Founders Spotlight

Our Founders in Residence at the JCU Ideas Lab

Hello World AI

Photo: Hello World AI founders Tasheena Snow, Jarred and Clive.

We're helping regional businesses and communities tell their stories better, whether it's through social media, smart tools, or beautifully crafted digital experiences that feel as human as they are innovative.

The Founders in Residence program at the JCU Ideas Lab offers us a unique, creative space that complements the work I do. It’s a place where strategy, design, and tech come together. Being surrounded by other founders and students makes it a great environment to test ideas, grow collaborations, and stay inspired.

We’ve recently been working on a design and storytelling project with local domestic violence shelters, helping them build a stronger digital presence and connect with their communities in safe and empowering ways. It’s been an incredibly meaningful experience, and a reminder of how good design and thoughtful content can make a real difference.

Macrobiome Therapeutics

Photo: Macrobiome Therapeutics founders Distinguished Professor Alex Loukas and Dr Paul Giacomin.

We are an early-stage biotech company that aims to develop new therapeutic approaches to treat chronic inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Our company manufactures certain proteins released by hookworms as conventional biologic drugs. Pre-clinical studies show they are effective at targeting inflammation.

The opportunity to establish a presence at the Ideas Lab as part of the Founders in Residence program enables us to be a part of the burgeoning innovation ecosystem in Far North Queensland. We enjoy working alongside like-minded entrepreneurs with complementary expertise in AI and digital technology.

To date, our company has secured over $2M investment and funding, and we are currently seeking seed further investment that will help progress our lead candidate drug to the stage where it will be ready for clinical testing in humans.

Sachh Ariel Moka

One of my current projects is Dermalyze, an app that alerts users to potential skin cancers by using an additional lens attached to their mobile phone.

I decided to join the Founders in Residence at the Ideas Lab because it is a great chance to immerse myself in an environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. Being surrounded by like-minded people has helped me learn a lot, stay motivated, and feel supported in taking my ideas further.

I am currently collaborating on a project that could help Dermalyze evolve into a product. It’s early-stage but very promising, and I’m also able to count this toward my Work Integrated Learning for my Bachelor of IT at JCU.