The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview Series 
About Rohan McDougall
Rohan McDougall is Executive Director, Commercialisation at Curtin University, where his team turns university research into products and services through technology transfer partnerships and startups. Since September 2023 he has also been Director of the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer, a Curtin-led program with partner teams at The University of Queensland and James Cook University.
He joined Curtin in December 2008 after serving as chief operating officer of biotech company Biosignal, and has worked in technology commercialisation for more than 30 years, including with companies such as iCetana and REX Ortho. He holds a Bachelor of Science and an MBA from the AGSM, and co-founded community events including West Tech Fest.
On The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem interview series, he discussed the dot-com era, Curtin's startup programs and Western Australia's reliance on mining.
In conversation.
1 episode
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview Series Go straight to the good bits.
Key moments from Rohan McDougall highlights the current risks to Western Australia’s economy.
- 0:31Meet Rohan McDougall
- 0:51Rohan's Background in the Startup Ecosystem
- 2:02Overview of Technology Commercialization
- 3:59Changes in the Startup Ecosystem Over 20 Years
- 6:34Variation and Interest in Commercialization
- 7:55The Dot-com Era and Its Impact
- 9:38The Emergence of the App Economy
- 10:28Landscape of the Startup Community in Early 2000s
- 11:25Rohan's Role at Curtin University
- 12:05Expansion of Startup Thinking at Curtin
In their own words.
“We don't pick winners, we let winners pick themselves.”
The path so far.
- Now
Executive Director, Commercialisation · Curtin University
- Until 2008
Chief Operating Officer · Biosignal
Sources: innovationaus.com
Curtin University on Day One
Curtin University is a public university based in Perth, Western Australia, with its main campus at Bentley and further campuses in Perth city and Kalgoorlie.
1 person · 1 episode
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Spot something wrong? Suggest a correctionUpdated 29 October 2026
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