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Dr Mary Manning
Chief Investment Officer, Australian Government’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation
Dr Mary Manning is the NRFC’s inaugural Chief Investment Officer. Mary joined the NRFC in July 2024 after more than 25 years’ experience in finance, economics and investment in Australia and overseas, including in New York, London and Singapore.
She was previously a Portfolio Manager at Ellerston Capital and Aphinity Investment Management, and also held senior investment positions at Oaktree Capital and Soros Funds Management.
Dr Manning has an MBA from Harvard Business School, a PhD in Economics from the University of Sydney and has completed additional courses at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership. She is a member of 100 Women in Finance and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
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Dr Larry Marshall
Lead Independent Director, Fortescue Innovation
Dr Larry Marshall is one of Australia’s leading technology innovators and business leaders. He is Chair of Fortescue Innovation and the American Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the boards of Fortescue, Nanosonics and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
A former CEO of CSIRO and Silicon Valley technology executive, Larry has led companies across biotechnology, telecommunications, semiconductors and venture capital. He holds 20 patents, has served on 20 high-tech company boards, and is the author of Invention to Innovation, which sets out a pathway for Australia to turn world-class research into economic value.
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H.E. Vasyl Myroshnychenko
Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia & New Zealand
Vasyl Myroshnychenko has been Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia since 2022. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he was an active business and civil society leader in Ukraine. From 2006 to 2022, he was a Partner at CFC Big Ideas, a Kyiv-based strategic communications company.
He has 20 years of experience advising clients on corporate communications, public affairs and reputation management. Vasyl is a co-founder of Ukraine Crisis Media Center, a media NGO set up in early March of 2014 aimed at amplifying Ukraine’s voice internationally.
He was a Chevening Scholar and earned MSc in Politics of the World Economy from the London School of Economics (2006, UK). He holds MA and BA degrees in international relations from Institute of International Relations, Kyiv National Shevchenko University (2002, 2003).
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Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong MP
NSW Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology
Anoulack migrated to Australia from Laos as a child and was raised in Southwest Sydney where he assisted in his family’s small grocery store. He has university qualifications in commerce, economics and public administration from the University of Sydney and London School of Economics.
Prior to entering Parliament in 2015 as the Member for Macquarie Fields, Anoulack worked as an economist and served as Mayor for Campbelltown. In 2023, he was appointed as a Minister in the Minns Government, responsible for five portfolios. He lives in Southwest Sydney with his wife and two children.
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dr david skellern AO
Chair, Semiconductor Sector Service Bureau (S3B)
Dr David Skellern AO is one of Australia’s most influential technology leaders, with a career spanning radio astronomy, academia, semiconductors and commercialisation. He co-founded Radiata in 1997, which developed the world’s first chipset implementation of the 54Mbit/s IEEE 802.11a high-speed WLAN standard before being acquired by Cisco Systems in 2001.
David later served as CEO of National ICT Australia and has held numerous board and chair roles across Australia’s technology and research ecosystem. He is currently Chair of Quasar Satellite Technologies, S3B and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, and a Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility. He also advises early-stage technology companies and holds academic appointments at Imperial College London and Macquarie University.
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Lt Colonel Mike shervington OBE
Former Commander, The Parachute Regiment
Leadership & Performance Coach
Mike Shervington spent 23 years with elite paratroopers, leading soldiers in some of the world's most dangerous places. Today he is an award-winning leadership, communications and performance coach. His clients range from Australian tech start-ups to the Royal Australian Navy and the staff of Australia's largest prison. His mantra - Beyond the Expected - sums up how he works: serve your audience, connect with them, and change how they behave.
In this energetic and interactive 30-minute session, Mike turns the usual idea of communications on its head. The best presenters don't perform at their audience; they converse with them. You'll leave with practical skills to connect with and serve your audience, and show up as your best self when it matters most.
panels
The Great Semiconductor ‘Myth-Off’
Innovation myths, policy gaps & investment truths Australia’s semiconductor & deep-tech sector under the microscope.
Sovereign Stage | 9.25am
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Stef Winwood
Ruthless Ventures
Founder, Semiconductor Austraila
Stef has spent 20 years working across Australia’s deep-tech ecosystem, connecting founders, investors and industry to accelerate commercialisation and investment.
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Brenton Judge
Hendon Semiconductors
Executive General Manager of Hendon Semiconductors, leading the company’s growth, strategy and operational transformation. Leadership roles spanning Australia, Hong Kong and China.
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Hugh Durrant-White
NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer
NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer and one of Australia’s leading figures in robotics and autonomous systems. Hugh has previously served as Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Ministry of Defence, CEO of NICTA and founding Director of the Australian Centre for Field Robotics.
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Dr Jekaterina Viktorova
Syenta
CEO and Co-Founder of Syenta and inventor of its core additive manufacturing technology. Jeka is developing high-resolution copper interconnect technology to address memory-bandwidth challenges in next-gen semiconductor advanced packaging.
