NSW Innovation Advisor – Hercules Tsoutsas
Hercules Tsoutsas is a qualified Industrial Designer (NSW University) with strong analytical, business and marketing skills. He has worked with Asgard Wealth Solutions, served as part of the Westpac / St George integration team and with BT Financial Group as a Customer Relationship Consultant and Technical Specialist. He worked with Jaggards Limited developing mutual business relationships.

Senior Innovation Advisor – Andrew Dowe
Andrew Dowe is an accredited ASSOB member. He has a Bachelor of Industrial Design with Honours. He was the highly commended Finalist in the Australian Design Awards and holds a Masters of Commerce in Marketing and International Business. Andrew has over 8 years industrial design, product development and marketing experience, and was recently marketing manager for Mint Wireless, a start-up technology and telecommunications company. Andrew recently returned from London where he worked for the innovation and branding agency Big Green Door, on product and brand development projects for major multinational FMCG companies. He has guest lectured in Industrial Design at the University of NSW and brings a strong understanding of design commercialisation and new technologies to the NSW Innovation Advisory Service.

Stuart Smith, Grants Advisory
Stuart has been advising on funding through grants for the last four years. He has assisted companies and individuals with State and Federal Grants ranging from Export Marketing, Innovation and Commercialisation, Research & Development, Agribusiness, Textile and general purpose business grants. With an Honours degree in Applied Science in 1988, Stuart understands the process oriented methodology of grants funding. He has worked in management for commercial and retail businesses, as well as being the Operations Manager for 9 years with a major chemical multi-national and managed his own business consultancy for a number of years. Stuart brings a wealth of business and management experience to work with enterprises in obtaining grant funding.

Kelly Dunham, Researcher
Kelly has developed extensive research skills throughout her fifteen year career as a qualified librarian working within information departments of academic and large public libraries. Kelly is comfortable searching both electronic and traditional formats, using a range of techniques for accessing the internet and specific databases. Using her skills, Kelly is able to create a complete information package for clients including patent searching and marketplace analysis.

Dan Liszka BSc(Hons) GAID, CEO
Bachelor of Science with 1st Class Honours. Current Member & Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Accredited Member of the Australian Small Scale Offerings Board. Over 15 years experience with innovative enterprises. Various senior management roles in Research, Government and Industry. General Manager & directly responsible for raising $4M for an aquaculture industry start-up company. Founding Manager of the NSW Government funded Hunter Innovation Advisory Centre. Member of the International Licensing Executives Society. Panelist and judge of the Pitch 08 and Young Bizstar 2008 competitions.

Kate Ingham, Senior Client Manager
Kate Ingham is accredited member of ASSOB and graduate of the AICD. Kate has a BA (Communications) degree and has worked as a media practitioner and coach for over 20 years. Kate was Director, Pitch ‘08 and 2007 Pitchfest, assessing applicants and coaching SME’s in the art of pitching to investors. She has served in the role of Director, Industry and Cultural Development with the Australian Film Commission. She managed a range of media organizations and worked in a wide range of capacities in film and tv in Australia and the US. Kate has served as an independent program assessor for the Department of Communications Information Technology and the Arts. She brings to Alchemy a strong understanding of managing public companies, marketing, communications and change management.