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Michael Finney - Chief Executive Officer
Michael has extensive industry and academic experience in research management, technology transfer and investment management across the physical and life sciences, and social and creative sectors. Previously, he has been deputy Chief Executive Officer and General Manager - Technology Commercialisation at UniQuest Pty Limited and Vice President - Commercial Development at IMBcom Pty Ltd. In those capacities, he was also recruited to the Investment Committee of Uniseed Pty Limited—an early stage venture capital fund with investable funds of $60 million, where he managed and monitored various investments from different sectors and assisted in the implementation of its investment strategy and portfolio composition.
He is an experienced commercial manager with a multi-disciplinary background and international business experience throughout South East Asia, Asia Pacific and the USA. He has extensive business development and financial experience, and has provided advice to several public companies in the fields of commercialisation, management of intellectual property, new venture business development, business structuring and risk mitigation, commercial licensing and contract negotiation, investment due diligence upon nascent business opportunities, corporate governance, and strategic planning and implementation. He is a skilled negotiator and has a breadth and depth of understanding about technology, start-ups, joint ventures and business management , as well as operations across an array of diverse sectors.
Michael holds an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management at the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from the University of Queensland, and a Juris Doctor post-graduate degree in law. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Registered Professional Engineer, and has been admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland. He has sat on numerous technology startup boards as a non-executive director and acting CEO.
Nina Patane - Acting Executive Assistant
Nina is an experienced and skilled administration manager who began her career with Northern Group Training in Brisbane before travelling to the United Kingdom. Her career overseas began as a personal assistant with multi-national Fujitsu, before a switch to Sky Sports Networked Media (the largest sporting media group in Europe). Nina’s duties were varied, and included acting as a personal assistant, office manager, and playing a crucial role within the editorial division. Since returning to Australia she continued her career with Ord Minnett in an administration role before joining bluebox.
At bluebox, Nina is responsible for the smooth operation of the Chief Executive’s office through the coordination and organisation of all activities. She also assists with human resources and accounting activities, and is the Assistant to the Compliance Officer under bluebox's Financial Services Licence.
