About NewLedge®
NewLedge® for STEM is a short, practical and industry-relevant training program in innovation implementation and commercialisation led by Lucas Merlo, Founder and Principal Mentor at NewLedge®.
STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine) is the backbone of our new knowledge economy – but our university system is, unfortunately, stuck in the past. The focus is on theory, instead of practical skills that will help students succeed in high-priority industries. We are here to change that. Our purpose is to enhance learning experiences and transform the world through capability-building.
We’ve worked with high-performing companies and understand what they require — and the specialised roles they need to fill. We teach STEM graduates how to implement innovation, commercialise products, make decisions like a CEO and improve business performance across research, development, marketing and technology.
NewLedge® for STEM is structured to give students industry-relevant skills — and to give high-performing STEM companies employees who can hit the ground running and serve them well, with a combination of scientific, technical and managerial capabilities.
Our Purpose
Enhance
The learning experience
Invest
In capability-building
Transform
The world of STEM
The NewLedge® Edge and Your Mentor, Lucas Merlo.
We’re here to mentor and shape the next generation of STEM innovators – and help them build profitable careers that stand the test of time and technology. Our course draws from deep research on high-performing companies from high-priority industries. We know the key growth employment areas and the problems companies face in filling critical positions. We’ve developed case studies from years of work with leading organisations in STEM.
NewLedge® is spearheaded by Lucas Merlo, a mentor, researcher, teacher, founder and venture capital advisor with an MBA, who has recently completed PhD research at CSIRO and RMIT.
With previous experience at RMIT & University of Canberra, years as an education facilitator and over a decade spent building and launching businesses, Lucas brings a unique approach to the table, combining academic prudence with disruptive business and management techniques.
His students and mentees have gone on to build rewarding careers within STEM, edtech, sports management, fintech and more.
We’ve partnered with high-priority businesses driving innovation, from tech to Industry 4.0
Allan Lian
Founder, C1 Sports
Studied with Lucas 2019-2020.
I studied several units with Lucas, and what I gained was a better understanding of business practices and how to set up a business from scratch – preparing documents, stats for business reports and marketing reports… and then applying those learnings on a large Australian outdoor goods manufacturer.
I’m now the founder of a sports marketing company, C1 Sports. We work with current NBA players and Hall of Famers and major brands like Nike and Footlocker. We do a lot of report generation for these pro athletes – marketing reports, data analysis and more – to help them to understand the value of their brand and influence in Australia Asia- Pacific. I’m fortunate to have signed on some really big names – Kobe Bryant, Kyle Coleman, Jaylen Brown, Zach Randolph, Zhou Qi from China (who used to play for the Houston Rockets).
All these skills I’ve learned in Lucas’ units can be applied in real life. His courses helped me systematically generate data that really works, instead of random data without primary or secondary research. So the data is accurate, precise and actionable and scientific – which helps us sign on talent.
I believe that every graduate should undertake these units before they enter “real life.” You need to have these skillsets not just to apply for a job, but to make contributions at the workplace. Your management is going to pass on new projects to you – and what’s required is skill, not textbook knowledge. Lucas’ mentorship makes it easy to take your knowledge and ideas, apply them at the workplace, and make things happen!
Phoenix Lawton
Program Administrator, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions University of Canberra 2015-18 Bachelors, Sports Studies Studied Leadership, Innovation & Change with Lucas in 2018.
Lucas is more than a professor – he’s a guide and mentor who wants to do more than just teach. He imparts real-life lessons that can be applied in real-life work situations that enables you to make an impact at the workplace.
Candice Yu
Digital Marketing Specialist, b.box for kids
Monash University 2010 – 2013 Bachelor of Professional Communication (Public Relations/Image Management) Studied with Lucas 2018-2019.
I studied with Lucas for a year and gained so much from his courses and mentorship. In 2018, after I graduated, he helped me get my foot in the door professionally – thanks to his warm recommendations, I was able to gain a full-time position as a digital marketer at E2Language, which kickstarted my career in DM.
As a teacher, he is enthusiastic, experienced and has the ability to make us learn faster and better. The courses he taught focussed not only on academic knowledge, but also on enhancing employability and making us job-ready. His module – Career Path Development Program for graduates – helped us make a smooth transition into the workforce.
Another useful module I studied with him was ‘Interpret Market Trends and Developments’ where I got to apply management tools and techniques in simulated situations. I performed quantitative analysis using Excel, which included sizing the target market and analysing a simulated company’s internal sales data. I also sourced a range of secondary, qualitative information to strengthen my report. I undertook P.E.S.T.L.E, external analysis as well as SWOT, and was able to recommend marketing strategies and tactics.
I have taken with me a number of contemporary tools, templates and resources that I can apply to my current role. He focuses on application and how things work in the real world, not textbook theory.
Without Lucas’ support and guidance, I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to obtain this job. I think the NewLedge® Program is very valuable for all students’ career development, and I would personally recommend it to others who want to get work experience and become job-ready.
