Curtin University is dedicated to attracting the best and brightest minds in startup formation to inspire and guide teams that have embarked on a process of commercialisation and entrepreneurship.
Curtin’s inaugural entrepreneur-in-residence was Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur Bill Tai. Bill helped us establish the annual West Tech Fest and enabled fledgling local businesses – including Canva and Power Ledger – connect with global markets Previous entrepreneurs-in-residence include Perth success story Olivia Humphrey, a well-known Perth entrepreneur who founded video streaming platform Kanopy, and the role is currently filled by Marvin Liao, a former Yahoo executive and ex-500 Startups Partner.
Complementing the efforts of our Entrepreneur in Residence, our Venture Builders are available to provide bespoke one-on-one advice for startup founders and teams around finance, marketing, software development, strategy, or investment.
Marvin Liao is an investor and partner at Diaspora VC in Silicon Valley. Previously, he was a Partner at 500 Startups, running the SF accelerator and investing in Seed stage startups. He has worked with over 450 startups, focusing on Digital Media, Enterprise SAAS, Mobile, IoT, and Fintech. A 10.5-year Yahoo! veteran, he held roles in Sales, Business Development, Ad Ops, and Marketing.
Curtin University has invested in engaging industry leading experts to support and mentor startup founders and entrepreneurs connected to the institution. Our Venture Builders each represent a variety of industries, startup experience, and provide unique insights for our entrepreneur community on how to build and scale great companies.
One-on-one mentorship sessions are available to book with each of our experts now. If you are a Curtin Entrepreneurs member and interested in booking a mentoring session, reach out to entrepreneurship@curtin.edu.au for more information.
Ben Sandhu, co-founder of Ida Sports, has advised startups in the UK and Australia. Passionate about social change through business, he led RMIT’s LaunchHUB and lectured at Monash Business School. With a sports background, Ben grew Ida into a thriving company, securing major investments and contracts. He loves turning ideas into successful businesses.
Jasmin Ward, an innovation and strategy expert with 15+ years of experience, has founded companies in mining communication and genetic testing. Active in the startup ecosystems of Perth, London, and Edinburgh, she has advised global companies on R&D solutions. Jasmin’s diverse background includes venture capital and angel investing across various sectors.
Dr. Natasha Teakle, co-founder and Managing Director of AgriStart, specializes in agtech, sustainable industries, and regional innovation. With a PhD in Plant Biology, she has a background in research, grant writing, and leadership. Tash has judged the WA Innovator of the Year Awards for over six years and is passionate about sustainable primary industries.
Melissa Grove, a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience, excels in public practice and corporate entities. She is a collaborative leader who thrives on delivering value and results. Melissa is adept at interpreting complex concepts for broader audiences and balancing statutory obligations with commercial acumen for successful organisations.
Richard Giles, CEO of Adapptor, has a passion for technology dating back to the eighties. Previously General Manager and Product Director, he led day-to-day operations and developed innovative mobile apps. Richard’s career is marked by continuous growth and a commitment to excellence in the tech industry, making a significant impact in the digital world.
Jack Hallam, General Manager at Ammo Marketing, leads growth workshops and represents Ammo in the community. He entered startups at Bloom and has been with Ammo ever since. With a background in accounting, Jack builds marketing systems to grow and scale companies, focusing on local startups and their marketing processes.
