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Chad Renando

Chair at GEN Australia · Former at Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN)

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Chad Renando

About Chad Renando

Chad Renando chairs GEN Australia, the Australian arm of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, which he previously led as managing director. He is also director of Startup Status, a not-for-profit that maps and measures innovation ecosystems so that governments, universities and corporates can better support entrepreneurs, particularly in regional Australia.

His research looks at how innovation hubs and entrepreneurial ecosystems build resilience in regional communities. He has been a research fellow at QUT's Australian Centre for Entrepreneurship Research, where he managed the 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor study for Australia, and at the University of Southern Queensland. Earlier he ran Fire Station 101, the Ipswich innovation hub, and a digital agency.

In Day One's History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem interview series, he set out what makes a strong ecosystem.

Talks about
Startup Lessons

In conversation.

3 episodes

Start hereChad Renando talks definitions of a strong ecosystemHis full interview, on regional ecosystems, 'innovation theatre' and why resilience matters more than growth.

Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem

The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem - Part 5

Recorded as Managing Director, Global Entrepreneurship Network Australia

With Mark Pesce, Steve Grace, Eloise Hall, Isobel Marshall, Darryl Lyons, Megan Sebben, Phil Ireland, Wayne Gerard, Sam Jockel, Samantha Finnegan, Arthur Sinodinos, Peter Devine, Tim Fung, Peter Tippett, Trevor Folsom, Dean McEvoy, Moira Were, Kate Jones, Daniel Flynn, Mick Liubinskas, Peter Bradd, Rachael Neumann, Annie Parker, Aaron Birkby, Rachel Yang, Melissa Widner, Sarah Pearson, Colin Kinner, Lauren Capelin, Bruce Tulloch, Matt Barrie, Kate Cornick, Cheryl Mack, Andrea Gardiner, Niki Scevak

Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem

The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem - Part 6

With Leslie Delaforce, Darryl Lyons, Megan Sebben, Wayne Gerard, Nicole O'Brien, Alex Carpenter, Evan Thornley, Baden U'Ren, Tim Fung, Trevor Folsom, Peter Davison, Craig Swann, Moira Were, Colette Grgic, Allan O'Connor, Rachael Neumann, Annie Parker, Brendan Hill, Aaron Birkby, Malcolm Turnbull, Jodie Fox, Susan Oliver, Silvia Pfeiffer, Yolanda Redrup, Andrew Nunn, Melissa Widner, Alfred Lo, Sarah Pearson, Phil Hayes-St Clair, Colin Kinner, Lauren Capelin, Matt Barrie, Kate Cornick, Cheryl Mack, Andrea Gardiner, Niki Scevak

Go straight to the good bits.

Key moments from Chad Renando talks definitions of a strong ecosystem.

  1. 0:24Meet Chad Renando
  2. 0:31Chad's Background and Roles
  3. 1:10The Role of the University in Supporting Innovation
  4. 1:44Overview of Startup Status
  5. 2:07Queensland's Unique Entrepreneurial Strengths
  6. 2:45Chad's Entry into Startup Land
  7. 3:14The Opening of River City Labs
  8. 5:00Unpopular Opinions about the Ecosystem
  9. 7:10Accountability in the Ecosystem
  10. 10:07Defining a Strong Startup Ecosystem

In their own words.

“Entrepreneurship cannot fail if it's funded by an entity that needs to get re-elected.”
Chad Renando — Chad Renando talks definitions of a strong ecosystemThe History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview Series · 17 April 2022

GEN Australia on Day One

GEN Australia (Global Entrepreneurship Network Australia) is the Australian national affiliate of the Global Entrepreneurship Network.

1 person · 3 episodes

Across the network.

Spot something wrong? Suggest a correctionUpdated 29 October 2026

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