The Academy is an Australian-first life sciences program that develops research-led founders while advancing their ventures toward investment readiness. Delivered by the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator (SBA) in partnership with Proto Axiom, the program is designed for researchers with promising, potentially investable life science assets who are motivated to lead their own commercial pathway and need to build the entrepreneurial experience and mindset sought by external investors.

The Academy is a dual-track program. Selected researchers (termed Academy Fellows) are embedded within Proto Axiom's internal venture ecosystem, receiving immersive, hands-on founder development. Simultaneously, Fellows advance their own venture through a bespoke investor-guided program that increases the commercial potential. By integrating an active investor throughout, rather than only at the program’s conclusion, the Academy creates a materially different pathway to potential investment by building founder capability and venture investability in parallel. Fellows complete the program with a de-risked venture and the commercial literacy, networks, and experience of a founder ready to lead their spinout.