At InnovateConnect Alliance
We are a purpose-driven not-for-profit dedicated to fostering innovation, empowering creativity, and unlocking transformative solutions for a better world.
Sustainable and Inclusive Connections
Turn Ideas Into Impact
ICA empowers students, university researchers, and entrepreneurs to turn innovative ideas into impactful products, services, and ventures through commercialization.
Connect With Industry Leaders
ICA provides extensive networking opportunities, connecting members with innovators and industry leaders to foster collaboration and drive developments.
Workshops, Seminars & More
ICA provides a wealth of educational resources, including workshops, seminars, and webinars, to boost members' skills in commercializing innovations.
Tailored For Every Member
ICA features structured membership tiers for students, researchers, and entrepreneurs, each offering tailored benefits to meet their specific needs within the innovation ecosystem.
Witness Our Grow
Discover the evolving strength of our network as we welcome new visionaries and forge transformative partnerships. Each step forward enhances our collective capability to innovate and make a meaningful impact.
Introducing Our Co-Chairs
Meet the Co-Chairs who lead our organization with experience and dedication. Their vision and guidance are key to our success.
Yifei Wang is the visionary founder and CEO of AIBUILD Pty Ltd, a Melbourne-based startup revered for its expertise in web technologies, AI, VR, and AR. He engages in substantial university research projects with institutions like the University of Melbourne and Monash University, focusing on AI-driven solutions for real estate construction.Yifei is acclaimed as a proficient and esteemed entrepreneur and researcher within Victoria's tech and innovation ecosystem.
Lihai is Professor of Infrastructure Protection & Management and Leader of Engineering Management Discipline in the Department of Infrastructure Engineering at The University of Melbourne. He is best known for his expertise in numerically modelling of fluid flow, mass transfer and reactive transport in deformed porous media as well as engineering reliability analysis.
Advisory Board
We unite top leaders from academia, entrepreneurship, and industry to drive innovation and collaboration.
Professor Eduard Hovy, Executive Director of Melbourne Connect, is a renowned expert in Natural Language Processing. He earned his Ph.D. in AI from Yale and holds honorary doctorates from UNED and the University of Antwerp. Formerly at DARPA and Carnegie Mellon University, he is a Fellow of both the ACL and AAAI. His research includes computational semantics, machine reading, and machine translation, and he has authored over 450 technical articles.
Kathy is an experienced executive, a strong advocate for collaboration between business and government, and a skilled facilitator of strategic partnerships. Kathy is currently, Lead – LaunchVic Victorian Innovation Mission. Previously Kathy was Director, Strategic Technology Partnerships, Victoria Government.
Professor Minoo Patel is a senior orthopaedic surgeon with more than 20 years’ experience. He has expertise in adult and paediatric upper limb surgery (shoulder, elbow and hand surgery), including arthroscopy, arthroplasty (joint replacement) and trauma.
Martin is an internationally recognised surgeon with an interest in shoulder, knee and trauma surgery. He treats the whole spectrum of shoulder problems with expertise in arthroscopic shoulder surgery as well as total shoulder replacements, including reverse shoulder replacements. Martin also treats sporting conditions of the knee as well as performing joint replacements of the hip and knee.
Dan was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer of Heathcote Health in September 2012. Prior to his appointment, Dan held senior management roles at Bendigo Health, Victorian Department of Human Services, North Central Catchment Management Authority and the Victorian Law Department.
Suresh is an experienced Melbourne businessman. He has mentored other business owners for about 12 years, helping them with their financials, marketing and operations. Suresh began his career as a toolmaker engineer and managed ITW Buildex’s tooling department for 17 years before he established Chirag Tooling Pty Ltd in 1996.
Nigel is a leader within the bridge and structures industry - renowned internationally for his expertise. Nigel commenced with ARRB in as National Infrastructure Strategist and Chief Technology Leader – Asset Management in 2019. He has more than 18 years experience in the Victorian public service.
Jane provides result orientated sustainability services and ESD strategic direction to clients. Jane has a passion for sustainable design and has worked on projects encompassing Green Star, WELL, and NABERS.
Frank is the Global Head of Sustainability at State of Flux. He has expertise in sustainable procurement, supplier and risk management and is experienced across a number of industries. Frank holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne, and delivers lectures to postgraduate students at the university.
Yew-Chin has more than 20 years’ experience in private, academic and government sectors and has worked in China, Fiji, Malaysia and South Korea. He provides structural engineering advice on the planning, design and delivery for major road infrastructure projects in Victoria.
Join ICA and be part of a community that’s shaping the future. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your existing enterprise, iCA is here to support your journey towards creating real-world impact.
