CoLabs Australia

Another year, another CoLabs Australia Christmas – and what a year it has been! 2024 has felt like it has been a real level-up on the journey towards a more bio-inspired future. This year has been about planting the seeds of new initiatives in our ecosystem, weathering (the many) storms of challenge, and celebrating the incredible fruits of our collective labour. Every day we get to be around spaces filled with the brightest minds, warm hearts and the most passionate doers in our ecosystem is always a bit of a cheeky pinch-me moment. From expanding our lab footprint (hello there, Notting Hill) to welcoming new members working on groundbreaking projects shaping the future of bio-led design and innovation to forming collaborations with partners, enablers, and funders that genuinely excite us about our next evolutionary phase of growth and development in service to the whole, this team and community continue to prove what’s possible when conditions permit. Here are a few key moments that stuck out from this year: 🙌 Welcoming Jan Bjelic onto the team has been like adding a fresh stream to our ecosystem. Jan has brought incredible energy and strategic insight into sales and marketing, helping us reach new heights and connect with the right people to make an even greater impact across both CoLabs Australia and BioQuisitive Ltd and The Phoenix School Program. 🌼 A massive thank you to Candice Raeburn, Margaret Webb, Ema Corro, Jan Bjelic, Beth Fisher and Emma Burrows for their work behind the scenes supporting Andrew Gray with the relaunch of BioQuisitive Ltd. Like skilled gardeners, they’ve tended to the roots of this project (especially whilst I was running around not tending to our metaphorical plants) which will allow us to create a space where community science can truly thrive. Your dedication has made a world of difference, and I can’t wait to see how this blooms in 2025! A special shoutout to everyone who’s been part of our journey – from the incredible CoLabs team to the startups, researchers, and partners whose boundless ingenuity and creativity constantly reshape our perspectives and expand our understanding of what’s possible. Here’s to wrapping up the year with deep gratitude and stepping into 2025 with fresh energy to keep cultivating a future where humanity and technology align more harmoniously with the living systems we co-depend on for our shared survival and flourishing! Wishing you all a festive season filled with joy, rest, and maybe a little too much pavlova. 😉 Cap tip to the eclectic community that makes it all worthwhile – we do this all for you and couldn’t do it without you. 💕 #CoLabsAustralia #InnovationEcosystem #Biotech #CircularEconomy #Biomaterials #Biodesign #CivicScience #Ecosystem #BioHubs

🎤 I’ll be joining a fantastic line up of speakers at the second annual Good For Business: Sustainable Fashion Summit on 14th February 2025 at NSW Parliament House, Sydney. This event brings together leaders, innovators, and change-makers from business, government, NGOs, and academia to drive tangible impact and to strategise for a more equitable and regenerative fashion industry. 🌱 I’m delighted to share the Alt.Leather story and contribute to shaping the dialogue and calling for action for a more sustainable future for fashion. Looking forward to seeing you there! Book your tickets here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gZQyUWZz sustainable-fashion-summit-2025 #sustainablefashion #esg #circularfashion #goodforbusiness

What does seafood and Medtech have in common? 70% of Seafood biomass currently has no use and goes to waste. The global seafood industry generates over 20–30 million tons of fish offal and shells annually . In Australia, much of this waste—rich in valuable resources like collagen, omega-3 oils, calcium carbonate, and chitin—is either discarded or minimally utilized. 🌊 💡What’s the Opportunity? As we transition to a future where we biomanufacture/refine most of our needs, “waste” needs to be valorized today. Fish offal and shells are an untapped $15+ billion global market for innovative bio-based products: 🦀Chitin (Pictured above): Biodegradable plastics, antimicrobial coatings, and advanced water filtration systems, wound dressings, nano fibers for biomaterials. Valued at $10–$15 per kilogram, with the market projected to exceed $5.75 billion by 2033. 🐟Collagen and Proteins: High-value ingredients for nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and regenerative medicine. Marine collagen fetches $50–$100 per kilogram, depending on purity. ⚗️Omega-3 Oils: Essential for heart health supplements and functional foods, priced at $15–$30 per kilogram. 🏗️Calcium Carbonate: A renewable material for construction, agriculture, and industrial uses, valued at $100–$200 per ton. 🌟 Why This Matters: 1️⃣ Environmental Urgency: Generally, throwing away anything biological is a great way to contribute to emissions. 2️⃣ Economic Potential: With growing demand for sustainable biomaterials, these resources present a global market opportunity worth billions. 3️⃣ Australia’s Opportunity: Generally 70% of fish and shellfish biomass ends up as waste! If we’re producing over 300,000 tones of material…that’s a lot of raw material being thrown out. If you're in #SynBio, #ChemicalEngineering, or passionate about Biomanufacturing, this is a great space to innovate in. You might help develop scalable biorefineries to extract and refine chitin, proteins, and oils. Maybe through enzymatic processing you can explore low-energy, efficient extraction methods through enzymatic processing, or experiment with high-performance bioplastics and composites. Where would you explore setting up? SA - Port Lincoln, Wingfield WA - Albany QLD - Bundaberg VIC - Portland #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #Biomanufacturing #MaterialScience #MarineBiotechnology #EnzymaticProcessing #FoodTech #GreenInnovation #AustraliaInnovation Blue-X SHRMP.bio Seafood Industry Australia Australian Fisheries Management Authority

