2026 Lisa Ring and Family Scholarships awarded to innovators targeting cancer treatment and climate change
Credit: Carmen Zammit
Media release
This is an archived media release. Links were correct at the time of publication, but may have changed or expired.
Thursday 30 October 2025
State Library Victoria’s startup hub, StartSpace, is proud to announce the recipients of the prestigious Lisa Ring and Family Scholarships for 2026:
Aliet Bior, founder of Umbrellus, designers of modular, regenerative infrastructure that protects livestock and vineyards from climate extremes while restoring soil health and reducing waste.
Abhijeet Waykar and Justin Yeung, co-founders of PredicTx Health, which uses AI to personalise chemotherapy dosing from routine CT scans, reducing toxicity, improving outcomes, and making cancer treatment safer.
Now in its fifth year, the Lisa Ring and Family Scholarships program empowers early-stage startups to build, grow and succeed. Each recipient receives $10,000 in seed funding, bespoke business coaching and StartSpace Loft Membership for twelve months, providing access to coworking spaces and a network of likeminded entrepreneurs.
Philanthropist Lisa Ring said: ‘My family and I are extremely proud of this year’s scholarship winners, who are using leading edge technologies to tackle complex modern issues. Aliet, Abhijeet and Justin are inspiring founders, who have the vision, talent and determination to turn their business ideas into thriving ventures. We are excited to see their ideas become reality, and we hope that the scholarship empowers them to even greater success.’
State Library Victoria acting CEO John Wicks acknowledged the vital role of philanthropist Lisa Ring in supporting early-stage founders through the scholarship program: ‘The Lisa Ring and Family Scholarships program has made an enormous impact on StartSpace and Victoria’s startup ecosystem. Three quarters of our scholars are still operating and growing their businesses, winning awards and securing new investment. Congratulations to the 2026 scholars, I look forward to seeing them reach their potential.’
State Library Victoria Director, Experience, Joel McGuinness said: ‘The 2026 Lisa Ring and Family Scholars represent the ingenuity and diversity of Victoria’s flourishing founder community, with the potential to grow from local startups to thriving businesses with global impact, and we’re excited to support them on that journey.’
The founders of Umbrellus and PredicTx Health will commence their scholarships in January 2026.