Final Agenda & Judges for this weekends Azure DevCamp in Brisbane

We have locked in the final agenda and judges for this weekends Azure BizSpark Dev Camp. Its going to be a cracker of a 3 days and I can’t wait! This event is going to be an opportunity to not just get hands on technical training but with the added bonus of learning from Industry figureheads as they share their great business sessions, technical assistance for experts, and the chance to also network with representatives from Incubators, Investors, university, Government and Industry.

Will this be our biggest event yet?

Agenda

Day 2

Day 3

Speakers

Steven Nagy

Senior Consultant- Readify

Steven joined Readify in 2008 and has been working in the IT industry since 1999. With a Bachelor in IT and a Masters in eCommerce, Steven has performed in a variety of IT roles before making the shift to development, a life-long held interest that was discovered at the age of 9.More recently Steven has become a technical specialist in the Windows Azure Platform. Steven began .Net development in Windows Forms and hand held devices before moving into ASP.NET and associated web technologies. He has worked as a Lead Developer twice before joining Readify and is passionate about people and processes. He is a Microsoft Certified Professional, a Certified Scrum Master, and in 2010 was awarded a Microsoft MVP in Windows Azure, one of only two in the southern hemisphere.

http://azure.snagy.name/blog/

Timothy Sheehan

Queensland University of Technology Innovation Space

In Tim’s own words:

“I have been lucky enough to have had many interesting jobs my limited lifetime, but nothing as exciting as my current position as the Managing Director of Vera Biotech. The company, which spun out of the Medical University of South Carolina, has a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. I collaborate with the Queensland University of Technology Innovation Space where I help creative people develop influential pitches. Presenting is more than my work; it's my hobby. I present weekly to the Rotary Club and fortnightly to Toastmasters too. Opportunities are all around us and the right pitch is sure to open the right doors”

Tim will provide great insight into what it means to pitch as a start-up and how to capture the hearts and minds of potential investors and accelerators.

Chris Collet

Director- Queensland University of Technology Innovation Space

Chris Collet is the Director of the QUT Innovation Space, set up to provide support to develop and progress initial concept ideas towards real-world products or services. QIS offers opportunities for people to expand their commercialisation and creative skills. Chris is also the Associate Professor of the Faculty of Science and Technology, CELS Portfolio (Chemical, Earth and Life Sciences) in Cell and Molecular Biosciences. Chris spent over 30 years researching the molecular biology of organisms as divergent as microalgae, bananas, marsupials, birds, fish and fruit fly. During his years as a research scientist, Chris saw many innovative discoveries progress no further than the laboratory bench. This prompted Chris to develop an entrepreneurship education program in biotechnology that targeted graduates to the commercialisation and technology transfer sector. In recognition, Chris has received two University and three national teaching awards including a prestigious Teaching Fellowship from the Australian Teaching and Learning Council. Aims of the ALTC Fellowship are to examine best practice examples of entrepreneurship education programs in non-business schools and to distil skills requirements in different innovation contexts. Chris provides an interesting view on innovation and entrepreneurship and the processes of which a Start-Up must go through in order to be successful.

www.qutinnovationspace.com

Colin Kinner

CEO- I-Lab

Colin is the CEO of I-labs, a technology incubator that helps new technology start-ups become successful businesses. Colin has over fifteen years’ experience in the formation, financing and growth of technology-based start-ups Australia and the UK. His experience includes strategy development, business planning, raising equity capital and providing training and mentoring to entrepreneurs.

His career has included roles in big-four consulting firms, corporate finance/capital raising, and early stage investment as Head of Funds Management at Imperial College Innovations in London, where he managed a seed fund with a portfolio of 36 early stage investments.

Colin has also spent several years working with entrepreneurs in the local research sector, having held senior roles in companies that specialise in commercialisation at The University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology. He has been a director of a number of successful technology-based start-up companies, including UK-based laser imaging company Holoscan Limited and Brisbane-based hydrogen storage company Hydrexia Pty Ltd.

