StartupAUS expands board to encourage corporate involvement in innovation

Tech entrepreneur Wayne Gerard has been announced as a new board member for StartupAUS, as part of a shift by the advocacy group to increase corporate involvement in innovation initiatives.

StartupAUS’ interim CEO Peter Bradd will also move into chairman role following the conclusion of his six-month tenure with the organisation.

New StartupAUS board member, Wayne Gerard

The peak advocacy group for startups has announced plans for expansion, with the announcement of new board member, Gerard – the Queensland-based founder of Red Eye Apps.

In a statement released on Monday, StartupAUS claimed it will bring more financial partners on-board in a bid to help corporates have a bigger voice in the emerging innovation conversation and assist StartupAUS in increasing its resources and activities in 2016.

The organisation’s current corporate partners include Salesforce, Xero and Google Australia, as well as philanthropic support from tech entrepreneur, Steve Baxter, and co-chairman of CHAMP’s board of directors and investment committee, Bill Ferris.

The not-for-profit organisation recently played a large role in developing new policy reforms outlined in the Federal Government’s recent innovation statement, with the prime minister implementing many suggestions around technology and innovation directly from StartupAUS’ latest Crossroads report.

The incoming CEO to replace Bradd will be formally announced in the New Year. The chairman’s position is a rotating role, and incumbent chairman – engineering director for Google A/NZ, Alan Noble – will continue to serve on the StartupAUS board.

Commenting on his tenure, exiting StartupAUS CEO, Peter Bradd, said: “It has been a rewarding six months, with the past week’s Federal policy announcements a huge high point, bringing together two years’ worth of research, debate and awareness-raising around Australia’s startup ecosystem.

“Malcolm Turnbull’s statement outlined many critical changes that StartupAUS has been advocating for and it was a huge win for the Australian tech ecosystem, and something that we are very proud of.”