Dr Kate Cornick is the new CEO of the Tech Council of Australia, with the long-time LaunchVic leader moving to the national tech lobby group.
Cornick, who has served as CEO of the Victorian government’s startup agency for the last decade, will start in the role in early May, replacing current Tech Council of Australia (TCA) CEO Damian Kassabgi.
Kassabgi announced his resignation in October last year after 18 months in the role, saying he was looking for a better work-life balance.
He will transition to a Special Advisor to the Board of the Tech Council from May.
Cornick is also the founding CEO and Investment Committee Member of the Alice Anderson Fund, the deputy chancellor of Charles Sturt University and chair of the Investment Committee for the University of Melbourne’s Genesis Pre Seed Fund.
“I look forward to working with the board, team and sector to help support its growth,” Cornick said.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to now contribute to the broader Australian technology sector on a national platform.”
Tech Council Chair Scott Farquahar said Cornick is well known across the local tech sector.
“Kate’s decade leading LaunchVic will see her bring valuable skills and experience to the CEO role from across the startup ecosystem as well as in commercialisation, investment and government collaboration more broadly,” Farquhar said.
Momentum and change
Cornick will be the third CEO of the Tech Council since it was established in 2021 by Alex McCauley to replace StartupAus.
The Tech Council’s aim is to grow the tech sector and influence government policy, and its members include Google, eBay, Adobe, Microsoft, OpenAI and Canva.
Brighte CEO Katherine McConnell was announced as a new Tech Council board member. Photo: Supplied
Kate Pounder served as inaugural CEO of TCA until early 2024, and was replaced by Kassabgi, who will continue in the role until 5 May.
“The last few years has been a time of real momentum and change for the sector as well as for TCA and the role we play on behalf of our members, and Damian has been central to driving and successfully navigating both,” Farquhar said.
“Damian will hand over the reins as CEO with the TCA in a strong position operationally and on the back of key wins for members from a policy, advocacy and engagement perspective.”
Changes at LaunchVic
Cornick’s resignation from LaunchVic comes two months after the Victorian government announced it would dissolve it as a standalone agency and consolidate it with investment fund Breakthrough Victoria to reduce duplication and cut costs.
Dr Kate Cornick replaces outgoing CEO Damian Kassabgi. Photo: Supplied
LaunchVic was established in 2016 and administers grants to startup ecosystem supports and runs mentorship and education programs.
Cornick and the LaunchVic board will continue working with the state government on this transition in the coming months.
“Under Kate’s leadership, startup creation in Victoria has grown significantly, the venture capital landscape has been transformed and the sector’s economic contributions are recognised,” LaunchVic Chair Leigh Jasper said.
“She is widely respected for her deep expertise and strong relationships across industry and government.
“The Tech Council of Australia is fortunate to have her leading the organisation.”
The appointment was confirmed at the Tech Council’s annual general meeting this week, where Brighte founder and CEO Katherine McConnell was also announced as a new board member.
McConnell is replacing former Tech Council director and Tesla chair Robyn Denholm, who announced she would be stepping away from the organisation late last year.
McConnell is also a founding member of the Tech Council’s Consumer Energy Tech Alliance.
