Home/PIPE Associates
For Commercial Operators & Domain Experts

Be the translational engine
behind breakthrough research.

PIPE Associates are experienced commercial operators who bring real-world expertise to early-stage university innovation — turning promising research into structured opportunities and sharing meaningfully in the value they create.

Become a PIPE Associate →Download Overview
The Associate Role

Operator-led value creation.
Not ad-hoc advisory.

PIPE Associates are not consultants. They are experienced operators — with backgrounds in business development, technical commercialisation, regulatory affairs, venture building, and sector leadership — who are embedded into project teams to build commercial value from the ground up.

Unlike traditional advisory roles, PIPE Associates work within a structured, stage-gated ecosystem. Every engagement has clear objectives, defined KPIs, documented milestones, and outcome-aligned compensation — so that Associates are rewarded for value created, not time spent.

🏗️

Venture Builders

Experienced in founding and scaling ventures from early stage through to exit or IPO.

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Domain Experts

Deep technical expertise in life sciences, clean tech, deep tech, advanced materials, and more.

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Commercial Leaders

Business development, market entry, strategic partnerships, and commercial structure.

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IP & Regulatory

Patent strategy, licensing, regulatory pathway navigation, and IP structuring for investment.

The Associate Proposition

Why experienced operators
choose PIPE.

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Access a curated pipeline of TRL-validated university innovations across disciplines and geographies — no cold outreach, no wasted time on unvalidated opportunities
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Work within a structured ecosystem with clear stage-gates, defined KPIs, and documented milestones — not open-ended advisory with no accountability
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Engage where your specific experience creates the greatest measurable uplift — matched to projects by domain, sector, and commercial expertise
✓
Build a portfolio of translational value creation across multiple projects simultaneously — scaling your impact and income without employment
✓
Equity and outcome-aligned upside where applicable — you share in what you build, with transparent documentation from day one
✓
Join the PIPE Associate Network (PAN) — a community of like-minded operators, investors, and domain experts across the ecosystem
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Contribute to meaningful societal outcomes — the PIPE portfolio focuses on research with genuine environmental, healthcare, and economic impact
COMPENSATION STRUCTURE

Aligned to outcomes,
not time.

Associate compensation is structured to align fully with value creation. Depending on the project and engagement structure, this includes:

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Equity participation in Protégé Companies
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Milestone-based success fees tied to defined KPIs
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Revenue share from licensing and partnership deals
✓
$GDAO token participation in the PIPE gDAO ecosystem
Who We Are Looking For

The PIPE Associate
profile.

PIPE Associates come from diverse backgrounds — but share a common set of qualities: deep expertise in their domain, a track record of commercial delivery, and a genuine commitment to translational impact.

🎯

Experienced Operators

Five or more years of senior commercial, technical, or operational experience — ideally with exposure to early-stage venture or technology commercialisation.

🔗

Network Connectors

Active networks in your domain — including investors, corporate partners, regulatory bodies, or industry associations relevant to university innovation sectors.

🌱

Impact-Motivated

Genuinely motivated by the opportunity to help world-changing research reach the world — not simply by advisory fees or short-term financial return.

Sector Expertise We Are Actively Seeking
Life SciencesMedTechClean EnergyClimate TechAI & Machine LearningAdvanced MaterialsAgri-TechSpace TechnologyDefence & SecurityAdvanced ManufacturingDigital HealthQuantum ComputingRobotics & AutomationVenture CapitalCorporate DevelopmentIP LicensingRegulatory Affairs
Apply to the Associate Network

Join the PIPE
Associate Network (PAN).

Applications are assessed on the basis of domain expertise, commercial track record, and fit with the current PIPE project pipeline. Successful applicants are onboarded into the PAN community and matched to relevant opportunities as they arise.

✓
No exclusivity requirement — Associates can work on multiple projects and maintain other professional commitments
✓
Flexible engagement structure — project-by-project, with clear terms agreed before any work begins
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Full access to the PAN community, events, and peer network from day one of membership

Ready to build value
from the frontier of science?

Join the PIPE Associate Network and access a curated pipeline of validated university innovations where your expertise can create genuine, measurable impact.

Apply Now →Speak to the Team First