ASCEND PROGRAM

About The Ascend Program

 

Cruxes Innovation’s Ascend Program is a multi-week, project-based research commercialisation coaching program that provides cross-disciplinary teams with a systematic approach to conduct market validation and formulation of research translation or commercialisation opportunities. Through tailored coaching and deep engagement with stakeholders, Ascend accelerates the journey from research capability to validated pathways for translation and commercialisation. 

 
The Ascend Program is ideal for:  

• Newly formed project teams with a shared desire to develop compelling funding proposals 

• Project teams with members from several disciplines or organisations looking to accelerate opportunities for collaboration and deeper engagement 
   

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What Will I Learn?

Across a 12-week cycle (with the option to extend a further 12 weeks), teams work closely with expert Cruxes Innovation coaches to: 
 

1. Co-design an Impact Vision
    –  Define a clear research impact narrative and long-term vision 
   –  Articulate a compelling, unique value proposition for the research or technology 
    

2. Identify and Engage Key Partners 
    –  Map potential translation and commercialisation partners across industry, government, and community 
   –  Develop outreach strategies and engage meaningfully with prospective collaborators
    

3. Validate Commercial and Societal Value 
    –  Conduct up to 100 market-discovery conversations with stakeholders 
   –  Run minimum viable experiments (MVEs) to test market need, feasibility, and identify adoption barriers 
   –  Assess the alignment between stakeholder needs and the research capability or technology 
    

4. Shape a High-Value Collaborative Project 
    –  Co-refine project milestones with engaged partners
   –  Build a shared roadmap to support future funding, development or deployment 

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Program Structure

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The Ascend Program is designed for research project teams of 3–6 members and offers flexible, intensive, context-specific support. 

• Start anytime – teams begin when they are ready 

• 3-hour kickoff workshop to establish goals and align expectations 

• Fortnightly 1:1 coaching sessions over 12 weeks 

• Extensions available for an additional 12 weeks if deeper partnership work is required 
   

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Program Outcomes

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By the end of Ascend, participating teams will be able to: 

• Build partnerships across industry, government, and/or community for a major translation-focused initiative: ITRH, ITTC, CRC-P, CRC, AEA 

• Validate and progress a project’s translation or commercialisation pathway with industry, government, or end-user partners. 
   

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Contact us to register your interest!

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