Experience

  • Existing, referenceable multi year relationships with founders and early stage companies in the Northern Territory (NT).
  • NT Innovator in Residence on first BIP program.
  • Growth expert / NT Business Acceleration Program presenter with Australian Centre for Business Growth.
  • Adviser for Commonwealth Accelerating Commercialisation Program (2011-2020).
  • Angel investor (14 investments).
  • General partner in VC fund AC Ventures.
  • Co-founded businesses in UK, Europe, Asia and Australia in media, distribution, and content; web / software (BRW Fast 100), analytics, loyalty, mental wellbeing, boutique BnB, aged care tech, agricultural consulting, wine packaging, profit optimisation.

Qualifications: electronic engineering, finance, venture capital, company directorship (GAICD)

Core values: integrity, curiosity, unity, empathy.

Special interests

  • Commercialisation of new ideas.
  • Technology, especially disruptive technology or using technology to drive growth.
  • Funding across all types, especially equity, and associated commercial terms.
  • Preparing companies to be ‘investment ready’.
  • Market research to validate the solution to customer problems.
  • Business growth through applying the right approach to the organisation, personnel, sales and marketing and financing.

Stage one services

Multiple meetings and discussions working through the problem / solution framework.

Assisting with market research and customer identification and engagement.

The following steps in summary:

  1. understand the problem potential customers have
  2. develop the solution to these problems
  3. market and customer research to validate (especially removing confirmation bias)
  4. understanding of customer behaviour when using the solution
  5. further testing of solution with customers to develop and clarify the value proposition
  6. development of pitch (via a tested flow / process which has been developed over many years.

Stage one package price: $2,000

Stage two services

Realistic plan development, challenging assumptions, and introductions to networks.

My experience is all about working with founders to determine what the MVP should look like, and help them to engage with potential customers to understand the problem, and the proposed solution.

As part of becoming investment ready, I work with companies to ensure their pitch outlines a clear pathway to the scalable production of their product.

Assistance in the development of the MVP usually requires multiple prototype iterations...I have experience in both physical products (eg single serve wine package) and software.

Stage two package price:  $1,500 per day

Please note: you must obtain a quote for stage two services and include in your innovation project plan submitted in stage one.

Contact details

DNA Innovation