Moon shot 2 in action
How Fluency is turning university innovation into market success
Fluency, a trailblazing startup co-founded by Swinburne alumni Oliver Farnill and Finnlay Morcombe, is shaking up the tech world with its game-changing documentation automation platform.

Swinburne Vice President of Innovation and Enterprise Dr Werner van der Merwe (left), Finnlay Morcombe (middle) and Oliver Farnill (right) at the 2023 Swinburne Accelerator Program Pitch Night.
Fluency’s platform streamlines the creation of editable, high-quality documentation, helping businesses save time, reduce costs and maintain compliance. Launched in early 2023, the company hit a major milestone in 2024 with the official debut of its first product. COO and co-founder Oliver Farnill explains Fluency’s impact:
“Our technology integrates into existing workflows, learning from user behaviour to produce precise, style-consistent documents.”
From campus to boardroom: The Swinburne Innovation Studio effect
Fluency’s success story began at the Swinburne Innovation Studio, where Farnill and Morcombe participated in programs designed to turn ideas into market-ready ventures. Starting with the Pre-Accelerator Program, they refined their concept, gathered customer feedback and developed a minimum viable product, earning the Best Pitch Award along the way.
The momentum continued in the Swinburne Accelerator Program; an intensive three-month initiative aimed at scaling startups. Fluency ended 2023 with another win, taking home the People’s Choice Award and cementing its status as a rising star.
Fueling growth through innovation and investment
With backing from Swinburne Ventures Limited and other investors, and continued support from the Innovation Studio, Fluency expanded its team and technology, transitioning into a venture-funded company.
Dr Werner van der Merwe, Vice President of Innovation and Enterprise summarises Swinburne’s commitment to fostering innovative and impactful businesses:
“We invest in people that create a better world.”
Keep exploring the 2024 Annual Report
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Moon shot 1 in action
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Moon shot 3 in action
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Moon shot 4 in action
A stellar legacy: Swinburne’s Professor Matthew Bailes wins 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
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2024 Annual Report
Find Swinburne's key highlights from our 2024 Annual Report. Read about our major achievements for the year and discover key facts about our university.