Engaged research on people, productivity, place, and policy relating to entrepreneurial capabilities and innovation
About this Collaborative
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Collaborative (IEC) is the platform for a cross-faculty centre. Collectively, our work inspires and supports policy, startup support organisations, educators and individuals to increase productivity and create social impact.
We engage in thought leadership, practice and courses relating to a broad range of topics relating to innovation. The common interest is in how people develop the capabilities to increase productivity in context of a place, and how their actions can be shaped by policy. This includes research on entrepreneurship education and the future of work, startups, innovation districts, innovation systems and inclusiveness. Many of our projects have a pathway to impact built-in through collaborating with project funders.
Subscribe to our Google Scholar feed
Note: The Google Scholar feed captures all our publications, including where innovation and entrepreneurship is more peripheral.
Our members research and specialise in areas such as:
Empowering innovation through place-based entrepreneurship
At UTS’s Transdisciplinary School, our TD Research team believe that innovation thrives in vibrant, connected places. Our work in place-based entrepreneurship explores how precincts, districts, and ecosystems can become powerful engines of inclusive growth and creative collaboration. By bridging research and practice, we help shape environments where startups scale, communities flourish, and bold ideas take root. From local innovation hubs to global case studies, we’re building the future—one place at a time.
Fuelling founders through support systems that matter
At TD Research, we understand that great ideas need more than vision—they need support. Our research dives deep into the systems that empower entrepreneurs: mentoring, grants, incubators, and accelerators. We explore how these structures shape journeys from startup to scaleup, and how they can be designed to be more inclusive, impactful, and future-ready. By connecting evidence with action, we help build ecosystems where innovation is nurtured, resilience is cultivated, and bold ventures thrive.
Championing inclusive innovation through minority entrepreneurship
At UTS, our TD Research team believe entrepreneurship should be accessible to all. Our work in minority entrepreneurship shines a light on the unique journeys of founders from diverse backgrounds—including those with disabilities, immigrants, and veterans. Through evidence-based research and community collaboration, we explore how tailored support systems can unlock potential, foster resilience, and drive equitable innovation. We’re committed to building ecosystems where every entrepreneur has the opportunity to lead, grow, and inspire.
Building resilient futures through sustainable entrepreneurship
At UTS TD Research, we delve into how entrepreneurship can regenerate communities, restore ecosystems, and build resilience in the face of global challenges. Our work in sustainable entrepreneurship goes beyond profit—it’s about purpose. We investigate how founders and ventures can drive environmental, social, and economic renewal through bold, values-driven innovation. From circular economy models to climate-conscious startups, we’re helping shape a future where business is a force for sustainable change.
Driving purpose-led innovation through social entrepreneurship
At UTS TD Research, we explore how entrepreneurship can be a catalyst for social change. Our work in social entrepreneurship spans not-for-profit (NFP) ventures, impact investing, and mission-driven startups that put people and planet first. We investigate how bold ideas, backed by sustainable models and values-led leadership, can tackle society’s most pressing challenges. By connecting research with real-world impact-we help build ecosystems where doing good and doing well go hand in hand.
Unlocking entrepreneurial potential through capability development
Our transdisciplinary research team are shaping the next generation of changemakers, by advancing how entrepreneurial skills are taught, nurtured, and applied. Our work spans education and pedagogy, intrapreneurship, commercialisation training, and employability—empowering individuals to turn ideas into impact. Whether inside startups or established organisations, we explore how entrepreneurial thinking drives innovation, adaptability, and meaningful careers. Through research-led learning, we’re building a future where capability meets opportunity.
Recent featured projects
- 2025 ‘Scaling climate tech’: An investigative report with key industry findings and recommendations, Made to Scale and Greenhouse
- 2024 ‘Incubator and accelerator support programs in Australia: The case of NISA's Incubator Support Programme’, OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship
- 2023 ‘UTS TD Research – Research on Measuring the Institutional Capacity of Key Productivity – Promoting Institutions in Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) members’, Asian Productivity Organisation
- 2022–24 ‘UTS TD Research – How to support veterans to be successful in entrepreneurship’, Right Management
- 2023 ‘The Development of a Framework of Consistent and Meaningful Innovation Output Metrics across the Greater Cities Commission (GCC) Innovation Districts’, NSW Greater Cities Commission and Sydney School of Entrepreneurship
- 2022 ‘UTS TD Research – Scaling Ambition: Enabling the next generation of globally competitive scaleups' – Policy and academic review on scaleup firms and the scaleup landscape in NSW compared to other Australian states and international jurisdictions’, NSW Innovation and Productivity Council
- 2023 ‘UTS TD Research – Research into the impact of co-working spaces, accelerators, incubators, and startup hubs on the NSW economy’, NSW Innovation Productivity Council
Our members
Faculty
- Professor Renu Agarwal BUS
- Dr Suhair Alkilani DAB
- Dr Amir Armanious BUS
- Associate Professor Martin Bliemel TD
- Associate Professor Paul Brown TD
- Emeritus Professor Steve Burdon FEIT
- Professor Dilek Cetindamar Kozanoglu FEIT
- Dr Adam Cohen BUS
- Professor Bronwen Dalton BUS
- Professor Simon Darcy BUS
- Professor Asif Gill FEIT
- Emeritus Professor Roy Green DVC
- Dr Jan Henrik Gruenhagen TD
- Dr Matthias Guertler DAB
- Mr Murray Hurps DVCE
- Dr Pavlina Jasovska BUS
- Dr Mile Katic BUS
- Professor Catherine Killen DAB
- Dr Nancy Kong HEALTH
- Associate Professor Helena Li BUS
- Distinguished Professor Martin Loosemore DAB
- Dr Julien Marchand TD
- Dr Jacqueline Melvold TD
- Associate Professor Ofer Mintz BUS
- Professor Natalia Nikolova BUS
- Dr Jarrod Ormiston TD
- Adjunct Associate Professor Krithika Randhawa BUS
- Dr Banjo Roxas BUS
- Associate Professor Fanny Salignac TD
- Dr Nathalie Sick FEIT
- Professor Prabhu Sivabalan DVCE
- Associate Professor Jochen Schweitzer BUS
- Anna Tari BUS
- Associate Professor Marina Zhang ACRI
Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates
- Rachel Atkins BUS
- Tshinta Morris TD
- Trisna Mulyati TD
- Deepa Subhadrammal TD/BUS
Associates (including adjuncts)
- Professor Michael Blumenstein FEIT
- Professor Hélène de Burgh-Woodman GRS
- Dr Sabina Doldor IPPG
- Professor Katharina Hoelzle TD (adjunct)
- Professor John Howard IPPG (adjunct), Acton Institute
- Dr Mariana Gonzales Lago (TD associate)
- Associate Professor Thorsten Lammers FEIT (adjunct)
- Professor Martina Linnenluecke BUS
- Professor Michael Wallach TD (adjunct)
Connect with us
Stay in the loop about news and events at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Collaborative.