About Us

The Office of the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur is an Advance Queensland initiative funded by the Queensland Government and driven by the state’s entrepreneurial community.

Our mission

Our goal is to cement Queensland’s reputation as Australia’s #startupstate with the talent, community, outcomes and deal flow to prove it. Our office is the first of its kind in Australia, and is led by Chief Entrepreneur, Leanne Kemp.

We aim to:

  • support the development of Queensland’s startup ecosystem by working with incubators, accelerators and coworking spaces
  • connect with regional and remote Queensland to encourage and foster state-wide entrepreneurship
  • showcase Queensland startup and entrepreneurial talent to local, national and international audiences
  • stimulate and attract local, national and international investment and venture capital to Queensland
  • support local entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses across the state by connecting them with the right opportunities, people, places and spaces to help them grow, scale and create jobs.

Our logo

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Creative Townsville-born entrepreneur Scott Rogers won the state-wide competition to create the logo for the Office. 

A mentor to entrepreneurs and an investor in Australian and US tech startups, Scott is a regular at Queensland startup community events such as Innovation NQ.

“I’m closely involved with Queensland’s startup ecosystem. When I saw the competition I thought of it as a bit of an artistic challenge and decided to give it a go.

"I designed a bold, simple logo and kept the letter ‘e’ clearly visible in the centre of the design because I personally think entrepreneurial activity should be at the centre of the Queensland economy.” - Scott Rogers 

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Leanne Kemp
Queensland Chief Entrepreneur

Leanne Kemp

Leanne Kemp is Founder and CEO of Everledger and Queensland Chief Entrepreneur. She is a prominent figure in the technology sector and recognised internationally as an innovator and leader. Her company Everledger uses Blockchain technology to track high-value assets such as diamonds, art and wine with the aim of increasing transparency and trust with technology. 

In 2018, her entrepreneurial success saw her appointed as the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur in Australia, to develop the state’s startup ecosystem, attract investment and support job creation. She is the first woman entrepreneur to hold this position. In 2019 her tenure as Chief Entrepreneur was extended for another year, the first time the role has been extended since its creation. 

Leanne works on a global scale to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation and is an advocate of sustainability in business. Leanne’s roles include:

  • CEO and Founder, Everledger

  • Queensland Chief Entrepreneur

  • Co-Chair, Global Future Council on the Future of Manufacturing, World Economic Forum

  • Member, Global Future Council on Blockchain, Circular Economy and Global Battery Alliance with the World Economic Forum

  • Board of Stewards for Accelerating Sustainable Production, World Economic Forum 

  • Regional Ambassador of Australia, Global Blockchain Business Council

  • Co-Chair, Sustainable Trade Action Group, World Trade Board

  • Advisor, IBM Blockchain Platform Board of Advisors

  • Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Future Environment, Queensland University of Technology

Leanne is a two times Patent Inventor as well as holding the following prominent awards include:

  • Advancing Identification Matter (AIM) Global Allan Gilligan Award 2019

  • Advance Technology Innovation Award 2018 

  • Innovator of the Year 2018 (Women in IT Awards, London)

  • Innovator of the Year 2016 (Women in IT Awards, London)

  • Top 26 Coolest Women in UK Tech, 2016 (Business Insider)

  • Top 30 Female Innovators (Brummell Magazine)

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