“From Test Tubes to Megawatts: How Research Sparked a Battery Business”

Professor Thomas Nann
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Allegro Energy
Newcastle

Date: Thursday, 15 May 2025, 5.30 pm for 6.00 – 7.00 pm (AEST)
Venue: NEX, Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre, 309 King Street, Newcastle West, NSW
Registration: Registration link to follow
Entry: Members, $15; Non-members, $25; Students, $5
All are welcome

Summary: Translating research outcomes into real-world impact is (almost) every academic’s dream. However, the journey from academia to business is steep and fraught with challenges. These include navigating negotiations with technology transfer offices, bridging the “valley of death” to develop the first minimum viable product, and mastering the complexities of running a business—a skillset far removed from the academic environment.

In this presentation, Thomas will share insights into this transition, touching on the science behind his work but also focusing on his journey from academia to leading a rapidly growing business.

Thomas Nann is the CEO and co-founder of Allegro Energy, an Australian company based in Newcastle. Allegro Energy provides sustainable, high-performance energy storage solutions, mainly focussing on long-duration energy storage using Allegro’s proprietary microemulsion flow battery technology. Thomas is an experienced speaker, leader, innovator and entrepreneur. He has many years of experience in leading academic research and research organisations, manufacturing facilities and commercialising research outcomes. Climate change mitigation and renewable energy have always been his passion. After completing his PhD in electrochemistry and his Habilitation in nanomaterials, he led numerous academic and industrial projects in the field of renewable energy generation and storage.

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