Startups vs Scaleups - UQBS Insight Series
Our panel of industry professionals will be discussing our current startup ecosystem and how government and corporates can continue to provide later-stage companies the guidance to scale as they progress. In the 21st century global economy, the countries that work hand in glove with their innovative companies are seeing the greatest economic returns for their efforts. pastevent
AmCham UQ Business School Insight Series
STARTUPS vs SCALEUPS
Brisbane has seen the development of an impressive startup cohort in the city and there are no signs of it slowing down. Our panel of industry professionals will be discussing our current startup ecosystem and how government and corporates can continue to provide later-stage companies the guidance to scale as they progress. In the 21st century global economy, the countries that work hand in glove with their innovative companies are seeing the greatest economic returns for their efforts. Gain more insight into corporate-startup collaboration and strengthening Queensland’s innovation ecosystem and how to support a stronger tech ecosystem for startups to transform into scaleups – sustainable businesses.
Panel of Speakers:
- Steve Baxter, Founder of River City Labs and Queensland's Chief Entrepreneur
- Lisa Jenkinson, Head of Innovation & Entrepreneurship QLD, KPMG
- Wayne Gerard, CEO and Co-Founder, RedEye
- Associate Professor Tim Kastelle, MBA Program Director, UQ Business School
Panel discussion facilitated by Kristin Devitt, Managing Director, KDPR
If you are a student or startup, you may be eligible to book at our discounted rate.
Please contact [email protected] to enquire.
Beyond startups
We must, as a country, move
beyond a preoccupation with startups,
influenced by a media obsession
with sensational growth stories of
the likes of Instagram and Snapchat
and exaggerated by investor
enthusiasm for an exciting concept.
This has skewed the focus of many tech
companies to the wrong measures of
success. We are
cultivating a sector that is overly focused
on creating innovative products and
achieving external funding. But a good
idea or clever product isn’t the same as a
good, long-term, viable business.
Startup businesses are generally
well-supported in Australia, but those
seeking to grow their business beyond
the startup phase face significant
challenges.
“There’s lots of angel investing,
but once a seedling company bursts
through there is no one to catch and
propel it into a world-class company. I
am forced to look towards the US and
the Far East.”
Our ambition as a country and as a
sector must aim higher if we are
going to become a serious contender in
the tech space, competing with of
sophisticated tech centres, such as
Israel and the US North East.
www.kpmg.com |
Steve Baxter, Queensland Chief Entrepreneur
RIVER CITY LABS | STARTUP CATALYST
Steve Baxter is the current Queensland Chief Entrepreneur, taking over the role in October 2017.
Entrepreneur, investor, and ‘Shark’ on Shark Tank Australia, Steve Baxter is one of Australia’s most successful tech entrepreneurs, and an active investor and mentor to startups.
Steve is an active supporter of Australia’s and Queensland’s startup eco-system as a founding board member of advocacy group StartupAUS, the founder of Brisbane technology startup hub River City Labs, and the mission leader for Startup Catalyst.
Lisa Jenkinson, Head of Innovation & Entrepreneurship QLD
KPMG AUSTRALIA
Lisa is the Head of Innovation for KPMG Qld, part of the national KPMG Innovate team that delivers innovation consulting services to clients. Over recent years Lisa has delivered several accelerator programs specifically designed to bring together key major resource sector corporates and scale-ups to accelerate growth, drive greater collaboration and innovation across the sector – KPMG Energise (2015 & 2016) and Igniting METS Accelerator (2017). These programs have been designed with a dual focus in that there are two streams of activity – a scale-up stream, designed to help scale-ups accelerate their growth and gain greater traction with resource sector corporates; and a corporate stream, designed to deliver a series of masterclasses on corporate innovation, encourage collaboration with peers (both internally to the organisation and potentially also with competitors) to develop innovation capability and culture, as well as identify innovative, real-world solutions to opportunities and challenges through facilitated engagement with participating scale-ups.
Prior to KPMG, Lisa spent the past decade within the technology innovation and commercialisation spectrum, working with founders of startups and young ASX listed companies to commercialise energy storage and solar thermal technologies as well as commercialise disruptive business models in energy retailing.
Wayne Gerard, CEO and Co-Founder
REDEYE
Wayne Gerard is a passionate entrepreneur and the CEO and co-founder of RedEye, one of Australia’s fastest growing startups. Wayne plays an active role in the development of Queensland and Australia’s startup ecosystem, he is currently a member of the QLD Premier’s Business Advisory Council and the Advance Qld Expert Panel. In 2015 Wayne was awarded the Queensland Entrepreneur of the Year Pearcy Award.
Associate Professor Tim Kastelle, MBA Program Director
UQ BUSINESS SCHOOL
Tim’s research, teaching and engagement work are all based on his study of innovation management. He graduated from Princeton University with a degree in economics, and his MBA and PhD were completed at UQ. He has worked in marketing and management positions in a variety of industries including radio, office equipment, industrial chemicals, higher education and software, and these experiences inform both his research and his teaching. Tim has published widely in the leading innovation journals. He is deeply committed to translating research into practice. To this end, he writes a well-regarded innovation blog for managers (www.timkastelle.org/blog/), and he has worked extensively with a wide range of organisations. Tim has worked closely with the CSIRO to build the national research commercialisation program ON Prime (www.oninnovation.com.au/Programs/ON-Prime). He is currently the MBA Director for the UQ Business School, and runs the School’s collaborations with the Wharton and Fudan Business Schools.
Kristin Devitt, Managing Director
KDPR
Kristin has forged a successful career spanning more than 20 years as a broadcast journalist and communications strategist, and since founding KDPR in 2003, has become a trusted advisor to leaders in business, government and the professions on all aspects of communication.
Kristin is well known for her strategic nous and ability to problem solve and build brands and she loves working with decision-makers who are prepared to think outside the box on communications strategy. Her investment in the success of her clients has allowed her to build long-lasting, trusted relationships with some of Queensland’s most influential individuals and organisations.
Change management, place making, launches, mergers, advocacy, reputation, digital presence and creative development are her particular areas of interest. Highly skilled in reputation management and crisis communications, Kristin is also in-demand as a media trainer and public speaking coach, and is a regular guest speaker, facilitator and MC at Brisbane business and fundraising events, and a regular panelist on ABC Radio Brisbane.
The Office of Women (Queensland) named Kristin as one of ten women in the 1990s to have contributed in a significant way to Queensland as part of the Q150 celebrations. She has held several Board and Committee roles including Women in Media Queensland, La Boite Theatre Company, the National Board of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce Qld (AICC).
Kristin is a champion for change, particularly on the subject of gender equality, and is an outspoken advocate for the empowerment of women.
Event Partners
Invitation transferable: feel free to forward this invitation to anyone within your organisation or networks who you think might be interested in this event.