Wayne Gerard
Founder, Partner Ventures at Partner Ventures (Prtnr)
Wayne Gerard is a prominent entrepreneur, investor, and company director based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He is the founder of Partner Ventures (Prtnr), an investment and advisory firm dedicated to creating a sustainable and vibrant future by investing in high-growth technology companies. Wayne's career spans various roles and industries globally, including technology, engineering, and infrastructure. He has co-founded multiple companies, including RedEye, a global enterprise SaaS company, and Waterline Projects, an engineering services firm.Wayne has been actively involved in building Queensland and Australia's innovation ecosystem, serving as Queensland's Chief Entrepreneur and contributing to numerous boards and advisory groups. He is also an Adjunct Professor in Entrepreneurship and Business at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where he mentors the next generation of entrepreneurs.In 2022, Wayne was selected as a member of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Committee, focusing on optimizing economic, social, and environmental benefits for Queensland. His educational background includes programs at Stanford University Graduate School of Business and MIT Sloan School of Management.Wayne's work is driven by a belief in the contemporary benchmarks of success, which include profit, purpose, sustainability, and impact. His mission is to support high-performing leaders and teams in building global businesses that address some of the world's most pressing challenges.
In their own words
From Wayne Gerard says attracting talent into the startup ecosystem is “mission critical” · The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview SeriesYou can't force this stuff. Founders are going to do what founders do.
Career
- Now Founder, Partner Ventures · Partner Ventures (Prtnr)
- 2012–2023 · Scale-up Co-founder & CEO · RedEye
- Earlier Early career role · Boeing
- Earlier Army Officer · Australian Army
Sources: podcasts.apple.com, aicd.com.au
Key moments
Jump straight to the part of Wayne Gerard says attracting talent into the startup ecosystem is “mission critical” you want.
- 0:19 Special Interview Series Introduction
- 0:34 Meet Wayne Gerard
- 1:14 Role as Chief Entrepreneur of Queensland
- 2:01 Wayne's Background and Journey to Entrepreneurship
- 3:03 Transition from Army to Boeing
- 4:54 Building RedEye
- 5:47 Entrepreneurial Mindset and Key Questions
- 8:05 Importance of Total Addressable Market
- 9:01 Evolution of the Startup Ecosystem in Australia
- 10:43 Catalysts for Growth in the Startup Ecosystem
Heard on
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▶ Partner Ventures (Prtnr) on Day One
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