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
Gerry Cawson is a Partner at Minter Ellison Lawyers. Gerry is an experienced, commercially focused solicitor and has worked for top tier law firms in Europe, Asia and Australia. With over 15 years experience working almost exclusively in corporate and commercial law, Gerry has significant experience in advising on all stages of the private equity life cycle, from fund instigation and fundraising through to investments and exits. He also has a particular focus on advising on the legal and regulatory issues impacting on actions and organisation of angel investor groups, including issues relating to Australian Financial Services Licences, disclosure documents and risks in relation to syndication of investment opportunities.
In addition to specialising on private equity transactions, Gerry has a track record of advising companies on their daily operations, fund raising (including financial services issues), mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, privatisations, restructuring and commercial operations and agreements.
Bio Innovation 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:
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High-level business development advice Assistance with managing and leveraging government grants Assistance with funding (from public and private sources) Infrastructure development support
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 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.
Venture Capital SA is a division of the South Australian government’s Department of Trade & Economic Development working closely with the Centre for Innovation. Venture Capital SA is continuing the work commenced by the Venture Capital Board and with a mandate to:
increase the supply of private equity in South Australia
provide access to training and services to enable entrepreneurs & their companies to become investor ready and to access capital for growth and development
Influence a culture of innovation and business development.
Venture Capital SA's training program for entrepreneurs and companies looking to be ready to meet with investors is called the Equity Ready Program. It has also supported the training and education of private equity fund managers and business angels. Venture Capital SA is a member of AVCAL and the Australian Association of Angel Investors.
Mike Richards
Mike Richards is the Manager of Venture Capital SA, Department of Trade & Economic Development. Prior to joining venture Capital SA (and its predecessor Office of the Venture Capital Board), Mike held positions in policy devlopment with DFEEST’s Science and Technology Directorate, developing investment cases for SA Synchrotron, an SA commercialisation fund and medical research institute. Mike has been the health industry development Manager at the Centre for Innovation Business and Manufacturing, with a focus on supporting the growth of health and medical device companies in SA. Prior to this, Mike was the small business program manager at the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, undertaking corporate investigations and delivering ASIC’s small business education programs. Mike has qualifications in accounting, and is a member of CPA Australia’s Divisional Council and SME committee. Mike is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Mike has strong affinity with economic development for South Australia, particularly supporting entrepreneurs and investors.
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