FUTURE FRONTIER · VICTORIA'S AI & DEEP-TECH PRE-ACCELERATOR · 10-WEEK PROGRAM
Future Frontier helps researchers, scientists and founders turn AI focused deep-tech ideas into real-world applications and investible ventures. Delivered in partnership with Monash AI Institute and supported by Innovation Victoria.
Delivered with Monash AI Institute — world-class AI research and infrastructure.
Our team members have founded 3 AI startups+ 1 Exit, acquired by the largest insurer in Asia.
We’ve been on the other side of the table, as former investor in Breakthrough Victoria and Airtree Explorer.
Delivered by the team that led University of Melbourne's MAP Program.
OUR PARTNERS
Why Illume Ventures
Through Future Frontier, we partner with universities, investors and industry leaders to help researchers and founders transform breakthrough ideas into globally relevant companies- combining startup methodologies, investors perspectives and world-class research capabilities.
Why Future Frontier
After working with over 300+ founders and researchers, we repeatedly saw that building ventures take a different mindset and a community that supports them. We're helping you build that.
What sets it apart isn't just the curriculum — it's the people in the room. When you're stuck on a hard call — is this market real, is the investor right, should I keep building — you'll be talking to people who made those exact decisions, with real stakes.
Founded by program team members
Raised for startup and research commercialisation
Founders & researchers supported
AI research and commercialisation experience
Team
Director, Monash AI Institute
PhD (AI) · Professor of Machine Learning · Exited Founder
Former co-founder of exited AIDA Technologies — whose AI platform now processes the majority of individual health insurance claims in Singapore (acquired by AIA, Asia's largest insurer). Led A*STAR's 70-person Data Analytics team. 20+ years bridging AI research and commercialisation. Leads curriculum design and delivery.
LinkedIn →
Founder & Program Director, Illume Ventures
MBA, CPA · Former Investor, Breakthrough Victoria
Ran the University of Melbourne MAP Accelerator Program — supporting 300+ startups that raised $150M+. Ex-Investment Director at Breakthrough Victoria, specialising in university spinouts and deep-tech ventures. Trained 200+ founders and researchers with roles at Startupbootcamp and Villgro India. Launched two talent development programs- Illume Foundation & The Talent Institute (SBC).
LinkedIn →
Entrepreneurship Lead, Monash AI Institute
PhD (AI), Founder, Kroop AI, Monash AI Institute
Founded Kroop AI, a deep-tech startup focused on synthetic media detection and AI trust. Supported through Google for Startups, AWS Startup Spotlight, and NVIDIA Inception. Works at the intersection of AI research, commercialisation and venture creation. Co-leads AI entrepreneurship initiatives at Monash University.
LinkedIn →
Commercialisation Fellow / Entrepreneur in Residence
PhD (Neuroscience), Entrepreneurship Masters- University of Melbourne
Formal training in research translation and commercialisation. His experience spans design and data collection for commercialisation and business development across hard and medical science. Raised over AUD 1.5M in institutional, philanthropic, and government funding, and has navigated IP, market positioning, and university-incubated startup structures. With multiple indexed peer-reviewed publications, he understands the balance between translation and academic output.
LinkedIn →Who It's For
You have breakthrough research. You're not sure how to make it a venture.
You have market insights or you're building an AI product. You want to build it right.
If you are a professional and keen to gain deep-tech experience, you can apply as a Venture Fellow.
The Program
5–7 hours per week across sessions, mentoring and independent work. Key in-person events include an Industry Mixer and the Future Pioneers Showcase at program end.
Program Journey
Orientation, frameworks and cohort kickoff.
Problem definition, customer discovery and market validation.
Solution architecture, MVP direction and ethical AI framework.
Go-to-market, business model and investor-ready narrative.
Showcase event with investors, partners and industry.
FUTURE FRONTIER PROGRAM DETAILS
In partnership with Monash AI Institute · Funded by Innovation Victoria
Selection: Future Frontier is a selective program with limited grant funded places available in each cohort. Admission is based on the strength of your technology or research, commitment to commercialisation, and potential to create real-world impact.
Participant Contribution
Successful Victoria-based applicants receive Innovation Victoria grant funded places and contribute $500 toward the program. Limited fully funded places are available for eligible Victoria-based current PhD researchers and students requiring financial support.
Interstate and international participants
Outside Victoria: As part of our mission to support AI and deep-tech innovators globally, Future Frontier welcomes exceptional AI and deep-tech founders, researchers and scientists beyond Victoria. Limited places are available at a $1,500 AUD participant contribution, with scholarships available for selected applicants requiring financial support.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
Understand how to translate AI and deep-tech idea/research into practical applications, product opportunities and venture creation. Explore, validate and build the foundations of a frontier technology venture.
Understand whether your technology has a meaningful market opportunity.
Build AI solutions with responsible deployment, trust and real-world adoption in mind.
Validate who needs your technology and why
Understand possible commercial pathways, business models and next steps.
Develop the mindset, skills and relationships required to pursue a deep-tech venture.
Receive on-going support as part of Illume's Venture Builder Community.
VENTURE FELLOWS
A selective 8-week fellowship where commercially minded professionals work alongside AI and deep-tech founders on customer discovery, market validation and venture strategy. Successful applicants receive complimentary access to the Future Frontier program and are matched with a venture for the duration of the fellowship. This is a non-salaried fellowship.
For Investors
Visibility into deep-tech opportunities from Australia's leading research institutions before they reach the broader market.
Investor-Expression of InterestFAQs
Researchers exploring spinouts, aspiring founders with an AI product idea, and experienced professionals applying as Industry Fellows. You do not need an existing company.
No. Future Frontier does not take equity or intellectual property from participants.
No. Solo founders and individual researchers are welcome. The cohort itself is often where future co-founder relationships begin.
5–7 hours per week across sessions, mentoring and independent work, plus key in-person events.
Curriculum and mentorship come from active AI entrepreneurs and PhDs with real exits and investment experience — not generalist coaches.
An experienced professional (3+ years) embedded with a cohort startup to contribute expertise and explore entrepreneurship without founding their own company.
No, this program is university and sector agnostic.
Applications
The inaugural Future Frontier cohort is now accepting applications. Takes 15–20 minutes.