In this week’s episode of Research for What?, I talk with Vijay Sivaraman - leader in Software Defined Networking and Professor of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. 

Because his children played online shooting games and needed instant access to data, Vijay founded Canopus Networks, a start-up that commercialises technology developed in his research team.

Here Vijay discusses how his research led to developing a product to improve all internet users’ experience. Vijay says: ‘They are great ideas in research but they never get translated into products so that they can be consumed.’

He describes his dual role as an academic and entrepreneur, a supportive environment that helped him as a researcher to create his own start-up and his transition from science to commercialisation. 

Before launching Canopus Networks, Vijay had some prior experience working for start-ups, which together with knowledge in his technology helped build a passionate team with complementary skills, and turn an academic idea into IP and a commercial product. Engagement with industry has been a long process and Vijay had to learn business skills, language and drivers. He had to be very perseverant and accept rejections, traits he had built during his academic career… Today, when Vijay talks about his technology, he speaks both as a researcher and as the CEO of Canopus Networks. Ideas and projects also flow seamlessly between his research group, his start-up and other industry players. Now, Vijay is taking a sabbatical year to focus entirely on his role as a CEO, educate customers and explain the technology and its benefits. 

Here, Vijay brings a novel insight as he explains how becoming a founder and CEO has changed him as a researcher as well!! According to Vijay, moving a research idea into a commercial product that consumers use, gives researchers more field data about the product and the problem they are solving. Vijay is very confident that his commercial activities are spurring more and better quality academic research. Vijay’s story is evidence that research and commercialisation are not only compatible but also mutually beneficial, when there is a confluence of interests!

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