Associate Professor, UniSA
Ady teaches systems engineering, space studies and space science, is an Honorary Reader in UCL’s Faculty of Engineering Science, and Director of Education & Training with SmartSat CRC. He obtained his PhD at UCL, developing a fast ion spectrometer for the Russian Mars 96 spacecraft. He has worked as technical project manager and systems engineer on various space programs, and is currently a technical advisor for the Kanyini spacecraft.
Partner, Madderns
Stephen has significant experience helping companies with IP-related commercialisation activities in diverse fields like defence, agtech, medical and sports technology. He has a keen interest in advising startups on how to identify and exploit commercialisation opportunities associated with technological developments from an IP perspective, and development and management of patent strategies.
Special Counsel: Commercial Litigation & IP, Technology & Media, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
Veronica has wide-ranging, cross-industry experience in complex commercial litigation, regulatory and advice work. She is also a space enthusiast, leading HWLE's space law team. Delivering strategic commercial and legal solutions for over 15 years, Veronica knows the value of startups having a strong legal foundation, mitigating potential legal risks and liabilities.
CEO, Katasi Inc.
Hailing from Colorado, Scott is a renowned space entrepreneur who has founded multiple businesses including Starsys Research, eSpace: The Center for Space Entrepreneurship, and Katasi Distracted Driving Solutions. With an extensive career in the space industry, he holds 16 patents in technologies as diverse as medical devices, spacecraft products and telecom.
Client Solutions Director, ManPower Group
Mark is an international talent, recruitment, marketing, and business development expert with over 20 years’ experience in international education, government relations, corporate and primary health. He has worked for several large primary care service providers and ASX listed companies, also holding greenfield and startup roles.
SmartSat CRC Professorial Chair in Cybersecurity, UniSA
Jill’s work focuses on supporting development of a national technical agenda in satellite cybersecurity and resilience with Government, defence and defence industry. She has made significant contributions to national forensic computer science, security, protection of infrastructure and cyber-terrorism and is acknowledged as a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service.
Chief of Staff, BiomeBank
Jo is a health and medical scientist with deep experience in health, medical technologies and pharmaceuticals. She specialises in strategy, analysis, business planning and management in the research sector honed across more than 20 years working for universities, research organisations, investors, startup companies, community organisations and charities in a range of roles and discipline areas.
Digital Strategy & Architecture Specialist, Taptu Pty Ltd
With more than 25 years of IT experience, Luca has worked for diverse sector-leading companies in consulting, corporate banking, legal, education, mining and government. A specialist in digital strategy, software product and enterprise architecture, Luca runs boutique digital advisory firm Taptu, social enterprise Head Full of Heart, and is the technical product lead of startup TaskAlyser.
Director and Founder, Tarralugo
Nigel brings over 25 years of international business experience. Having lived and worked in the UK, Europe, Australia, and called Singapore home for almost 12 years, he has worked in companies ranging from successful start-ups through to global MNCs. Nigel appreciates first-hand the highs, lows, and nuances of building a business and scaling overseas.
Research Program Manager, SmartSat CRC
Andrew has extensive experience in space tech on a global scale, having worked in technical roles with two of Australia’s leading space tech startups Southern Launch and Fleet Space Technologies, and overseas with Google Lunar XPRIZE, the European Space Agency, and deep tech investment group Syndicate 708. Andrew has a PhD in aerospace engineering and a Master’s in space studies.
Associate Director, KPMG
Stephanie leads KPMG Adelaide’s space industry practice. She is a space policy and strategy specialist, with a focus on international and interagency coordination facilitating dialogue and government priorities and projects. Stephanie is passionate about finding creative partnerships to connect space technology to non-space sectors.
Founder/Director, More Space For Light
Dan supports individuals, teams and organisations with strategy, creativity, and innovation. More Space For Light helps organisations overcome complex challenges using human-centred design, whether related to strategy, product, process, service, or vision, incorporating Design Thinking, Futuring, Lean, and Agile methodologies. Dan is also an educator, global speaker, tech investor, and startup founder.
Mike Miller SmartSat Chair in Telecommunications, UniSA
Prof. Smith has worked as a research scientist, lecturer, R&D manager, project manager, corporate executive, CTO, and CEO in disciplines including astronomy, space surveillance technologies, astrodynamics and defence industry. Building on more than 35 years of experience in space and defence industry, he established Smith Optical Systems in 2022 where he is director and principal scientist.
Client Engagement Facilitator, Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF)
With over 20 years’ experience in the science and research industry, Matt has spent the past 10 working in business development, consulting, and strategic planning for industry, government and academia. He specialises in business management, tech commercialisation, grant administration, contract research and consulting management, and manages ANFF's pre-seed investment fund.
CEO, LeapSheep
Kirk is CEO and co-founder of LeapSheep, a subscription advisory and startup building platform. Kirk spent 12 years with Microsoft as Head of Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Relations for the Asia Pacific. He has developed artificial intelligence products and services at startups in Silicon Valley and is a early-stage angel investor.
Senior Lecturer, UniSA Business
Sanjee's research is on demographic diversity, with a special focus on age and gender. She is committed not just to publishing in top-tier academic outlets, but ensuring her findings reach practitioners. Prior to academia, Sanjee spent several years in Human Resources.
Associate Director, HLB Mann Judd
With a special focus on the R&D Tax Incentive, Troy has extensive cross-industry experience in tax consulting, corporate accounting and business advisory services (BAS). He provides expert guidance to startups, SMEs and ASX-listed companies about accessing the R&D Tax scheme including claim optimisation and tax regulation compliance, as well as financial, advisory and accounting services.
Managing Director, Beardbot Pty Ltd
An IT and web development specialist, Nathan has worked on websites including Centrelink, Child Support Agency and MyGov. His prior career in sales and marketing as well as business, systems and test analysis means he quickly understands business objectives and processes, translates them into technical requirements, and designs reliable, functional solutions with marketing flair.
Senior Systems Engineer, Silentium Defence
Michael is a systems engineering professional with experience in the medical device, security and defence industries. He has overseen development of hardware/software products across the lifecycle, ranging from prototypes to complex systems. Venture Catalyst Space alumnus, Michael co-founded company Wright Technologies to tackle global cargo theft.
Pathways Manager, Defence Innovation Partnership (DIP)
Bez supports collaborative project teams incorporating universities, industry, and other research organisations to promote their research to commercialisation partners and end users, as well as scope scaleup opportunities. He specialises in national and international trends and influences in technology development and R&D, and has experience in large-scale digital transformation projects.
CEO, FireFlight Technologies and Spatial Scientific
Paul is a geospatial scientist, systems engineer and pilot with a master’s degree in physics and PhD in remote sensing. With more than 20 years’ experience in academia, Paul now runs technology-focused businesses Spatial Scientific and FireFlight Technologies in the engineering, mapping, aviation, and firefighting sectors. Paul also works with Defence (RAAF).
Owner, Ethan Tan Consulting
Ethan is a food science and technology expert with over 20 years’ experience in the food industry. Previously owning Mexex, a leading UHT food contract manufacturer, he has key capabilities in commercialisation, innovation, business development, supply chain optimisation and strategy development. Ethan spends his time consulting and volunteering in various organisations and charities.
Public Health Scientist and Innovator
Dr. Neil is passionate about the use of technology in helping improve healthcare. His qualifications include over 10 years of professional experience, a PhD in Public Health, an MSc in Bioinformatics, a BSc in Computer Science with specialisation in Software Technology, and a certificate in BioMedical Design and Innovation from Denmark.
