Dr Bruce Whan has been actively involved in innovation and commercialisation, at a practical level, for over 20 years. He currently directs Swinburne Knowledge, Swinburne University of Technology’s commercialisation unit. He is also CEO of Swinburne Ventures Ltd and is currently a director of several of its start-up companies based on research outputs.
Dr Whan was Chairman of INNOVIC, the Victorian Innovation Centre Limited for ten years, having been its Executive Director for nine years. This organisation evaluates new products and technologies, then plans and implements commercialisation strategies to optimise the likelihood of market place success. It has also provided commercialisation consulting services to a range of research establishments.
Previously Dr Whan was General Manager, Training and Innovation, for the Strategic Industry Research Foundation, developing and delivering innovative industry training, together with a range of consulting and related activities. He has had close links with Swinburne’s Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship for many years, providing sessional teaching input on innovation and creativity to Swinburne’s Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation program. Dr Whan also has extensive industry experience, holding a range of research, technical, operational and management positions.