As we head towards the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, we have a unique opportunity to draw on their influence to shape a uniquely Australian approach to entrepreneurship.

But what does that represent and how do we get there? They’re powerful questions founder and CEO Professor Mark Kendall had the chance to explore in a guest column he wrote for Queensland Business Weekly in The Courier-Mail.

Here, with the paper’s permission, is the full text of that column.

A legacy beyond stadiums 

Looking towards the Brisbane 2032 Games, much of the dialogue thus far has been about the nuts, bolts and cost of physical infrastructure. But beyond the sporting spotlight, this once-in-a-generation event also presents another opportunity – to shape a uniquely Australian approach to entrepreneurship. 

And as someone who’s seen what can be done – and how to get there – this excites me. 

When I established WearOptimo – which is advancing next-generation wearable technology, starting with a hydration Microwearable sensor – I was advised to do it in an established innovation ecosystem, like Silicon Valley. But I wanted to support our homegrown sector. 

After all, so many of the pieces already exist. 

We have the legacy of leaders such as vaccine pioneer Professor Ian Frazer. We have academic institutions willing to partner private enterprise, as ANU did as WearOptimo’s foundational partner. And we have governments that back growth, as shown with their seven-figure funding for WearOptimo’s new Brisbane-based Advanced Manufacturing Facility. 

We just need to find a way to amplify and encourage opportunity, despite obstacles like tall poppy syndrome and an almost cultural reluctance to trailblaze. 

As someone long focused on a bigger picture than just commercial success, I’ve spent decades immersed in outstanding entrepreneurial environments. This included my own formative ‘Innovation Apprenticeship’ as a lecturer at Oxford University, where I helped create a needle-free vaccine delivery device that was later commercialised.  

For the last 18 years, I have contributed to Brisbane’s ecosystem across academia and business, including as a Professor at UQ, where I invented a needle-free vaccine patch, founding biotech firm Vaxxas to translate it for consumer healthcare. I was also a visiting professor at Harvard/MIT.  

The point in highlighting this global journey is to note the common denominator of success – forging ahead; not being circumspect. It’s something we need to develop in Australia, where we lean towards letting others take the lead and following. 

But how? The answer is multifaceted, but creating exposure pathways is critical. As an example, our team includes people at every stage of learning, from undergraduate interns to PhD students and on-the-job ‘Innovation Apprenticeships’. 

It’s a process designed to create exposure and spark entrepreneurial drive, so when the timing and ideas align, this next generation doesn’t hesitate to create a business – ideally on home soil.  

If we can get that right, by the time 2032 arrives, we’ll not only be in the headlines as host, but also as an innovation powerhouse.