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Coby Hanoch
Weebit Nano (ASX:WBT)
CEO of Weebit Nano with more than 46 years’ experience across the semiconductor industry. Coby’s career spans engineering, sales and executive leadership, including senior roles at PacketLight Networks, Verisity and Jasper Design Automation
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Brian Robertson
UK Semiconductor Centre
Brian has 25 years’ international experience across telecommunications, technology and semiconductors, including Arm, Broadcom, Texas Instruments and NXP. His expertise spans AI, quantum technologies and next-gen networks.
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Joe Bedewi
Morse Micro
CFO at Morse Micro, Joe has 30 years leadership experience across semiconductor finance, operations, capital raising and strategic growth.
Australia in orbit
The economic and strategic power of building the world’s southern launchpad.
Sovereign Stage | 2.20pm
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Baxter Kirk
Bell Potter
Australia’s first dedicated defence analyst, Baxter covers key ASX defence companies, with deep expertise spanning C-UAS, autonomous systems, electronic warfare and communications. A CFA Charterholder, he has strong relationships across domestic and global institutional investors.
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Omer Granit
BluGlass / Amaero International
Founder & CEO of Millibeam, Venkata has developed high-volume RF and mmWave technologies for telecommunications and defence, with deep expertise spanning integrated circuits, radio systems and energy-efficient communications.
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Venkatta Gutta
Millibeam
Founder & CEO of Millibeam, Venkata has developed high-volume RF and mmWave technologies for telecommunications and defence, with deep expertise spanning integrated circuits, radio systems and energy-efficient communications.
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Matt A. Hill
Hypersonix Launch Systems
CEO of Hypersonix, Matt is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in commercial strategy, business transformation, capital raising and scaling high-growth companies.
Patrick Oppel
Deneb Space
Patrick is a satellite systems engineer. His experience spans satellite launch and commissioning, orbital systems and space hardware, with contributions to Waratah Seed-1, CUAVA-2, the TOLIMAN Space Telescope and Deneb Space.
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Chris Shaw
Advanced Navigation
Chris is a global leader in autonomous systems and navigation technology, AI, robotics, photonics and quantum sensing, and pioneering navigation technologies that enable autonomous systems to operate in GPS-denied environments.
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Muhammad Hanif
Aquila Space Technologies
Hanif's work spans semiconductor device design, fabrication and packaging, developing optical power conversion technologies for terrestrial and space applications.
The FutuRe we Build vs the Future we Inherit: A national debate on agency, ambition and national courage.
Sovereign Stage | 5.00pm
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Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM
Chair, AMRF
Former Chief Scientist
Patron Semiconductor Australia
Cathy Foley is a passionate advocate for Australia’s semiconductor sector, championing national capability and stronger connections between Australia’s deep-tech companies and the people who can help them scale.
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Corrie McLeod
InnovationAus.com
Publisher of InnovationAus.com, Corrie founded Espresso Communications and Innovation Advisory and has built InnovationAus into an independent voice covering Australian technology, public policy and business innovation.
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Prof Johanna Weaver
Tech Policy Design Institute
Johanna is a leading technology policy expert and former Australian diplomat. She previously served as Australia’s independent expert and chief cyber negotiator to the United Nations.
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Mark Luo
Quantum Brilliance
Before co-founding Quantum Brilliance, Mark led several commercialization and venture investments at CSIRO ON, Global Private Capital at QIC, and Credit Suisse Asia’s technology banking sector.
Gavin Ezekowitz
BFA Global
Co-Founder of BFA Global Investors, Jonathan brings an investor perspective to the debate on Australia’s technology and innovation landscape.
Stef Winwood
Ruthless Ventures
Founder, Semiconductor Austraila
Stef has spent 20 years working across Australia’s deep-tech ecosystem, connecting founders, investors and industry to accelerate commercialisation and investment.
Growth & Transformation takes more than money
Who you need to work with and how you tell your tech story.
Catalyst Stage | 9.35am
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Michael Falk
IP Australia
Chief Economist at IP Australia, Michael brings extensive experience in economics, research and strategic analysis. His career spans government, academia and industry, with a particular focus on translating evidence into policy and commercial opportunity.
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Anna Gurevich
Semiconductor Sector Bureau (S3B)
Anna specialises in talent development, industry engagement, strategic partnerships, delivering large-scale programs and building domestic and international relationships that connect people, industry and emerging opportunities.
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Jonathan Lacey
Cruxes Innovations
Co-Founder and Partner at Cruxes Innovation, Jonathan began his career in physical science and engineering research before spending a decade in Silicon Valley. His work now focuses on research translation and improving the pathways that turn breakthrough ideas into commercial impact.
James Aitken
CMC Microsystems
Business Development Manager at CMC Microsystems, James works across Canada’s semiconductor, microelectronics, photonics and quantum ecosystem.