Colin joined ilab as Chief Executive Officer in May 2010 and holds a BSc (Hons) and an MBA. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Colin will provides unique insight into what an accelerator or potential investor is looking for in a Start-Up.

http://www.ilab.com.au/

Judges

Steven Nagy

Readify- Senior Consultant

Steven joined Readify in 2008 and has been working in the IT industry since 1999. With a Bachelor in IT and a Masters in eCommerce, Steven has performed in a variety of IT roles before making the shift to development, a life-long held interest that was discovered at the age of 9.More recently Steven has become a technical specialist in the Windows Azure Platform. Steven began .Net development in Windows Forms and hand held devices before moving into ASP.NET and associated web technologies. He has worked as a Lead Developer twice before joining Readify and is passionate about people and processes. He is a Microsoft Certified Professional, a Certfified Scrum Master, and in 2010 was awarded a Microsoft MVP in Windows Azure, one of only two in the southern hemisphere.

http://azure.snagy.name/blog/

Sharon Schoenborn

Microsoft- State Director for QLD, NT and Pacific Islands

As State Director, QLD/NT/Pacific Islands, Sharon Schoenborn is responsible for driving Microsoft’s overall business in the region. With a team of more than 70 staff based in Queensland and the Northern Territory, Sharon is responsible for meeting the needs of Microsoft’s customers, which include governments and businesses, as well as engagement with Microsoft partners developing leading edge technology solutions based on Microsoft’s platform.  Prior to her State Director role, Sharon was the Enterprise Partner Director for Microsoft Australia, overseeing Microsoft’s engagement with global alliance and system integrator partners helping customers realise the value of their investment in solutions based on Microsoft technology.   Ms Schoenborn joined Microsoft in April 2001 as an Organisational Consultant focused on leadership development, change management and corporate acquisitions.  Prior to Microsoft, Sharon led the international leadership development program at Great Plains Software, based in the United States.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Science Degree in Leadership Development from Minnesota State University. Sharon lives in Brisbane with her husband Robert.

Mark Fludder

ICT Business Advisor- Information Industries Bureau

Queensland Government

Mark Fludder has spent the last 7 years working for the Queensland Government’s Information Industries Bureau, as an ICT Business Advisor offering mentoring for start-up and emerging IT companies. With a Master Degrees in Marketing and Information System, Mark specialises in business and revenue modeling, development of marketing strategies, and brand development. Mark provides great insight into the industry, potential export opportunities, marketing and potential markets for Start-ups.

Colin Kinner

CEO- I-Lab

Colin is the CEO of I-labs, a technology incubator that helps new technology start-ups become successful businesses. Colin has over fifteen years’ experience in the formation, financing and growth of technology-based start-ups Australia and the UK. His experience includes strategy development, business planning, raising equity capital and providing training and mentoring to entrepreneurs. His career has included roles in big-four consulting firms, corporate finance/capital raising, and early stage investment as Head of Funds Management at Imperial College Innovations in London, where he managed a seed fund with a portfolio of 36 early stage investments.

Colin has also spent several years working with entrepreneurs in the local research sector, having held senior roles in companies that specialise in commercialisation at The University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology. He has been a director of a number of successful technology-based start-up companies, including UK-based laser imaging company Holoscan Limited and Brisbane-based hydrogen storage company Hydrexia Pty Ltd.

Colin joined ilab as Chief Executive Officer in May 2010 and holds a BSc(Hons) and an MBA. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Colin will provides unique insight into what an accelerator or potential investor is looking for in a Start-Up.

http://www.ilab.com.au/

Chris Collet

Director- Queensland University of Technology Innovation Space

Chris Collet is the Director of the QUT Innovation Space, set up to provide support to develop and progress initial concept ideas towards real-world products or services. QIS offers opportunities for people to expand their commercialisation and creative skills. Chris is also the Associate Professor
Faculty of Science and Technology, CELS Portfolio (Chemical, Earth and Life Sciences) in
Cell and Molecular Biosciences. Chris spent over 30 years researching the molecular biology of organisms as divergent as microalgae, bananas, marsupials, birds, fish and fruit fly. During his years as a research scientist, Chris saw many innovative discoveries progress no further than the laboratory bench. This prompted Chris to develop an entrepreneurship education program in biotechnology that targeted graduates to the commercialisation and technology transfer sector. In recognition, Chris has received two University and three national teaching awards including a prestigious Teaching Fellowship from the Australian Teaching and Learning Council. Aims of the ALTC Fellowship are to examine best practice examples of entrepreneurship education programs in non-business schools and to distil skills requirements in different innovation contexts. Chris provides an interesting view on innovation and entrepreneurship and the processes of which a Start-Up must go through in order to be successful.

http://www.qutinnovationspace.com/