Building an innovation ecosystem in Victoria and why it matters.

Candid Conversations with Dr Kate Cornick

Hosted by Susan Oliver AM

Building an innovation ecosystem in Victoria and why it matters.

From LaunchVic to the National Stage: What’s Next for Australian Tech.

Cultivating a world-class technology sector requires a seamless bridge between deep academic research, venture capital, and commercial market streams. Drawing on her extensive experience across startups, government, and research, CEO of Tech Council of Australia (TCA)  Dr. Kate Cornick will reflect on her journey leading LaunchVic and underpinning Victoria’s startup boom.

Fresh from delivering the Federal Government's once-in-a-generation Strategic Examination of R&D report, Kate will explore the foundational building blocks of thriving innovation ecosystems and outline her national vision for tech jobs, investment, and global commercialisation as she takes the helm of the Tech Council of Australia.

Dr Kate Cornick, CEO of Tech Council of Australia, is a passionate technology and innovation leader, with experience working across startups, corporate, academia and government. 

Kate started her role as the CEO of the Tech Council in May 2026. She was previously the CEO of LaunchVic, Victoria’s lead startup agency. Under her leadership, LaunchVic has:

• supported over 13,000 entrepreneurs to upskill
• supported 2200 startups to grow
• helped launch 16 venture capital funds
• supported 11 angel networks to unlock over $1billion private capital
• supported tens of accelerator programs across Victoria. 

Passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion, Kate is the founding CEO and Investment Committee Member of the Alice Anderson Fund – a fund led by LaunchVic dedicated to supporting women founders. To date, the fund has made over 45 investments into women-led startups.

Kate is the Deputy Chancellor and Council Member of Charles Sturt University, and Chair of the Investment Committee for the University of Melbourne’s Genesis Pre Seed Fund. 

In 2024, Kate was selected by the Federal Government to be a Panel Member for the Strategic Examination of R&D – a once in a generation review of the national R&D system. The Panel handed its report to Government in December 2025.

Kate previously founded a human resources technology startup and led it through an ASX listing. She was also the Senior Telecommunications Adviser and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and worked as a General Manager at NBN Co.

Kate has a PhD in optical telecommunications from the University of Melbourne.

Please join Kate as she reflects on her journey of passion, diversity, equity and inclusion within technology and innovation – and much more.