Enterprize Tasmania has announced the appointment of seasoned fintech investor and startup leader Brian Collins as its new Chief Executive Officer. This strategic move coincides with the organization's tenth anniversary and signals a renewed ambition to elevate Tasmania's burgeoning startup ecosystem onto the national and global stage. Collins' leadership is expected to catalyze a new phase of growth and recognition for the island state's innovation sector.
A Leader with Global Experience
Brian Collins brings a wealth of international experience and a deep understanding of the venture capital landscape to his new role. As the co-founder of fintech fund Triple Bubble and Deputy Chair of FinTech Australia, he has been at the forefront of the nation's financial technology sector. His extensive background includes leading Startupbootcamp's fintech programs and advising major organizations like AWS and prominent banks on innovation.
Collins is no stranger to the Tasmanian ecosystem, having previously served as an entrepreneur-in-residence for Enterprize Tasmania five years ago. This history provides him with unique insight into the organization's journey and its untapped potential. Board member Phaedon Stough noted that Collins has come "full circle," now poised to champion the state and help it realize its full capabilities.
A New Chapter for Enterprize Tasmania
The appointment marks a significant milestone for Enterprize Tasmania, which began as a founder-led initiative supported by philanthropy and early government backing. Over the past decade, it has hosted thousands of events and grown to support over 220 members from more than 100 companies. With its hubs in Hobart and Launceston nearing full capacity, the organization is primed for its next stage of expansion.
Collins expressed his admiration for the state's innovation community, stating his goal is to make the rest of the world "fall in love" with it as he has. He emphasized that the next step is to showcase what makes the ecosystem special and attract more startups and organizations to get involved. This vision is particularly crucial as other state governments have scaled back support for their own startup programs.
Fueling Economic Growth and Unicorn Aspirations
The economic impact of the startups nurtured by Enterprize is substantial, significantly outpacing traditional small businesses in the state. Data reveals that companies based at Enterprize have reported an average annual revenue growth of 126% and employment growth of 44%. These figures stand in stark contrast to the 3.39% revenue and 5.3% employment growth seen across other Tasmanian small businesses.
Collins firmly believes that Tasmania is evolving from a scenic retreat into a powerful launchpad for Australia's next unicorn company. He points to the global success of local companies like design application Procreate and geospatial technology firm Geoneon as evidence of this potential. These trailblazers are seen as the first of many high-growth companies expected to emerge from the state's accelerating startup scene.
A Watershed Moment for the State
Phaedon Stough, a board member at Enterprize Tasmania, described the appointment as a "watershed moment" for the organization. He affirmed that after a decade of successfully putting Tasmania on the innovation map, the focus has now shifted to scaling and multiplying those efforts. Stough believes Collins is the ideal leader to spearhead this ambitious new phase of development and global outreach.
Brian Collins' appointment as CEO heralds a pivotal new era for Enterprize Tasmania and the state's entire innovation landscape. His leadership is set to build upon a decade of foundational work, leveraging impressive growth metrics and local success stories to attract global attention and investment. Ultimately, this strategic hire aims to solidify Tasmania's reputation not just as a place of natural beauty, but as a formidable hub for technological innovation.