InnovateConnect Alliance

Empowering Innovators, Amplifying Impact

InnovateConnect Alliance is a nonprofit creating pathways to innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and employment for underrepresented communities, particularly low-income youth and migrants.

Join us

Explore Competition 2026

At InnovateConnect Alliance

At InnovateConnect Alliance, we believe innovation should be accessible to everyone. We bring together community, academia and industry to help people build skills, develop networks and access practical opportunities in technology, entrepreneurship and employment.

By reducing barriers to participation, we aim to turn ideas, talent and potential into meaningful social and economic impact.

Join us

Inclusive Connections, Meaningful Opportunities

We connect communities, industry and academia to expand access to innovation, technology and entrepreneurship. Through inclusive networks, practical resources and shared opportunities, we help people build skills, connections and pathways to employment and economic participation.

Empowering Innovation

ICA empowers students, university researchers, and entrepreneurs to turn innovative ideas into impactful products, services, and ventures through commercialization.

Networking Opportunities

ICA provides extensive networking opportunities, connecting members with innovators and industry leaders to foster collaboration and drive developments.

Access to Resources

ICA provides a wealth of educational resources, including workshops, seminars, and webinars, to boost members’ skills in commercializing innovations.

Career & Entrepreneurship Pathways

ICA creates pathways to career development, entrepreneurship and employment by connecting people with skills, networks, industry and practical opportunities.

Our Growing Impact

Our growing community brings together members, volunteers and partners from diverse backgrounds to expand access to innovation, skills and opportunities. Together, we are building stronger connections and creating meaningful impact.

Members

Volunteers

Events

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.

Mr Yifei Wang

CEO, AIBUILD

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.

Professor Lihai Zhang

Lead – Engineering Management, the University of Melbourne

Advisory Board

We unite top leaders from academia, entrepreneurship, and industry to drive innovation and collaboration.

Dr Guillermo Narsilio is Deputy Head (Research) of the Department of Infrastructure Engineering and Professor at The University of Melbourne, and a former Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow, former member of the ARC College of Experts, and past Chair of the Australian Geomechanics Society (Vic).

Professor Guillermo Narsilio Ferrero

Head of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne

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.

Professor Eduard Hovy

Executive Director, Melbourne Connect, Research and Enterprise

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.

Ms Kathy Coultas

A Leader, Advocate and Advisor connecting Business, Government and Community

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.

Professor Minoo Patel

Senior orthopaedic surgeon, Epworth & Adjunct Professor in the School of Engineering

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.

Professor Martin Richardson

Epworth Healthcare

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.

Dr Dan Douglass

Former CEO, Heathcote Health

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.

Mr Suresh Sutrave

CEO, Atlite (Australia) Pty Ltd

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.

Mr Nigel Powers

National Infrastructure Strategist and Chief Technology Leader, ARRB

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.

Dr Jane Lai

Associate Director, erbas

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.

Dr Frank Lai

Head of Asia-Pacific at State of Flux

Matt is an experienced Senior Advisor with a proven track record in the government sector, environmental sustainability, and behavior change industries. He is a highly skilled professional in community and social services, adept at project management, sustainable business practices, environmental awareness, environmental education, and sustainability initiatives.

Mr Matt Nelson

City of Kingston

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.

Dr Yew-Chin Koay

Structural Engineering Advisor