About
I bring a unique blend of technical expertise, commercial acumen, and strategic leadership, honed over decades across a diverse range of industries including technology, finance, construction, and manufacturing. With formal qualifications in metallurgy, business, and financial planning—and a career that spans startups to enterprise-scale ventures—I’ve consistently delivered innovative and commercially successful outcomes.
As a serial founder and co-creator of the world’s first laptop, I’ve built businesses from the ground up, including Smartsalary Ltd, which grew to a market cap exceeding $2 billion. I’ve raised over $18 million in capital, scaled teams to over 700 people, and held governance and advisory roles across public and private sectors, including ASX-listed companies and the Federal Government’s Entrepreneurs Programme.
My experience spans SaaS, fintech, deep tech, manufacturing, and engineering, providing deep insight into product development, market fit, and commercialisation. I’ve taken patented technologies from concept to market, developed innovative digital platforms, and executed go-to-market strategies in both B2B and B2C settings.
I understand firsthand the pressures and challenges that founders and leaders face—because I’ve faced them myself. Whether it’s capital raising, investor relations, team scaling, market validation, strategic pivots, or commercial partnerships, I bring a pragmatic, hands-on approach that’s grounded in real-world success (and the valuable lessons of failure).
Beyond startups, I’ve served as a trusted consultant to enterprises and government bodies, offering guidance on commercial strategy, product innovation, international expansion, and operational efficiency. My ability to bridge technical, financial, and strategic domains—combined with strong public speaking, publishing, and mentoring credentials—makes me a valuable asset to any organisation seeking growth, transformation, or innovation.
If you%27re building something bold—whether it’s a new venture or a legacy business ready to scale—I bring the experience, insight, and judgment to help you succeed.
As a serial founder and co-creator of the world’s first laptop, I’ve built businesses from the ground up, including Smartsalary Ltd, which grew to a market cap exceeding $2 billion. I’ve raised over $18 million in capital, scaled teams to over 700 people, and held governance and advisory roles across public and private sectors, including ASX-listed companies and the Federal Government’s Entrepreneurs Programme.
My experience spans SaaS, fintech, deep tech, manufacturing, and engineering, providing deep insight into product development, market fit, and commercialisation. I’ve taken patented technologies from concept to market, developed innovative digital platforms, and executed go-to-market strategies in both B2B and B2C settings.
I understand firsthand the pressures and challenges that founders and leaders face—because I’ve faced them myself. Whether it’s capital raising, investor relations, team scaling, market validation, strategic pivots, or commercial partnerships, I bring a pragmatic, hands-on approach that’s grounded in real-world success (and the valuable lessons of failure).
Beyond startups, I’ve served as a trusted consultant to enterprises and government bodies, offering guidance on commercial strategy, product innovation, international expansion, and operational efficiency. My ability to bridge technical, financial, and strategic domains—combined with strong public speaking, publishing, and mentoring credentials—makes me a valuable asset to any organisation seeking growth, transformation, or innovation.
If you%27re building something bold—whether it’s a new venture or a legacy business ready to scale—I bring the experience, insight, and judgment to help you succeed.
Advisory experience
Alex Paine is an advisor and board member based in Australia, specialising in Information Technology and Services. They have advisor or board member experience with Preformance Building Technologies. They speak English. They are open to advisory board and board director opportunities and are available for introductions through Boardio.
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