination of a year’s work for founders who’ve been developing their products alongside 140 other startup and scaleup companies within the incubator’s community.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, investors and industry professionals, the event offers a rare opportunity to witness emerging Australian innovation firsthand, with networking, food and drinks following the presentations.
Thursday’s Finalists
The 10 startups competing represent diverse sectors, though a clear theme emerges around applying AI and automation to improve efficiency, accuracy and accessibility across traditional industries.
Akili Sono is developing an AI-powered co-pilot to automate and enhance diagnostic ultrasound workflows, aiming to improve scan quality, accuracy and accessibility across all medical settings. The technology addresses a persistent challenge in medical diagnostics where operator skill significantly impacts diagnostic quality.
ASK SCIENTIA focuses on optical and diagnostic technologies delivering real-time, high-resolution characterisation of inhaler, pharmaceutical and aerosol products. Their approach helps companies de-risk development and move to clinical trials with greater confidence, addressing regulatory and quality assurance challenges in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
bluefriend takes a different approach to workplace wellness, delivering engaging workshops and evidence-based coping tools, including thoughtfully designed coping cards, to help people manage stress and boost resilience. The startup addresses growing mental health concerns in professional environments.
Carebotics is building emotionally intelligent AI companions for aged care, focusing on wellbeing support for elderly residents. The technology responds to increasing aged care staffing challenges whilst attempting to improve quality of life for residents.
Defectech leverages AI and advanced imaging to simplify detection, classification and analysis of structural defects in buildings. As an enabled building services provider, they’re addressing inefficiencies in construction quality assurance and building inspections.
Healthcare Innovation
Healthcare startups dominate this year’s finalists, reflecting broader trends in Australian startup funding patterns where health technology continues attracting significant investment.
Easy Split is developing a semi-automatic pill cutter that improves speed, accuracy and hygiene in pharmacies. The device aims to reduce labour costs whilst ensuring safer, more consistent medication preparation, addressing operational challenges facing community pharmacies.
MusoLingo uses AI-powered voice analysis and real-time feedback to help people learn new languages through singing popular songs. The approach offers a more engaging alternative to traditional language apps, combining entertainment with education to improve retention and motivation.
NanoDx is developing a low-cost, nanosensor-based blood test that detects and analyses cancer within an hour. The technology promises rapid, non-invasive insights to guide personalised treatment and early diagnosis, potentially transforming cancer screening accessibility.
TerraSeek empowers solar installers with AI-driven mapping and property intelligence to find, target and convert homes ready for solar and battery installations. The platform addresses sales efficiency challenges in the renewable energy sector, helping installers identify high-potential customers.
Trilbii provides dental practices and medical clinics with smart AI tools to reduce administrative tasks, save time and help teams focus on patient care and business growth. The startup tackles persistent operational inefficiencies in healthcare practices.
AI Across Industries
The consistent thread across most finalists is the application of artificial intelligence to longstanding industry challenges. This reflects broader shifts in how Australian entrepreneurs are building companies, focusing on practical applications of emerging technologies rather than purely novel innovations.
University incubators play a crucial role in this ecosystem, providing not just physical workspace but access to research capabilities, domain expertise and networks that help technical founders navigate commercialisation challenges.
The Macquarie University Incubator has grown its startup community significantly throughout 2025, now supporting over 150 active companies across various stages of development. The organisation’s vision centres on creating entrepreneurship programmes that train and nurture innovation whilst supporting impactful solutions to global problems.
Located in Macquarie Park, often referred to as Sydney’s garden city and Australia’s original innovation district, the incubator benefits from proximity to corporate partners, research facilities and a concentration of technology companies that create networking opportunities for resident startups.
The pitch final format allows each startup to showcase their business to a panel of expert judges who will provide feedback through question and answer sessions. Beyond the immediate competition, founders gain exposure to potential partners, investors and customers attending the event.
Event Details
The event takes place at the Macquarie University Incubator, 8 Hadenfeld Avenue, Macquarie University, from 4pm to 6.30pm on Thursday, 13 November. Networking, food and drinks follow the pitch presentations.
Attendees will include investors, aspiring entrepreneurs, local community members and industry representatives, creating opportunities for founders to build relationships beyond the formal presentations.
For startups, pitch competitions serve multiple purposes beyond potential prize money. They force founders to refine their messaging, prepare for investor scrutiny and articulate their value proposition clearly.
The Macquarie University Incubator operates on Wattamattageal land, the traditional custodians of the area, whose cultures and customs continue to nurture the region.
The diversity of solutions being pitched on Thursday demonstrates the breadth of challenges Australian startups are tackling, from improving healthcare diagnostics to reducing building inspection costs, whilst highlighting how AI and automation are being applied across traditional industries to create efficiency gains and improve outcomes.
For observers of the Australian startup ecosystem, events like Thursday’s pitch final provide insight into emerging trends, the types of problems attracting entrepreneurial attention and the quality of innovation being developed within university-linked incubation programmes.
More details here.
Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
