The University of Western Australia has long been recognised for producing graduates who make meaningful contributions across industries. The remarkable journey of Chris Shaw and Xavier Orr provides a compelling example of how UWA’s academic environment can shape ideas that grow into global enterprises.

Mr Shaw (Electronic Engineering and Commerce, First Class Honours) and Mr Orr (Mechatronic Engineering and Computer Science), co-founded Advanced Navigation, a company that has recently achieved ‘unicorn’ status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion following a major funding round. Unicorn status refers to any privately held startup company that has reached a valuation of US$1 billion or more.

What distinguishes this success story is its origin within the University itself. The foundations of Advanced Navigation can be traced directly to Mr Orr’s thesis work at UWA, which explored artificial intelligence-based inertial navigation. This research addressed a complex challenge: enabling systems to determine position and movement without reliance on GPS. Today, that work underpins technologies used globally in autonomous systems operating in some of the most demanding environments.

From these academic beginnings, these graduates transformed research into a commercially viable technology platform. Their company now serves leading organisations including NASA, Boeing, Tesla, and major mining companies, positioning Advanced Navigation at the forefront of robotics, aerospace, defence, and industrial innovation.

Founded in Perth by the two UWA classmates, the company has grown rapidly and now operates internationally, with expansion into key global markets and a workforce expected to double in the near future. Importantly, Mr Orr continues to play an active role as co-founder, alongside Mr Shaw, guiding the company’s ongoing innovation and growth.

UWA has consistently fostered an environment where students are encouraged to think beyond conventional boundaries, to question, to experiment, and to innovate. The success of Advanced Navigation demonstrates how this environment can lead to outcomes that extend far beyond the classroom, contributing to global technological advancement and economic growth.

For current students, this story reinforces an important message: the work undertaken at university, whether through coursework, research projects, or collaborations, can form the foundation of transformative ventures. For alumni, it is a reminder of the enduring value of a UWA education and the global network it supports.

As UWA continues to strengthen its focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry engagement, stories such as this highlight the University’s role not just as a place of learning, but as a catalyst for ideas that shape the future.

By Dr Raj Kurup, Alumni Councillor and Adjunct Professor, Chemical Engineering, UWA