Author: Ray Charan

Internships are often where classroom learning meets real-world creativity — and for Elisa, Anthony, and Sana, their time at Launch Pad was just that. Over three months, the trio explored what it truly means to work in a space where innovation, community, and laughter go hand in hand.

When research meets real-world need, innovation comes alive. For Dr Jerry Zhou, Senior Lecturer and Clinical Fellow at Western Sydney University’s School of Medicine, years of working with patients revealed an overlooked truth — effective gut-health treatment shouldn’t stop at the clinic door. That realisation became the spark behind Amazing Gut, a medical-technology startup reimagining how we approach gastrointestinal care.

Starting something new in a foreign city can be isolating. For Harshita Sood, the founder of ketch-Up Community and alumna of Western Sydney University, that challenge became the seed of her startup journey. After living across multiple countries and continents, she found herself in Sydney searching for authentic female friendships. That’s when she asked herself the question that would eventually spark her business: “Why is it so hard to meet like-minded women who just get you?”

Balancing work, a creative side hustle and social obligations is no easy feat—but for Tanush, it’s become a path to personal growth, creative freedom, and even paid opportunities. As a budding content creator, Tanush has found a way to use social media not only as a creative outlet but also as a space for professional development.