When I was 7, I spent each afternoon coding, then went to bed praying I would be running a software company when I grew up.
I'm now 20 years into that dream, having founded and grown several tech companies. In doing so, I have developed a passion for inspiring and supporting others to pursue technology‐driven entrepreneurship, and for them to have the support I didn't have when I launched my first startup at 16.
While my startup grew to over 100 million active users over 15 years, I'm more proud of what I have accomplished afterwards to support others.
I've implemented the largest survey of Australia's startup ecosystem (Startup Muster), grown Australia's largest network of startup hubs (Fishburners), designed and implemented Australia's first data‐focused accelerator program (FUELD) for Australia's oldest company (Westpac), and I'm now building a university‐wide strategy for UTS to inspire and support technology‐driven entrepreneurship at scale (UTS Startups).
I've had unpaid director positions with the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA, the peak body for technology companies in Australia), WorkVentures (a not‐for‐profit focused on helping under‐privileged people secure jobs in technology companies), Spark Festival (Australia's largest startup festival) and I've chaired the iAwards (the largest technology awards program in Australia).
Australia's future relies on Australia's future entrepreneurs. I'm passionate about both, and my life is now consumed with implementing a strategy at UTS to inspire all students to see entrepreneurship as normal, desirable and accessible, and to then support all student‐launched startups to continue and to grow.