C362/09
Curtin University of Technology has appointed a Commercialisation Advisory Board with membership drawn from across Australia.
The new board will be headed by Chair, Dr Keith Shilkin, former Chief Executive Officer, PathCentre WA.
Other prominent members are Paul Cheever, a leading proponent of early stage venture investing in Australia; Charlie Morgan, an experienced entrepreneur and early stage investor; Mike Quinn, Principal of Innovation Capital, Sydney; and Bernie Stapleton, Director of NBC Capital, Brisbane.
Curtin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Development, Professor Linda Kristjanson, said the board would provide high-level strategic advice on Curtin’s technology commercialisation program and make recommendations on investments from Curtin’s pre-seed and follow-on funds.
“Curtin is well-recognised as having close links with industry to deliver effective research-based commercial outcomes for the benefit of the broader community,” she said.
“With our pre-seed and follow-on funds we have been able to effectively develop many opportunities.
“The new board members will provide Curtin with a broad range of expertise and experience and we look forward to their input.”
Contact: Mr Rohan McDougall; Director, IP Commercialisation; Curtin; 08 9266 3370; r.mcdougall@curtin.edu.au
Note to Editors:
About Curtin IP Commercialisation
Curtin established a pre-seed fund in 2005 and a follow-on fund in 2008, each allocated up to $5 million. The funds are being applied to support early stage commercialisation of innovative new technologies developed at Curtin. The University has invested in 11 companies and a number of unincorporated opportunities. The investee companies are rapidly growing and employ over 100 people in new economy jobs and generate revenues in excess of $10 million per annum.
