Well-known ICT entrepreneur, Steve Baxter, has been appointed to the board of Commercialisation Australia, to provide advice on the program which helps turn intellectual property into a commercial reality.
Announcing the appointment, the Minister for Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet, said Mr Baxter had a long and successful history of founding Internet based companies in Australia.
"In a digital age, Mr Baxter is well placed to advise the Gillard Government on innovative new projects within this important program. He has enormous entrepreneurial drive," Mr Combet said.
Mr Baxter founded his first internet service provider in South Australia in 1994 and has since worked in Australia and overseas on major ICT projects.
In March 2012, Mr Baxter founded and financed River City Labs, a not-for-profit co-working space in Brisbane which provided collaborative space for early stage and start-up companies in the telecommunications, Internet, mobile and technology sectors.
The Commercialisation Australia board recommends applications for assistance and advises on other strategic matters related to the program.
Mr Baxter replaces Dr Susan Pond, who was appointed by Mr Combet in August to chair the expert committee assisting Innovation Australia to deliver the $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program.
"Dr Pond has made a significant contribution to Commercialisation Australia during her time on the Board. She is now playing a vital role in assisting the Government with delivering the new Clean Technology Innovation Program," Mr Combet said.
Mr Baxter's biography is published below.
Media contact: Minister's office 02 6277 7920
Mr Steve Baxter
With a background in founding Internet based companies in Australia and working overseas on large scale data networks, Mr Stephen Baxter is a well-known figure within the telecommunications and Internet industry.
In 1994 Mr Baxter founded SE Net in Adelaide, an ISP which quickly grew to be a substantial player not only in South Australia but also nationally. Mr Baxter was involved in early Internet community work, with committee appointments to the South Australian Internet Association, the Australian Domain Name Authority (forerunner to AuDA) and the Internet Industry Association (IIA).
In 2001 he co-founded PIPE Networks, which listed in May 2005 with a market capitalidation of about $14 million before being acquired in March by TPG Group for a consideration of AU$373M.
Mr Baxter is a board member and advisor to several companies, including ASX listed Vocus Communications. In March 2012, Mr Baxter founded and financed River City Labs, a not-for-profit incubator in Brisbane for early stage and start-up companies in the telecommunications, Internet, mobile and technology sectors