G'day I'm Andrew
Investment & Entrepreneurship
I’ve invested and coached 300+ entrepreneurship teams across Asia Pacific. I’m currently the Managing Director of Boab AI, Australia’s most active venture investor in artificial intelligence companies with a $150m+ of investee portfolio companies.
What I Do
I’ve been entranced by entrepreneurship from a young age and have always admired founders. But it was only until my late 20’s that I had the opportunity to be a founder myself. Prior to that, I worked in financial services as an Analytics Manager.
Entrepreneurship and venture has been an equal parts challenging and thrilling journey. I believe in the transformative impacts of technology and my major interests involve helping to create sustainable tech innovation ecosystems that deliver widespread economic and social value.
I’m seeking pro bono opportunities to help pay it forwards to the community.
My work
I’ve had wide ranging experience.
Commercialisation & venture
Deakin University
I was a Venture Director at Deakin University working on translation & commercialisation.
Venture capital Program
SproutX
I was a co-founder of SproutX and the inaugural Accelerator Director and MD.
Ecosystem building, events & marketing
Agtech in Australia
While at SproutX, I helped ignite the agtech movement in Australia, building a national community.
ECOSYSTEM BUILDING, EVENTS & MARKETING
Fintech Melbourne
The ‘Centre of Fintech in Victoria’ building the fintech community and a founding member of Fintech Australia.
Fintech
FinancialAsk
A ‘Tripadvisor for Financial Advice’, launched to market with significant corporate partnerships, generating millions of dollars leads and providing upfront value to consumers.
Financial services
NAB/MLC
After graduating from university, I had a corporate career at NAB and MLC (NAB owned at the time) as an Analytics Manager creating data-driven strategies and product development. Highlights include launching a new product with $2bn+ in borrowings, implementing new credit optimisation strategies and end-to-end delivery of a groundbreaking monte carlo simulator.
Software engineering
University of Melbourne
Prior to getting into financial services and venture, I worked in various software engineering teams and also at the Melbourne University Sports Association as a project officer and later on as President. My
Interests & Skillz
I’m interested in a wide range of things and below is a list of my professional interests.
Innovation Ecosystems
I am deeply interested in innovation ecosystems, having played a pivotal role in establishing the fintech, agtech and now AI communities in Australia. Successful and sustainable innovation ecosystems requires a mix of talent, investment but vitally also, marketing, events and PR.
Venture Capital
Throughout my time in venture, I’ve done 27+ early stage deals with more to come, from Seed through to Series A. In my current role with Boab AI, I work closely with the Artesian Ventures team, Asia Pacific’s most active venture capital firm with over $450m in FUM.
Commercialisation
I’ve worked with 10+ companies to translate their research into commercial entities as an investor/services provider and also while being the Director of Ventres at Deakin University. The successful commercialisation of ‘deeptech’ is an area which I believe key to a successful future Australian economy.
Professional writing
I’ve previously written technology articles for Fairfax and over the years have maintained a number of blogs discussing startups and ventures. I continue to be interested in writing for large publications on entrepreneurial, technology and commercialisation topics.
Public speaking
I have also been a key speaker at major conference events such as the AFR Innovation Summit and have led AusTrade delegations to countries including Singapore, Thailand and Japan. I speak on topics ranging from Asian-Australian experiences, technology, AI and entrepreneurship.
Growth marketing
Professionally and in my spare time, I work on my growth marketing skills set. This includes on how to run successful marketing campaigns on low budgets via social media, SEO, in-person events and more. My focus is on continuing to expand my SaaS growth marketing skills to assist my portfolio of investee companies.
Data analytics
Prior to entering venture, I spent 7 years in predominantly analytics roles including a 3-year stint as an Analytics Manager at MLC. I maintain an interest in data science, predictive modelling and data driven optimisation strategies. These days I mainly utilise my analytics skills to drive large scale marketing campaigns.
Software engineering
I studied Software Engineering (hons) at the University of Melbourne and have a lifelong interest in software systems. I have programmed in languages such as Python, SQL, PHP and Java. I also maintain an interest in software engineering project management and best practice methods and tools for large scale software engineering projects.
Fundraising
Over the course of my career I have raised over $20m+ in operational and investment capital. I have helped companies raise $100m+ in investment capital and am a professional pitch coach, assisting high-growth companies with investment advisory and fundraising.
Reach out
I have an interest in contributing to pro-bono activities and/or providing advice in building innovation ecosystems. Reach out if this matches what you’re after.
As for any queries relating to Boab AI, please use the forms on the Boab website instead of this.