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Stake cofounder Matt Leibowitz resigns as CEO

- January 12, 2024 2 MIN READ

The cofounder of Stake, Matt Leibowitz, has resigned as CEO, having led the digital broker since its launch in 2017. He will move to executive director and continue to work on the platform’s product and business strategy. Leibowitz will be replaced by the company’s new chief commercial officer, Jon Howie, who joined the business in… Read more »

Chris Vein
People

Chris Vein, CEO of ACS, is stepping down

- December 5, 2023 2 MIN READ

Chris Vein, the self-confessed American “Australophile” and former White House, and World Bank executive who became CEO of the Australian Computer Society (ACS) following its most turbulent period, is stepping down after 18 months in the role. ACS announced it “regrets” that Vein will retire at the end of the year for personal/health reasons.  “As… Read more »

Sam Altman
People

What the firing of Sam Altman from OpenAI means for the future of artificial intelligence

- November 21, 2023 4 MIN READ

On Friday, OpenAI’s high-flying chief executive Sam Altman was unexpectedly fired by the company’s board. Co-founder and chief technology officer Greg Brockman was also removed as the board president, after which he promptly resigned. In an unexpected twist, talks began today about potentially reinstating Altman in some capacity following an outpouring of industry and investor… Read more »

Didier Elzinga Culture Amp
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Culture Amp’s Didier Elzinga wins Pearcey Foundation’s entrepreneur award as Wisetech Global’s Richard White joins Hall of Fame

- October 31, 2023 2 MIN READ

Macquarie Technology Group cofounders David and Aidan Tudehope have been honoured as the 2023 Pearcey Medallists for their life’s work in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. The annual awards, named after the late ICT industry pioneer Dr Trevor Pearcey, celebrated their 25th anniversary by inducting engineer Professor Jean Armstrong and WiseTech Global founder… Read more »

Silicon Quantum Computing founder Michelle Simmons
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UNSW quantum founder Michelle Simmons wins $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science

- October 17, 2023 2 MIN READ

Silicon Quantum Computing founder Professor Michelle Simmons has won the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for her pioneering work in the cutting edge sector. The awards were announced by prime minister Anthony Albanese, with scientists working in biotechnology and teaching also recognised. It’s a lucrative win for Simmons, who receives $250,000 as part of the… Read more »

Dr Katherine Woodthorpe & Sally-Ann Williams
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Cicada Innovations names Dr Katherine Woodthorpe as its first female chair

- September 28, 2023 3 MIN READ

Cicada Innovations has appointed Dr Katherine Woodthorpe as its new chair, the first woman to lead the board in the 23-year history of the Sydney-based deep tech incubator. The non-executive director (NED) replaces Andrew Rothery after nearly eight years in the role. Dr Woodthorpe has more than three decades of experience in commercialising technologies across a broad… Read more »

James and Robbie Ferguson
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LinkedIn picks crypto gaming platform and wooly mammoth meatball maker among Australia’s top 3 startups

- September 28, 2023 7 MIN READ

As lists go, LinkedIn’s annual compilation of Australia’s top 20 startups is certainly a conversation starter. The find-a-job social media site has trawled through its own data, looking at four key parameters, including employee growth, jobseeker interest and how well startups lured talent away from LinkedIn’s own “Top Companies” list, to select crypto-based online gaming marketplace… Read more »

Taryn Wiilliams, Martin Karafilis, Samantha Martin-Williams
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Taryn Williams and Samantha Martin-Williams join Fishburners board

- September 14, 2023 2 MIN READ

Fishburners has appointed Taryn Williams and Samantha Martin Williams to the board of the Early-stage startup community hub. They replace Jacqui Feeney, who leaves to become CEO of Screen Queensland, and Andrew Thornton, whose term has expired.   Taryn Williams is the founder and CEO of theright.fit and WINK Models, and entrepreneurship thought leader.  Fishburners CEO… Read more »

Bill Gates
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Bill Gates explains why philanthropy matters when you’re successful in tech in a new podcast with Daniel Petre

- August 24, 2023 < 1 MIN READ

StartGiving, the not-for-profit organisation inspiring a new culture of giving in the Australian innovation community, has launched a podcast and vodcast series for tech founders looking to start or scale their giving. Hosted by StartGiving founder and chair Daniel Petre and CEO Antonia Ruffell, the series features leaders in the tech and philanthropy spaces generously… Read more »

Monash Prof Ann Nicholson, ASA Head Enrico Palermo, NISA boss Prof Chris Lawrence, US Consul General Kathleen Lively and the NISA students
People

To Dark Emu & beyond: 5 Indigenous uni students land NASA internships

- August 14, 2023 2 MIN READ

Five Indigenous Australian university students will head to the United States next week for internships with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The students are part of the inaugural cohort of Monash University’s National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA), selected from universities across Australia and supported by the Australian Space Agency. The students will be partnered with a… Read more »

Daniel-Petre StartGiving
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AirTree founding partner Daniel Petre appointed to the $15bn National Reconstruction Fund board

- August 10, 2023 2 MIN READ

The Albanese government has appointed venture capitalist and philanthropist Airtree cofounder Daniel Petre to the board of its $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund to be chaired by climate investor Martijn Wilder, founder and CEO of Pollination. The eight-member board for the government’s signature investment project also includes Invest Victoria chair Ahmed Fahour, MD of Latitude… Read more »