A Perth entrepreneur whose home business grew into a successful international enterprise and a renowned start-ups and venture capital advisor based in San Francisco have been appointed Entrepreneurs in Residence at Curtin University.
In their new roles, founder of film streaming service Kanopy, Olivia Humphrey, and former Yahoo executive and ex-500 Startups Partner, Marvin Liao will mentor emerging Western Australian entrepreneurs and promote the extensive entrepreneurship activities and opportunities available at Curtin.
Curtin University Faculty of Business and Law Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Nigel de Bussy welcomed the new appointments who he said would boost Curtin’s mission to remain a world leader in the identification and development of entrepreneurs.
“One of Ms Humphrey’s first roles at Curtin will be as keynote speaker at our annual Ignition program, which runs from August 30 – September 4 which allows aspiring entrepreneurs, academics and innovators to develop their business ideas through workshops and mentoring sessions, as well as clinics, advice and support from leading experts,” Professor de Bussy said.
“Ms Humphrey and Mr Liao will be outstanding ambassadors for innovation. They will be able to help connect Curtin entrepreneurs and form relationships with global experts in technology entrepreneurship and investment as part of the pipeline of entrepreneurial activity at the University.”
Ms Humphrey, who founded video streaming platform Kanopy in 2008, before taking it to the USA in 2013 where it grew into a global enterprise, said she looked forward to beginning her new role by delivering the opening keynote speech for Ignition 2020.
“More than 70 eager entrepreneurs are ready to embark on an intensive week of entrepreneurial activity as part of Ignition 2020. I am excited to inspire them to undertake what is an incredible opportunity to learn, grow and help fast-track their vision into commercial ventures,” Ms Humphrey said
Mr Liao, who will serve as a ‘virtual’ Entrepreneur in Residence while based in San Francisco, said he was excited to become involved in developing and delivering the already impressive range of activities and opportunities available to budding entrepreneurs at Curtin.
“I’m thrilled at having this opportunity to help foster a culture of business innovation and entrepreneurship which can go on to deliver real economic and social impact,” Mr Liao said.
