Sponsors

BioAngels Inc has partnered up with a number of professional organisations and institutes, who sponsor the activities of BioAngels Inc.  Partnership with BioAngels Inc provides a number of benefits, including: promotion and exposure of your business activities, exposure to investment deals and new technology developments as well as potential business developments.  To find out how to become a partner or sponsor of BioAngels Inc, please contact us and a sponsorship package, tailored for your organisation will be discussed. All enquiries should be directed to csteeb@bioangels.org

Innovate SA (formerly the SA Centre for Innovation) is an independent incorporated organisation that targets innovative emerging, transforming and transitioning businesses with a range of advice and support programs and services to help them grow.

Innovate SA brings together the previous operations and activities of the SA Centre for Innovation, Venture Capital SA, Growing Global Companies Programs and Business Sustainability Alliance.

Mike Richards

Mike Richards is manager of the Innovate SA City Office.  Innovate SA has been established as an independent stand alone incorporated body outside of government to deliver programs and services to South Australian SMEs that have the capability and desire to grow. 

 Mike has extensive experience is assisting high growth businesses in South Australia by helping make them investor ready, globally competitive, innovative and strategic thinking.Mike has led the development of the Venture Capital programs delivered by Innovate SA. These programs have assisted many South Australian companies become investor ready.  Mike works closely with investors across Australia to facilitate deals with companies and further develop the investment community in South Australia.  Mike has been involved in the formation of and is a member of the management committee for of the business angels group SA Angels Inc.  Mike was previously manager of Venture Capital SA and Principal Investment Manager with Science Technology Innovation Directorate.  Other prior roles have included health industry development manager at the Centre for Innovation, Business and Manufacturing, Manager of the small business program, Corporate Investigator and Corporate Services Manager at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Mike has received 2 Australia Day awards for work achievements in his roles at Venture Capital SA and ASIC.    

Mike holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree, is CPA qualified, is Vice President of the CPA Divisional Council and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

 

BioInnovation SA was established in June 2001 to accelerate development of South Australia’s bioscience sector.  Its mission is to enable the creation of 50 new bioscience companies and 2500 jobs by 2010.

The BioInnovation Sa team works with the bioscience community using a synergistic approach to industry development focusing on a range of commercial activities.

The team offers:

• High-level business development advice Assistance with managing and leveraging government grants Assistance with funding (from public and private sources) Infrastructure development support

• Marketing and communication services

Bio Innovation SA manage the BioSA Incubator, a business incubator purpose-built for early stage bioscience companies. Located at the Thebarton Bioscience Precinct in Adelaide, this modern facility provides companies with flexible office and laboratory space, access to shared facilities, including a conference centre and cafe and provides direct access to Bio Innovation SA’s services. The BioSA Incubator is the first building of a new 4.8ha expansion of the Thebarton Bioscience Precinct, also managed by Bio Innovation SA. This new section of the Precinct offers land for development by companies in the bioscience industry.

The Thebarton Bioscience Precinct is one of the largest clusters of bioscience companies in Australia.  Covering a total of 7ha, the Thebarton Bioscience Precinct is conveniently located just 3km from the central business district of Adelaide, and 4km to Adelaide International Airport. It forms part of a 12ha bioscience and advanced technology hub in collaboration with the adjacent University of Adelaide Research Park. The area houses more than 20 of South Australia’s bioscience companies.

Jurgen Michaelis

Jurgen Michaelis is the CEO and Board member of Bio Innovation SA (since 2001). Jurgen has raised significant capital funding for biotechnology companies in South Australia.  He is responsible for the management of the Thebarton Bioscience Precinct and also the BioSA Incubator, a business incubator dedicated to the South Australian bioscience industry.  He has worked internationally at the highest corporate and government levels and has held board positions in private and public organisations.

Jurgen reports to the Minister of Science & Information Economy.  He is the founder and chairman of the investment committee of Terra Rossa Capital and is a member on several boards including Austofix Pty Ltd (manufacturer of orthopaedic implants) and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Advisory Council.  Jurgen is an appointed business ambassador of South Australia by the Premier.

