David Williamson | CEO
0423 792 204 | david.williamson@melbourneinnovation.com.au
I have been a part of MIC for nearly a decade and enjoy working across a number of areas of the business. This has included mentoring many businesses through their start-up and growth phases. I really enjoy supporting people through some of the most challenging and rewarding times of their lives.
Chief Executive Officer's Role:
- Lead the development and implementation of MIC's strategy
- Manage MIC's strategic partnerships
- Execute the establishment, activation and roll-out of new campuses
- Managing MIC's financial sustainability
- Continue to iterate the incubation and accelerator models
What I can assist businesses with:
Including but not limited to:
- Strategic planning
- Business model design
- Management consultancy
- Lean/Agile
- Digital strategy
- Attracting capital (Crowdfunding rewards/equity, VC, Angel, Debt etc.)
- Online and traditional marketing
- HR, Governance and compliance
- Broadening networks and qualified introductions
- Government relations
- Public relations
- A general pick-me-up!
George Jakowenko | Operations Manager
0417 371 423 | george.jakowenko@melbourneinnovation.com.au
I have been at MIC since its inception in 1997, assisting small businesses through the critical initial growth phase and facilitating business growth. I delivered the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) from 2000-2014, assessing and supporting participants with business planning, financial obligations, and growth. I organise available workspace across the various MIC incubator sites.
Operations Manager’s Role:
- Maintain the facilities and services of MIC
- Support business entering and leaving the Incubator
- Assist business growth and development within the Incubator Program
- Assist business mentors within MIC
- Support the CEO in day-to-day operations of the Incubator
What I can assist businesses with:
Including but not limited to:
- Business planning
- Business Model Canvas
- Occupational Health & Safety
- Networking
- A sounding board
Vivian Vo | Program Manager
0435 803 181 | vivian.vo@melbourneinnovation.com.au
I have been at MIC for over five years. I have managed various government initiatives and currently run and present workshops around business innovation and entrepreneurship for LGAs and as part of MIC’s Incubator Program. I am also a contributing columnist for the Herald Sun’s business section, providing business advice and solutions for startup businesses.
Program Manager’s Role:
- Development of incubator and acceleration programs
- Organise and promote business workshops and events
- Maintain relationships with key stakeholders
What I can assist client businesses with:
- Business Models
- Design Thinking
- Personal branding
- Business & Marketing Plans
- Online marketing strategy
- Social media strategy
- SEO strategy
- Website development planning
- Email Marketing Campaigns
- Monitoring and tracking campaigns
Blanche Wang | Accountant and Financial Manager
0423 760 103 | blanche.wang@melbourneinnovation.com.au
I have worked with MIC for three years, specialising in small business and startup financial controlling, accounting systems, and taxation. I have completed a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing; Masters of Professional Accounting, and am an associated CPA member. I am fluent in English, Mandarin, and Shanghainese and can assist business with translation in these languages.
Accountant and Financial Manager’s Role:
- Managing all finance and accounting operations
- Coordinating and managing the preparation of the budget and financial forecasts and report variances
- Preparing and publishing timely financial statements
- Developing and documenting business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls
- Manage and comply with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings
What I can assist client businesses with:
Day-to-day general accounting and bookkeeping, including but not limited to:
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Managing creditors
- Quotations
- Fixed asset and depreciation
- Inventory
- Expense reimbursement
- Bank reconciliations
Internal business financial operations, including but not limited to:
- Profit & loss actuals vs. budget comparison
- Business financial performance
- Revenue projections
- Cash forecasts / budgeting
- Relative cost position and sustainable cost advantage
Payroll, government and general tax compliance, including but not limited to:
- Payroll system and process
- Superannuation reports and payment
- Business Activity Statement (BAS) and Instalment Activity Statement (IAS)
- End of year consolidations
Other areas included but not limited to:
- Accounting system design
- Existing accounting procedure audit
- Develop financial and tax strategies
- Company tax and sole trader tax
- Individual tax
- R&D (research and development tax)
Maddy Williams | Media and Communications
9499 9100 | madeline.williams@melbourneinnovation.com.au
I have six years’ experience supporting the growth and promoting the success of startups at MIC. With a degree in professional writing, I work in content and design, assisting startups with content creation, website development, and copywriting and editing. I am passionate about the journeys of our business and love putting those stories into words.
Media & Communications Role:
- Assist the Program Manager in the delivery of MIC’s programs and initiatives
- Develop training materials for MIC’s events
- Develop and deliver internal and external communications
- Develop and maintain MIC’s and client’s websites
What I can assist client businesses with:
- Interview clients about their business and write a feature article for the MIC newsletter, blog, social networks, board report, and pitch article to Darebin Council’s Business Connection for possible publication
- Development of client websites (primarily WordPress and Squarespace)
- Copywriting
- Copyediting/proofreading
- A second opinion!
Maddy works part-time, Monday-Wednesday.
Charlotte Diack | Communications Officer
9499 9100 | charlotte.diack@melbourneinnovation.com.au
I hold a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Public Relations. I have experience in PR, media release generation, social media communications, creating digital strategies, event management, building a brand’s online presence, and working closely with small business.
Communications Officer’s Role:
- Manage MIC’s social media platforms
- Develop and execute marketing strategies
- Manage the delivery of MIC’s training and networking events
- Assist in the development and maintenance of MIC’s and client’s websites
- Business consulting for internal and external clients
What I can assist client businesses with:
- Social media creation and management
- Facebook advertising
- Online event management creation, such as Eventbrite
- Construction of media releases