The GRIFFIN Accelerator is a three-month intensive program that gets startups moving fast and achieving sustainable business success. This year we have welcomed seven startups to participate, including Viortec. Meet Dr Catherine Galvin, Co-Founder and CEO of Viortec.

Tell us about your company. When and why was it founded?

Viortec was founded in 2021.
My co-founder Dr Tom Ward and I started Viortec to provide opportunities for young engineers to work alongside clinicians in medical device innovation and offer technological solutions to complex issues.
We aim to develop technology that improves surgical safety and outcomes.

What products and services do you provide?

We are currently working on devices to improve knee replacement surgery outcomes.
We provide the service of developing engineering solutions for the clinical community.

Tell us about the skillsets and dynamics of your team.

The leadership team includes two engineers myself and Dr Nicolo Malagutti, working alongside our two clinicians Prof Paul Smith and Dr Tom Ward,
Olivia W is our PhD engineering student, Jim is our first graduate engineer, David and Bronte are honours engineering students and Katherine and David are engineering interns.
As engineers, we love working on problems that have a real-world application and working in a start-up environment is very exciting.

What advice do you have for startups in your industry?

Get the best advice possible at every stage. Don’t try to do it alone.

What are you most proud of so far?

Our team and their enthusiasm for innovation.

What quote or philosophy do you stand by?

Viortec is an orthopaedic technology company, unified by the goal of improving the quality of life of patients needing joint replacement surgery. We approach this task upholding the values of humility and simplicity, understanding that the advances we strive for build upon the exceptional work of many before us, and the technology we develop will deliver the most direct and effective solutions for patients. Our use of the most advanced electronics, robotics and 3D printing enables, but doesn’t distract us from, this vision.

Why do think Canberra is a great place to do business?

We have Australia’s only national university on our doorstep and a very vibrant orthopaedic research community at the Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Unit, situated at the Canberra Hospital. Our city is a wonderful attractive place to live and work.

Tell us about your previous engagement with CBRIN.

We were awarded an ICON grant in 2021, which enables us to work on the design and manufacture of our first device.

What are you most looking forward to in the GRIFFIN Accelerator?

Being part of a cohort who are courageous and enthusiastic. Learning from the experts and propelling our business forward.

Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us about Viortec, we can’t wait to see your progress through the program!
GRIFFIN Accelerator applications are currently closed, the next round will open mid-2023. To find out more visit https://cbrin.com.au/griffinaccelerator