Forward Deployed epitomises the type of company we look to support through the University Innovation Program: a venture led by a team of Victorian innovators who met at one of our state’s world-class universities and are building a breakthrough technology with the potential to strengthen Australia's ability to detect and respond to chemical threats. ”
Innovation Victoria Backs Forward Deployed to Advance Next-Generation Chemical Threat Detection
Innovation Victoria and Swinburne University of Technology are investing a combined $1 million in Melbourne-based national security technology company Forward Deployed.
Through Innovation Victoria’s University Innovation Platform (UIP), Innovation Victoria and Swinburne will each invest $500,000 in Forward Deployed to advance its chemical threat detection technology and support its next stage of commercial growth.
The investment will support the continued development and independent validation of DINGO, Forward Deployed’s chemical threat detection platform, as the company progresses towards production-level systems and builds on existing contracts in Australia, the United States and United Kingdom.
The Next Generation of Threat Detection
DINGO is designed to bring laboratory-grade chemical detection into operational environments. Combining advanced sensing, field-ready hardware and real-time software, the platform turns complex sensing data into clear, actionable information in seconds.
The technology requires no consumables and can operate at the point of need, including through integration with autonomous systems. This can help teams identify chemical threats in real time, while protecting the safety of their personnel.
While Forward Deployed is initially focused on national security, its technology also has potential applications across biosecurity, agriculture, construction, mining and other commercial markets.
From University Connections to Commercial Impact
The investment builds on Forward Deployed’s longstanding relationship with Swinburne University of Technology.
Two of the company’s three co-founders, CEO Richard Hebden and CTO Alex Barry, are Swinburne alumni. The company also has an active research collaboration with the university focused on autonomous sensing and data processing using DINGO hardware.
Innovation Victoria CEO - Rod BristowWe’re proud to back Richard and the team as they translate university-connected research into commercial products and a growing Victorian company. ”
Forward Deployed Co-founder and CEO - Richard HebdenChemical threats have evolved significantly over the past five years, but the technology used to detect and defend against them has not. Our goal is to help close this gap, equipping teams on the frontlines with the sophisticated, readily deployable threat detection technology they need to keep their personnel safe. ”
Turning breakthrough knowledge into impact at scale requires sustained investment, strong partnerships and a clear pathway to market. Through our investment and research collaboration with Forward Deployed, Swinburne is helping advance a sophisticated technology with the potential to protect people by reducing their exposure to hazardous environments. ”
Swinburne University of Technology Vice President, Innovation and Enterprise - Werner van der MerweThis is the role universities can play in strengthening the innovation ecosystem and accelerating promising technologies towards impact. ”
About the University Innovation Platform
Innovation Victoria’s University Innovation Platform brings universities, researchers, innovators and investment together to help promising technologies progress along the research-to-market pathway. The investment in Forward Deployed supports the commercialisation of Victorian innovation while helping build the companies, capabilities and emerging industries that can contribute to Victoria’s future economy.