Navigator Program

Why this program is essential

The Navigator Program is UniQuest’s introductory customer discovery and market validation program for researchers who are ready to take the next step beyond understanding commercialisation and start engaging directly with potential customers, end users and industry stakeholders.

Through a series of practical workshops, guided activities and structured customer discovery exercises, participants learn how to move beyond assumptions and gather real-world evidence about market needs, customer challenges and commercial opportunities.

Rather than focusing solely on the technology itself, Navigator helps researchers understand the people, industries and problems their research could address, providing a stronger foundation for future commercialisation activities, industry engagement, translational funding opportunities and impact pathways.

Designed for researchers exploring impact and commercialisation opportunities

Navigator is ideal for researchers who have identified a promising technology, invention, method, service or research outcome and want to better understand its real-world application and potential value.

The program provides a structured framework for investigating market needs, testing assumptions and engaging with stakeholders.  By generating evidence early, participants can make more informed decisions about future opportunities, whether that involves industry collaboration, translational research funding, policy impact, licensing, startup formation or other pathways to impact.

Key learning outcomes

The program is structured around three core stages of opportunity, validation and market discovery.

1. Understanding the problem

Focus: Problem discovery and market need validation

Outcome: Learn how to identify, frame and validate real-world problems experienced by customers, industry and stakeholders.  Develop a deeper understanding of the challenges your research may be able to address and avoid the common trap of focusing on a solution before fully understanding the problem.

2. Engaging with stakeholders

Focus: Customer discovery and stakeholder engagement

Outcome: Build confidence in conducting customer and stakeholder interviews.  Learn how to gather meaningful insights, challenge assumptions and use evidence to guide future research translation and commercialisation decisions.

3. Validating opportunities

Focus: Evidence generation and opportunity development

Outcome: Translate stakeholder insights into a compelling value proposition, define target markets and identify the next steps needed to progress your opportunity.  Learn how to generate evidence that supports future partnerships, funding applications, commercialisation activities and impact pathways.

What you will gain

Clarity:  Develop a clear understanding of the problem your research addresses, who experiences it, and where the greatest opportunity for impact may exist.

Confidence:  Gain the confidence to engage with customers, industry partners, policymakers and other stakeholders, and to discuss the relevance and potential value of your research.