At each of UniQuest’s partner research institutions, there are Managers of Innovation and Commercial Development (MICDⁱ), known as Commercialisationⁱ Managers (CMs) at UOWⁱ.

The MICDs are based in faculties, centres and institutes and work closely with researchers to identify, evaluate, protect, package and promote innovations for commercialisation. They have extensive commercial and research experience relevant to the disciplines they support. As part of the research community, they are literally on-hand to advise on commercialisation issues and options, and act as a conduit between their faculty/institute and UniQuest.

MICDs cultivate an appreciation research entrepreneurialism within their respective faculties/institutes by raising awareness of commercialisation practices and pathways, promoting and conducting training, and providing customised advice.

MICDs also investigate funding opportunities for new areas of strategic research by leveraging existing intellectual capital resources and supporting industry engagement.

For potential investors and licensees, MICDs represent a knowledgeable first point of contact for engaging with the appropriate research and commercialisation teams. They manage the relationships between all stakeholders and play a major role in deal negotiation.

MICDs are also involved with state and federal government research commercialisation initiatives, e.g. ARC Linkages, Commercialisation Australia, Queensland Smart Futures, Research Industry Partnerships, national  and international research alliances, etc.