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All across the country startups are bent over desks toiling away on Commercialisation Australia applications, but only a lucky few will reap the rewards of the government’s latest stab in the dark at fueling innovation. A good business plan and help from a grant writer are a start, but with most things, it never hurts who you know. That said lets take a look at the six people who butts you will need to start kissing because they are the butts sitting on the board of Commercialisation Australia. This is no easy job, as you can read from this Anthill Magazine analysis, and the board members and CEO Laurie Hammond have some tough decisions ahead of them. One thing I’d like to note is the wealth of powerhouse women on this board. In a field like tech, where it’s not unusual to go to events and see wall to wall men, it’s refreshing to see so many innovative and business savvy women breaking into the boys club.

Dr. Katherine Woodthorpe
Katherine is the chief executive of venture capital group AVCAL, and has a varied background is in science, technology, HR, change management, government interaction and mergers and acquisitions. For several years, Katherine was the Chief Executive of the Technology Industries Exporters Group, an industry peak body she helped establish to assist technology companies improve their export performance and has also worked as a CEO mentor with The Executive Connection.
Specialties: Climate and ecology, private equity

Dr. Susan Pond
This woman has a list of accomplishments as long as my arm. She was the first woman to be appointed to a Personal Professorial Chair in the Department of Medicine at the University of Queensland, the first woman to receive the Wellcome Australia Medal, and the first female Managing Director of a Johnson & Johnson Company in Australia. She is concurrently a Director of AusBiotech Ltd, which facilitates the commercialisation of Australian innovation.
Specialties: research collaboration with universities, bioengineering and nanotechnology, Queensland

Dr. Bruce Whan
Bruce directs Swinburne Knowledge, Swinburne University of Technology’s commercialisation unit, and is also CEO of Swinburne Ventures Ltd. Bruce is Chairman of INNOVIC, the Victorian Innovation Centre Limited, which hosts the international Next Big Thing awards and helps Victorian businesses with everything from grants to mentoring. He’s had close links with Swinburne’s Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship for many years.
Specialties: innovation, Victoria

Nixon Apple
Besides having an awesome name that mixes the worst of American presidents with the best of tasty fruit, Mr.Apple is also the Industry and Economic Adviser for the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union.  You can read a bit more about Nixon’s feeling on Australian innovation and manufacturing in this 2006 ABC interview.
Specialties: manufacturing, government and policy

Jan Bingley
You know that thing called WIFI, that thing you probably use like every day? Yeah CSIRO invented most of the key parts of it and that’s where Jan Bingley works as General Manager of IP, Licensing and Technology. She also handles the company’s equity portfolio of around $100 million.That portfolio presently contains businesses like Avipep, Windlab Systems and more. You can read some of Jan’s tips on exactly CSIRO grew its portfolio in this article.
Specialties: commercialisation

Dr. Laurie Hammond
Laurie is the founder of Gold Coast incubation and investment group InQbator. InQbator has a number of tech investments including WindLab Systems, Ivolve and Mantara. He has a storied past with venture capital and seed stage investing on behalf of a number of companies. Laurie has been a member of a number of boards and committees on Australian tax, business and innovation.
Specialties: Venture capital, Gold Coast

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