We can't wait to see what's in store for Respirabuilt in 2025! Nor can we wait for some hemp-based artefacts appear in the space. 👏 #Biomaterials #Hemp #BioDesign #Innovation #BuiltEnvironment #Circularity

Wrapping up 9 months of the RISE Accelerator Program was like saying good bye to family 🥹 It was a privilege to be mentored by the exceptional teams in both Australia and India. The comprehensive course covered: - A deep dive into circularity and relevant policies - Value proposition development and business model generation - Government structures - All aspects of internationalisation from legal through to PR - Establishing international pilot trials - The power of building strong networks 🫶🏻Thank you to the cohort, CSIRO and Atal Innovation Mission Official for having us.

🥟✨ The Future of Food is Tasty! ✨🥟 Magic Valley has done it—delivering cultivated pork dumplings that look (and taste) like the real thing! 🌱 Their work is an exciting step forward for sustainable and ethical food innovation. It’s amazing to see how science and creativity are coming together to reimagine what’s on our plates. A big shout-out to the Magic Valley team for leading the way! #FutureFood #CultivatedMeat #Innovation #FoodTech #Sustainability

BioManufacture This: $10 Billion Opportunity in Bagasse 🌍 Bagasse—a byproduct of sugarcane processing—is an untapped resource. Over 500 million tons of bagasse are generated annually, but most of it is burned for energy, wasting its enormous potential. 🔬 What’s Inside Bagasse? 40-50% Cellulose: Ideal for bioplastics, bioethanol, and sustainable textiles. 20-30% Hemicellulose: A source of xylitol (a sugar substitute), furfural (a key chemical for resins and lower-impact biofuels), and prebiotics. 20-25% Lignin: Can be refined into vanillin (a high-value flavor), adhesives, and renewable energy solutions. Trace Extractives & Minerals: Valuable for cosmetics, bio-based chemicals, source of silica, and soil health. 💡 Why This Matters: 1️⃣ Environmental Benefits: Transforming bagasse into high-value products reduces pollution and aligns with global sustainability goals. 2️⃣ Market Potential: The $10 billion market opportunity spans bioplastics, biofuels, and specialty chemicals, driven by rising demand for renewable materials. 3️⃣ Circular Economies: Innovation in bagasse valorization could empower sugar mills, industries, and regions to create new revenue streams. The challenge now? Unlocking these components efficiently and at scale. Technologies like modular/scalable biorefineries, enzymatic processing, and AI-driven systems may hold the key. There is no waste in Nature 🌱 Who to connect with on Bagasse? QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Wilmar Sugar Australia Limited Bundaberg Sugar Ltd Licella Holdings may be a good start. #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #Biomanufacturing #GreenInnovation #synbio #microbiology #bioprocessing #policy #ChemicalEngineering #EnvironmentalScience #MaterialScience #processEngineering

Exciting news from one of our alumni!

For all those sciencey folks looking to find funding to bring your transformative innovation to life, remember this... Narrative is key. Bio-led startups (and deep-tech/climate tech folks, too) often face a unique challenge: translating complex, groundbreaking ideas into messages that resonate with investors, customers, and the general public. In an age of information overload, a compelling narrative isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s an essential element that will inevitably dictate your ability to create the positive change you wish to see in the world. A well-crafted story connects your innovation to the real-world impact it will have, moving beyond technical jargon to highlight why your solution matters. A solid narrative bridges the gap between abstract science and human emotions, inspiring belief in a vision for the future through appealing not just to the head but the heart as well. For climate and impact-oriented innovators, this is particularly crucial, as your work often touches on systemic challenges like sustainability, resilience, and equity. Intangible hyper-objects that are notoriously nebulous and conceptually abstract. The key is to simplify without oversimplifying it – not too little, not too much! Fun fact: we don't even have a word for this in English, but it's equivalent is 'Lagom' in Swedish. Look to frame your initiative in a way that showcases its role in solving meaningful problems while staying true to the nuances of its complexity and overarching purpose. This is how you move hearts, secure funding, and mobilise action. Looking to refine your narrative? Check out this recent article by Lauren Crystal from Your Creative, link in the comments below!

A timelapse of our Notting Hill Facility coming to life captured by our build partner, Amicus.