Queensland Chief Entrepreneur

About the QCE

The Queensland Chief Entrepreneur works with Advance Queensland to promote innovative entrepreneurship and investment.

The role of the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur is to:

• support the development of Queensland’s startup ecosystem by working with incubators, accelerators and coworking spaces
• connect with regional Queensland to encourage state-wide entrepreneurship
• showcase Queensland entrepreneurial talent to local, national and international audiences
• attract local, national and international investment and venture capital
• support local entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses by connecting them with opportunities, people and spaces to help them grow and create jobs.

The role of the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur

Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur makes a significant impact to the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Queensland. From helping founders take their first steps to get their business off the ground — to working with government and industry to identify valuable problems that can be solved with innovation — to connecting talent to companies and creating a supportive environment.

Former Queensland Chief Entrepreneurs

• Julia Spicer (2022–2024)
• Wayne Gerard (2021–2022)
• Leanne Kemp (2018–2020)
• Steve Baxter (2017–2018)
• Mark Sowerby (2016–2017)

The Innovation Advisory Council (IAC)

The Innovation Advisory Council (IAC) was established to champion innovation, connect ecosystem stakeholders, attract investment and build the resource base for accelerating innovation.

This will be achieved through entrepreneurial action across Queensland for better community and economic outcomes.

The IAC, together with the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur, maximise the support available to help open doors to the expertise and networks our innovation community needs to succeed.

Council members are appointed for up to two years and their positions on the Council are unpaid.

The Innovation Advisory Council includes:

• Peter Ball
• Georgia Barkell
• Craig Baillie
• Nicole Dyson
• Nicole Forrester
• Sharon Hunneybell
• Anne Lawrence
• Kalair McArthur
• Miranda Mears
• Brad Parsons
• Dr Chad Renando
• Terry Woodcroft

Council members are appointed for up to two years and their positions on the Council are unpaid.