Neil Finlayson

Neil Finlayson is the Business Development Director of Bio Innovation SA, a South Australian Government Corporation formed in 2001 to foster and grow the bioscience industry in the State.  Neil is based in Adelaide and Brisbane and has extensive experience in banking and finance, JVs, partnering and licensing, and in company formations.  During his career, Neil has licensed technologies to national and international biotech and pharmaceutical companies and been instrumental in the formation of 17 companies.

Prior to joining Bio Innovation SA, Neil was the Commercial Director of Griffith University for 2 years and he previously held the position of CEO of Vaccine Solutions Pty Ltd (co-owned by CSL Limited and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research) for 3.5 years.  Neil began his career spending 7 years as a money market dealer with Westpac Banking Corporation and then 4 years as the Executive Officer for the CRC for Vaccine Technology (a $42M joint venture).

Neil was formerly Director of the PGA International Golf Institute Pty Ltd (a joint venture between the PGA of Australia and Griffith University), which he helped establish in 2005.

 

Playford Capital is a corporate member of BioAngles.

Playford Capital invests seed capital in early-stage South Australian companies.  We provide funding, advice and contacts for technology-based businesses in a broad range of industries. The fund invests in a broad range of software, electronics and online businesses including medtch investments in Signostics Pty Ltd (hand-held medical devices) and Reproductive Health Sciences Pty Ltd (pre-natal screening of chromosomal disorders). Other investments include Cavitus Pty Ltd (food and beverage processing), e-channel online Pty Ltd (search engine marketing) Moveit Pty Ltd (web-based freight management and Waterfind Pty Ltd (online water rights trading).  Playford Capital is a recirculating fund with recent exits from Maxamine Inc (web analytics) and DSpace Pty. Ltd (satellite technology) providing more funds for investment.

Amanda Heyworth

Amanda Heyworth is the Chief Executive Officer of the Playford Capital technology seed fund.  Prior to joining Playford in 2001, Amanda co-founded a software company and worked as an accountant, investment banker and economic adviser in finances in Australia and the United States.  Amanda has qualifications in finance, and MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management and has taught marketing for the AGSM.  She is a Senior Fellow of the Financial Service Institute of Australasia, a Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia and a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors.  Amanda is a director of Playford Capital Pty. Ltd., Savings & Loans Credit Union and Moveit Pty  Ltd.,

Andrew Bollen

Andrew Bollen is an Investment Manager at Playford Capital.  Originally a computer sciences PhD, Andrew has since accumulated more than 15 years experiences working in high technology R&D, start up management, investment banking, portfolio management and venture investing in Australia, the US and Asia.  He has played a key role in raising substantial fund for start-ups, serving on their boards, helping to manage their growth, structuring and negotiating public and private transactions.  Andrew is a director of Cavitus Pty Ltd. and Reproductive Health Sciences Pty Ltd.

 

Madderns is a leading Australian patent and trade mark attorney firm based in Adelaide. Founded in 1968, the firm provides specialist advice and assistance to many clients on all aspects of intellectual property (IP) law. Madderns specialises particularly in securing patents, tradmarks and design rights, both in Australia and overseas. Madderns has a dedicated Life Sciences Group with experience in a wide range of technical areas including biochemistry, bioinformatics, cell biology, immunology, microbiology, microscopy, molecular biology, nanobiotechnology, pharmaceuticals including drug design, plant science, therapeutics, vaccines, and virology.

 

Shingleback  is a single estate, family owned winery that completely controls all aspects of production from growing the fruit on their own McLaren Vale vineyard, to the winemaking and bottling process. Brothers John (Winemaker & Director) & Kym Davey (Managing Director) are supported by a loyal, long serving and dedicated team. The family estate within South Australia’s McLaren Vale dates back to 1957. Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon are the predominant varieties, with smaller plantings of Chardonnay & Semillon.

Shingleback debuted with the 1998 vintage and has earned significant acclaim both within Australia and internationally since.  Award highlights include the 2006 Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy.  Shingleback supplies a range of quality red and white wines to support the BioAngels member’s meetings.  For further information view www.shingleback.com.au