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Dr Phil Burns
Wrays IP
Phil is a Patent Attorney protecting and commercialising breakthrough technologies across semiconductors, photonics, quantum and deep tech. With a PhD in Physics and deep semiconductor IP experience, he combines technical expertise with international patent strategy.
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Rama Maria Razy
Ruthless Ventures
Rama is a strategic communications executive working with deep-tech founders to translate complex technologies into compelling investment narratives, helping companies articulate their value, engage investors and build market confidence.
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Marc Kennis
Pitt Street Research
Marc is Managing Director at Pitt Street Research. A former Head of Institutional Research, he has deep expertise communicating investment ideas to institutional investors across technology, telecoms, medtech, biotech and industrials.
Funding the strategic flip back to harDware
Why the next wave of technology investment is moving beyond software and back into hardware.
Catalyst Stage | 12.05pm
Dr David Rowe
Pacific Channel
David is Regional Partner at Pacific Channel and has previously held investment and innovation roles at 1835i, Uniseed and Microsoft, bringing deep experience in turning emerging technologies into scalable businesses.
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Dr Melina Georgousakis
Scientist, angel investor
Melina is a scientist, social entrepreneur and angel investor. Founder of Franklin Women, she brings deep expertise in how capital, partnerships and influence can support Australian innovation, particularly across health, women’s health and high-impact technologies.
Laura Earl
Open Instruments
COO of Open Instruments and an angel investor, Laura has spent almost 15 years supporting Sydney’s startup ecosystem. She helps deep-tech founders turn complex technologies into investable and scalable businesses.
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Archie Judd
Salus Ventures
Archie is part of the Investment Team at Salus Ventures. Previously, he worked at IQ Capital, one of Europe's leading deep tech funds, with companies in AI, robotics, cybersecurity and novel materials.
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Ulric Ferner
Right Click Capital
Deep-tech VC investor focussed on frontier AI, biotech, quantum and semiconductors. Ulric is a former founder and scientist, previously worked at BCG, and holds a PhD from MIT.
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Andrew Minett
Technology and Innovation Specialist
Andrew is a materials scientist and engineer. His expertise spans intelligent materials, nanoelectronics, battery and hydrogen technologies, with extensive experience translating materials science into real-world industrial applications.
the investors and leaders putting Nex-gen deep-tech companies to the tesT
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Giles Bourne
Scalare Partners
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Scalare Partners. Previously spent 13 years leading BluGlass (ASX:BLG) and has extensive experience investing in and supporting early-stage technology companies
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Rishi Krish
Quantum Australia
Rishi specialises in translating deep-tech research into commercial and opportunities, with a focus on advanced and quantum technologies. His experience spans start-ups, technology transfer, consulting and early-stage investment.
Jeffrey Bourne
UniSeed
Investment Manager at Uniseed, Jeffrey works with research organisations to turn R&D into new products and ventures. He previously led science and technology innovation initiatives within Defence.
Dr Melina Georgousakis
Scientist, angel investor
Melina is a scientist, social entrepreneur and angel investor. Founder of Franklin Women, she brings deep expertise in how capital, partnerships and influence can support Australian innovation, particularly across health, women’s health and high-impact technologies.
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Mike Nicholls
Main Sequence
Partner at Main Sequence, Mike helps founders turn deep-tech innovation into commercial opportunities. He supports investments across semiconductors, AI, energy and health.
Laura Earl
Open Instruments
COO of Open Instruments and an angel investor, Laura has spent almost 15 years supporting Sydney’s startup ecosystem. She helps deep-tech founders turn complex technologies into investable and scalable businesses.
Dr David Rowe
Pacific Channel
David is Regional Partner at Pacific Channel and has previously held investment and innovation roles at 1835i, Uniseed and Microsoft, bringing deep experience in turning emerging technologies into scalable businesses.
Archie Judd
Salus Ventures
Archie is part of the Investment Team at Salus Ventures. Previously, he worked at IQ Capital, one of Europe's leading deep tech funds, with companies in AI, robotics, cybersecurity and novel materials.
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Mike Kulikov
Radium Capital
Executive at Radium Capital, Mike works with innovators, directors and CFOs navigating the funding challenges of start-ups and scale-ups. A former EdTech founder, he now helps innovative companies access funding through their R&D tax refunds.
Ulric Ferner
Right Click Capital
Deep-tech VC investor focussed on frontier AI, biotech, quantum and semiconductors. Ulric is a former founder and scientist, previously worked at BCG, and holds a PhD from MIT.
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Nicholas Ooi
Investible
Nicholas is an Investor Manager at Investible, an early-stage venture capital firm backing pre-seed to Series A technology startups across ANZ and Southeast Asia.
Andrew Minett
Technology and Innovation Specialist
Andrew is a materials scientist and engineer. His expertise spans intelligent materials, nanoelectronics, battery and hydrogen technologies, with extensive experience translating materials science into real-world industrial applications.