Arthur Chan
Digital Marketing Officer at Monash Founder & Director, Chatty Curator Studied Innovation with Lucas
Lucas is more than just a teacher – over the years, he has become a friend and collaborator who has helped me find my footing in the world of digital marketing. The modules I studied with him helped me greatly as it set up my own venture. Whether you are looking to score a job in an up-and-coming sector or build your own company, I highly recommend learning from him.
Sylvester Wickramage
Graduate Accountant, ARB Corporation Ltd
University of Canberra 2017-19 Bachelors, Accounting Studied with Lucas 2018-2019.
Lucas has a very hands-on, practical approach, while most other lecturers tend to focus too much on theory. Lucas made sure that what we learned made a difference in our career and an impact on the business that we worked at. He focused on helping me lead and manage innovation and change in the workplace – and not just getting a better job, but an interesting job.
Kopila Magar
On Call, Interpreters & Translators
Federation University 2011 – 2013 Master’s Degree Accounting & Related Services Studied with Lucas 2018-2019.
Lucas’ courses are centred around getting his students job-ready – not memorizing theory. I picked up a lot of useful tools that I’m able to apply to my current role, like leveraging data to make better decisions. I think any student would be lucky to learn under him and gain from his mentorship!
Danny Kim
Analyst, F Strategy team, LINE Financial Plus
Sangmyung University, South Korea
Studied Business Communications with Lucas
What Lucas taught me has helped me a great deal in my line of work, especially in putting forth ideas effectively. He also extends his warmth and goodwill beyond the classroom as a mentor and friend. As a graduate from South Korea, Lucas welcomes me into his family home where I stayed for 3 months and then travelled around Australia.
Zheyuan (Francis) Wu
B Com, International Business
Studied with Lucas for two years at GBCA and University of Canberra
Lucas has a very engaging way of teaching and goes above and beyond to help his students learn concepts and apply them in real-life situations. There is much focus on learning beyond the books, which has helped me in other spheres of life. I recommend his course for anyone who is looking to make a mark in the business world.
Allan Lian
Founder, C1 Sports
Studied with Lucas 2019-2020.
I studied several units with Lucas, and what I gained was a better understanding of business practices and how to set up a business from scratch – preparing documents, stats for business reports and marketing reports… and then applying those learnings on a large Australian outdoor goods manufacturer.
I’m now the founder of a sports marketing company, C1 Sports. We work with current NBA players and Hall of Famers and major brands like Nike and Footlocker. We do a lot of report generation for these pro athletes – marketing reports, data analysis and more – to help them to understand the value of their brand and influence in Australia Asia- Pacific. I’m fortunate to have signed on some really big names – Kobe Bryant, Kyle Coleman, Jaylen Brown, Zach Randolph, Zhou Qi from China (who used to play for the Houston Rockets).
All these skills I’ve learned in Lucas’ units can be applied in real life. His courses helped me systematically generate data that really works, instead of random data without primary or secondary research. So the data is accurate, precise and actionable and scientific – which helps us sign on talent.
I believe that every graduate should undertake these units before they enter “real life.” You need to have these skillsets not just to apply for a job, but to make contributions at the workplace. Your management is going to pass on new projects to you – and what’s required is skill, not textbook knowledge. Lucas’ mentorship makes it easy to take your knowledge and ideas, apply them at the workplace, and make things happen!
Candice Yu
Digital Marketing Specialist, b.box for kids
Monash University 2010 – 2013 Bachelor of Professional Communication (Public Relations/Image Management) Studied with Lucas 2018-2019.
I studied with Lucas for a year and gained so much from his courses and mentorship. In 2018, after I graduated, he helped me get my foot in the door professionally – thanks to his warm recommendations, I was able to gain a full-time position as a digital marketer at E2Language, which kickstarted my career in DM.
As a teacher, he is enthusiastic, experienced and has the ability to make us learn faster and better. The courses he taught focussed not only on academic knowledge, but also on enhancing employability and making us job-ready. His module – Career Path Development Program for graduates – helped us make a smooth transition into the workforce.
Another useful module I studied with him was ‘Interpret Market Trends and Developments’ where I got to apply management tools and techniques in simulated situations. I performed quantitative analysis using Excel, which included sizing the target market and analysing a simulated company’s internal sales data. I also sourced a range of secondary, qualitative information to strengthen my report. I undertook P.E.S.T.L.E, external analysis as well as SWOT, and was able to recommend marketing strategies and tactics.
I have taken with me a number of contemporary tools, templates and resources that I can apply to my current role. He focuses on application and how things work in the real world, not textbook theory.
Without Lucas’ support and guidance, I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to obtain this job. I think the NewLedge®-program is very valuable for all students’ career development, and I would personally recommend it to others who want to get work experience and become job-ready.
Sylvester Wickramage
Graduate Accountant, ARB Corporation Ltd
University of Canberra 2017-19 Bachelors, Accounting Studied with Lucas 2018-2019.
Lucas has a very hands-on, practical approach, while most other lecturers tend to focus too much on theory. Lucas made sure that what we learned made a difference in our career and an impact on the business that we worked at. He focused on helping me lead and manage innovation and change in the workplace – and not just getting a better job, but an interesting job.