From The Founder’s Desk
Dr Mobin Nomvar
Working in deep tech innovation is as challenging as it is exhilarating. Every week, we encounter ideas that sit on the edge of what’s possible—technologies that haven’t yet proven themselves, processes that need rethinking, and systems that don’t exist yet. In this space, the unknown is the norm. Complexity is expected. But we thrive here, because our teams trust in discipline, in structured problem-solving, and in the humility to let results—not assumptions—guide the way.
At Scimita, we don’t cling to theories or legacy assumptions. We’re not burdened by the need to prove what we believe—we’re only burdened by the responsibility to find a commercial solution. We remain agnostic to direction and focused on outcomes. That’s our edge.
Each month, my team and I are privileged to engage with some of the most remarkable new technologies and boldest thinkers in Australia’s innovation ecosystem. And with every encounter, we’re learning—about what works, what doesn’t, and what it really takes to succeed in this game.
We’re also asked a lot of tough questions—ones that reveal the real pain points founders, scientists, engineers, and investors face every day. Questions like:
Can the TRL framework really save me months and millions when scaling new mineral processing technologies?
How do I introduce innovation into my project without unsettling the market or my investors?
What sets your approach apart from other advisors or consultants?
What are the key steps I should take to value-add my resource beyond drilling?
How can AI help me optimise the economics of my reserve?
Which grants should I prioritise for my company’s growth and innovation plans?
Is chemical engineering the same as mineral processing? Why does it matter?
How much of grant success is luck—and how much is strategy?
How does working with an Innovation House actually give me an edge over my competitors?
It’s every miner’s dream to lower the cut-off grade and multiply their reserve size. How have you helped others achieve that?
Everyone talks about the valley of death—what does it really mean for a company like mine?
How do I select my flowsheet from the many options I have?
How do I extract the most value from my multi-product flowsheet?
How do I move from my current test work to integrated piloting and de-risk my project?
Every single one of these questions matters—and over the coming months, I’ll begin unpacking them.
Why? Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from working across Australia’s innovation landscape, it’s this: the challenge is rarely technical. Most innovators can solve the problem—eventually.
The real challenge is solving it at speed, in a way that aligns with commercial drivers and attracts the right capital before the window closes.
That’s the difference between a breakthrough and another casualty in the “valley of death.”
If this column helps you accelerate your thinking, your innovation journey, or your project’s viability even a little—then it’s doing its job.
Until next time,
Dr Mobin Nomvar