NSW Government To Invest In Sydney Startups Pioneering Innovative Defence & Medical Technologies

The NSW Government is investing $1 million in a number of innovative Sydney startups, including a Burwood company creating regenerative surgical grafts, and another by a former Royal Australian Navy sailor manufacturing fire-resistant undergarments for female personnel.

About The Program Investing In Sydney’s Innovators

It comes as part of the final round of the NSW Government’s MVP Ventures Program, which has invested a total of $3 million in NSW innovations to turn home-grown ideas into commercial successes.

“We’re delivering on the Innovation Blueprint and NSW Industry Policy, by building a stronger pipeline from idea to commercial success so more businesses can start, scale and thrive in NSW,” said Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong.

Meanwhile, Minister for Small Business Janelle Saffin emphasises the importance of supporting small businesses during the critical jump from ideation to actually financing a project.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the NSW economy,” said Saffin, “but bridging that critical funding gap between an innovative concept and commercial success is incredibly challenging.

“Through this latest round, we are delivering on our commitment to help local startups turn brilliant ideas into thriving enterprises, creating jobs and strengthening industries right across our state.”

Some Of The Winning Sydney Startups

A notable recipient of the final funding round for 2025-26 is Global Surgical Innovations Pty Ltd. 

The organisation, based in Burwood, is developing regenerative graft materials to be used in surgery to repair damaged tissue. According to developers, the graft enables natural healing before dissolving like a resorbable suture, leaving no footprint in the body.

“We are developing a regenerative, resorbable graft material, designed to replace the harvesting of cartilage in nasal reconstructive surgery to improve breathing,” said Dr Christella Mylordi, Director and Co-Founder of Global Surgical Innovations. “Why harvest tissues when surgeons can use a consistent regenerative graft off-the-shelf?

“The MVP Ventures grant will help us progress our actv-graft® product towards market and support the commercialisation of NSW-developed medical technology.”

Another exciting winner of the innovation grant is UndaTech Pty Ltd.

Founded in Sydney in 2023 by former Royal Australian Navy sailor Emily Pyke, the startup is developing a fire-resistant undershirt designed for women working in defence, emergency services, construction, mining, and other high-risk jobs.

“Women working in defence, emergency services and high-risk industries need protective clothing designed specifically for their fit and operational requirements,” said Pyke.

“The MVP Ventures grant will help us develop and commercialise a fire-resistant operational undershirt that improves comfort, protection and performance.”