Ian Gardiner is a respected leader in Australia’s tech and startup ecosystem, known for backing early-stage ventures with bold ideas and strong values. As co-founder of Innovation Bay, he has helped create one of Australia’s most vibrant networks for founders and investors.

A former head of startups at AWS ANZ and founder of Viocorp, Ian brings decades of experience in building and scaling innovation-driven companies. Beyond capital, he’s deeply committed to growing the startup community with purpose.

“I think the concept of talking about philanthropy can be uncomfortable for donors who prefer to give quietly. There’s a concern that being known for giving might attract unwanted attention. Whether that’s true or not, we need courageous individuals to lead by example and champion this cause.”