The NSW Small Business Innovation & Research (SBIR) Program Expert Panel provides expert advice and guidance in designing the SBIR program, refining the challenges, and assessing and recommending applications for funding. The comprises senior academic and business leaders with extensive experience in innovation and technology commercialisation.
Mr David Shein. David is a founding partner of OUR Innovation Fund. He has founded, mentored and invested in numerous startups, leading to many successful launches, including ZipMoney, CalReply, Latam Autos, RangeMe, Pocketbook, Centric Wealth, MacromatiX and Holly Connects. David serves on the boards of some exciting Australian startups including Kasada, Advanced Navigation and Simpology, and is Non-Executive Chairman of MOQdigital. Previously, David founded ComTech Communications, which sold for over $1 billion.
Ms Sally-Ann Williams. Sally-Ann is the CEO of Cicada Innovations and leads Australia’s pioneering deep tech incubator, building companies which are solving the world's most pressing problems through science and engineering. Prior to joining Cicada Innovations she spent over 12 years at Google as an Executive Program Manager. Sally-Ann is an experienced Non-Executive board member currently serving on the boards of Cicada Innovations, Biz Capital and AusOcean, and was formerly a Non-Executive Director of World Vision Australia and Fishburners.
Mr David Burt. David is the Director of Entrepreneurship at UNSW Sydney where he leads UNSW Founders, a program that helps students, scientists and alumni to create startups from their ideas and research. David is also the Non-Executive Chairman of RapidAIM, and a Non-Executive Director at Cicada Innovations and the Planet Ark Environmental Foundation. Prior to joining UNSW Sydney David was the Executive Manager of Innovation at CSIRO, where he co-founded and led the ON Program.
Ms Kylie Hargreaves. Kylie is the Chair of the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity, a board member of Regional Development Australia and a Beachhead Advisor for New Zealand Trade & Enterprise. Kylie has over 25 years’ experience as a senior executive working for Australian and State Governments, including Austrade in the UK, USA and Spain. Kylie's key responsibilities have been to drive economic growth through the identification of innovative business models and new market opportunities.
Professor Mike Briers. Mike is the founding CEO of Food Agility CRC, a $150 million innovation hub with 30 private sector, government and research partners. Mike is a co-founder and Director of the Australian AgriTech Association and Internet of Things Alliance Australia. He is an active venture builder and investor in global innovation, with his pioneering efforts in fintech and e-research leading to the success of SIRCA, RoZetta, Capital Markets CRC and The Yield.