2010 Judges
Lorne Wood-Roe, Patent Attorney at Adams Pluck
Lorne is a registered Australian Patent and Trade Marks attorney with over 12 years experience and a partner of Adams Pluck 
Lorne is skilled in providing strategic advice in the utilization of intellectual property rights to the best advantage of his clients. Having worked in the R&D department of an ultrasound medical device manufacturer, and as a production engineer for a manufacturer of surveillance cameras, Lorne became involved in patents by establishing and coordinating the patent searching operation of a large patent firm in the United Kingdom.
With a broad background in mechanics, electronics, physics and computing, Lorne deals with patent matters across a wide range of technologies including mechanical devices of all types, medical equipment, and computer hardware and software. Lorne has a personal interest in sustainable living and works closely with companies involved with renewable energy, water re-use and conservation.
Dilip Rao, Entrepreneur and Charter Member, TiE Sydney
Dilip is the Founder of Paymate, Australia's first person-to-person payment service now operating in New Zealand and the USA as well. Dilip is a Charter Member of TiE Sydney and ran their Mentoring Program for several years. TiE is the world's largest non-profit entrepreneur support network with 13,000 members in 56 Chapters across 13 countries. Dilip's work career over 30 years spans the comupter industry in India, USA and Australia as well as management consulting in Australia.
Dilip holds degrees in Physics and Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, India.
Dr Aleksey Valyaev, Business Development Associate at Sydnovate
Aleksey Valyaev obtained his Ph.D. and M.S. in bio-materials science and mechanical engineering at Duke University in 2006. In 2001, he also completed a graduate degree in electronics from Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology.
Aleksey gained experience in sales, marketing and business planning through his engagement in various industries including FMCG, scientific manufacturing and life sciences. Previously, he worked at NT-MDT, a global scientific manufacturing company, at Procter & Gamble and at Bio-Link Australia. His multi-faceted background is supported by R&D and commercial experience in Eastern Europe, USA, South Korea and Australia.
Aleksey joined Sydnovate in 2010, and is currently responsible for a research portfolio in Engineering, IT and Physics.
Ellen Burnes, Director at KPMG
Ellen Burnes is a director at KPMG, with focus on Energy and Natural Resource sectors. Previous to joining KPMG, Ellen was a Senior Associate at the Management Consulting firm, Booz & company.
Professor Sid Gray, Professor of International Business at the University of Sydney
Professor Sid Gray is a Professor of International Business in the Faculty of Economics and Business at The University of Sydney. From 2003 to 2006 he was Head of the Faculty?s School of Business. From 2006 to 2008, he was Associate Dean (International).
Prior to becoming a university lecturer at the Lancaster University Management School in the 1970s, Sid Gray was an executive with international companies in the U.K, India and Australia, where he was latterly with Burns Philp. His business experience includes a period of more than 4 years in India as an expatriate manager involved in the export of tea, coffee, spices and cashew nuts as well as shipping, insurance and travel agency work.
Professor Richard Seymour, Programme Director of IERG
Richard Seymour joined the University of Sydney in 2006. Prior to this he worked in the corporate, NGO and consulting sectors. As well as having run his own business, he has over 5 years experience advising small and medium-sized enterprises on corporate divestments, capital raisings and cross-border transactions. He also has over 10 years experience with a number of European, Asian and Australian organizations in the financial, property, and environmental sectors.
Dr Jim Rooney, Lecturer at the University of Sydney
Jim Rooney is an accounting lecturer at the University of Sydney. He has a sound interest in opportunities and decision making. He has presented at various conferences internationally and has published in various professional journals.