The Investment Committee
Current Members
David Gaul (Chairman)
Tim Hirst
Mike Hirshorn OAM
Mike Hirshorn OAM is currently Director of Kestrel Capital and Nanyang Innovation Fund and has over 25 years of experience of commercializing Australian technology and building internationally successful companies. Mike has degrees in Medicine, Business and Finance and significant expertise in all operational areas from Research and Development to Intellectual Property, International Marketing and Sales, Regulatory Affairs and Manufacturing. Mike has particular expertise in the commercialisation of Medical Devices and has played a major role in the development of Cochlear especially internationally. In 1988 he won the BRW Businessman of the Year- Technology for establishing Cochlear in the USA and Europe. Subsequently he successfully established Cochlear in Japan. Mike was also a Director of Resmed now listed on the NYSE and was later Chief Executive - Marketing Polartechnics listed on the ASX. Mike has served on many Federal and State Advisory committees, most recently the IT & T and Biological Committees of the Department of Industry, START Program, and the Intellectual Property Research Institute of Australia.
In 2004 Mike was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to medical technology through the development of strategies for product commercialisation.
Past Members
Michael Panaccio - Starfish Ventures, Investment Principal
Brigitte Smith - GBS Venture Partners, Partner