Bernard Curran
Partner, Business Advisory Services - BDO
In his role at BDO, Bernard provides business advice include establishment and implementation of performance measurement systems, preparation of business plans, accounting system reviews, and budgeting systems. Bernard's extensive experience in providing taxation advice and business services to a diverse range of clients has helped many small business operators, government departments, professional and trade organisations, trade unions and credit unions achieve their financial obligations and objectives.
Bernard Curran Bio
Ruth Drinkwater
CEO, Australian Association of Angel Investors
Over a career spanning 18 years, Ruth has developed experience in innovation and commercialisation activities across the university, government, investment and industry sectors. This experience comprises business management with a focus to achieve competitive outcomes on limited resources and investment management to achieve strategic goals.
Ruth Drinkwater Bio
Jordan Green
Chairman, Melbourne Angels
Jordan is an imaginative business and technical professional grounded in science, technology, management and marketing. Jordan founded and leads an Angel investor group, Melbourne Angels and is co-founder and Deputy Chairman of the Australian Association of Angel Investors. Jordan was also a founding partner and Managing Director of Melbourne Venture Partners, one of the best performing venture capital fund managers in Australia.
Jordan Green Bio
Nigel Hall
Entrepreneur In Residence, Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast Pty Ltd
Nigel has been involved in raising over A$160 million in funding for various businesses since 1994. Prior to joining Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast, Nigel was Managing Director of Equator Investments Pty Ltd, a VC advisory and seed capital provider
focused on investments in early stage financial services and telecommunications providers.
Nigel Hall Bio
Karen Jenkin
Director, Six Figures
Karen Jenkin is co-founder, Director and COO of Six Figures, the Executive Jobs, News and Services site founded in 2007. Karen has over 15 years experience working in the mobile and web applications field with companies such as Ericsson and Telstra, and in more recent years has focused on startups and entrepreneurship.
Karen Jenkin Bio
Dr John Kapeleris
Director of Commercialisation, Australian Institute for Commercialisation
John is Director of Commercialisation and Deputy CEO at the Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC) and was responsible for establishing and running the AIC’s TechFast Program – "Accelerating Technology Transfer and Diffusion using a Market-pull Approach". John has over 17 years experience in the Biotechnology Industry having held a diverse range of roles including R&D Manager, Quality Manager, Business Development Manager, VP Sales and Marketing and Deputy CEO at Panbio Ltd.
John Kapeleris Bio
David Longmuir
Associate, Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
David is a lawyer and registered patent and trade mark attorney and Associate of Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick one of Australia’s leading intellectual property firms. He assists clients in a range of litigious and non-litigious matters including in relation to patent, trade mark, copyright and design. David's main focus is patent litigation and he has been involved in a number of significant pieces of litigation involving complex areas of technology such as plant biotechnology, chemistry and biopharmaceuticals.
David Longmuir Bio
Mark Manteit
CEO, Phillip Island Nature Park
Mark is a chartered accountant and a former Partner of Ernst and Young. He has experience in a range of different industries including General Manager of a large chicken equipment supplier, GM of Australia’s largest dry dock, GM of a large sign company and also a Bio Tech company, CEO of Currumbin Sanctuary on the Gold Coast before his current position as CEO of the Phillip Island Nature Park in Victoria for the last 5 years.
Mark Manteit Bio
Andrew Maxwell
Managing Director, Chatsworth Associates Pty Ltd
Andrew has a proven track record of entrepreneurial business success in Australia and Asia spanning over 20 years. In his role as Managing Director at Chatsworth Associates, Andrew has created a successful Management Buy-In/Private Equity Group. His focus is on buying and building branded consumer product businesses in Australia, targeting businesses with a turnover of up to $100 million and with at least $2 million EBIT.
Andrew Maxwell Bio
Dr Paul Warden-Hutton
Attorney, Fisher Adams Kelly
Paul has a PhD in Medical Science (Biophysics) with experience in the fields of biophysics, spectroscopy, biochemistry and computational chemistry. Paul’s background in applied research has allowed him to develop expertise in both biotechnology and information technology.
Paul Warden-Hutton Bio
If you are interested in becoming a judge in future compatitions, please contact Julie-Anne Sully ja.sully@qut.edu.au. Please include a short biography or CV outlining your expertise.