Karl is the Executive Director for International and National Engagement for the Australian Space Agency where he negotiates frameworks for joint space programs and missions with International Space Agencies as well as engaging with Australian industry, start-ups, domestic agencies, research institutions and all state and territory governments to help grow the Australian space sector.
Karl has over 25 years of experience in innovation, venture investment, research, development and commercialisation of technology.
Prior to the Agency, Karl was Deputy Director for CSIRO Energy responsible for the Business Unit strategy, science investment and operations. He delivered science impact, leadership and direction to the Business Unit including the creation of the Hydrogen Future Science Platform to create a new energy security and export opportunity for Australia. He also helped set up Main Sequence Ventures and was the CSIRO Representative on their Investment Committee.
Before Deputy Director, Karl held senior management roles across CSIRO including Project Director for the National Geosequestration Laboratory (NGL) where he was responsible for the successful delivery of a $50M National Research Facility. Prior to that, he was the Executive Manager, Licensing and Investment Management within CSIRO IP & Licensing and was responsible for managing CSIRO’s spin-out initiatives from inception through to exit, including managing the CRC Engagement Office and the Australian Growth Partnership program.
Prior to CSIRO, Karl managed Intel Capital ANZ where he invested in several Australian and New Zealand companies and also enjoyed launching a number of start-up companies in Australia and South-East Asia.
Karl is passionate about innovation and start-ups and is an Adjunct Lecturer in Entrepreneurial Finance and Financing Innovation in the MBA programs for the Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM) and the Sydney Business School (Sydney University).