Joining forces to inspire

Viclink recently teamed up with the MacDiarmid Institute’s ninth international conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology (AMN9) to sponsor a showcase of MacDiarmid start-up companies—several of which have been incubated by Viclink—to conference attendees and invited guests.

The evening event, which kicked off with two-minute “elevator pitches” from each of the start-ups, was followed by an informal networking session. 

“Our goal in sponsoring the event was to highlight the experiences of our own scientists and entrepreneurs to inspire and encourage others to get involved in this space,” says Anne Barnett, Viclink’s Chief Executive Officer.

The two Viclink-nurtured start-ups to talk were AuramerBio—aptamer design experts who provide customisable sensing solutions for medical and environmental research, and MaramaLabs—whose product, CloudSpec, is the only instrument of its kind that can quantitatively measure cloudy liquids. 

Other start-ups to present included:

• Silventum—a nanochemistry technology company focused on dental applications; 
• Spotcheck Technologies—a biotechnology company whose hand-held biosensor platform can detect microorganisms and molecules;
• Orbis—a precision agriculture business that uses microfluidic technology to measure key variables in milk;
• Hi-Aspect—whose proprietary natural protein scaffolds deliver active ingredients for skin and wound care; and
• Engender—whose technology to separate X- and Y-bearing bull sperm cells sustainably accelerates genetic gain and improves cost efficiencies in large animal reproduction.
  
  

“The evening was a great success,” says Anne. “Attendees were impressed by the willingness of these companies to share their knowledge and experiences, and lots of new connections were formed. We hope to do it all again at the 10^th AMN in 2021.”

Photo caption: AuramerBio's Shalen Kumar speaks to the audience.