Andy Blackburn – Director
MBA – Entrepreneurship

Andy is the founding director of Ideas Accelerator and has been working in the innovation industry for over 10 years.

In 2000 Andy joined Australasian Forestry Company Carter Holt Harvey to develop and manage the ideas to business (i2B) program. The i2B team pioneered unique methodologies and software in the Innovation Management and Commercialisation area. The i2B program was used as an interface for Corporate Venturing; New Product Development and Performance Improvement.

His most recent work is heading innovation as part of the Strategy team for Vector. This involves the acquisition and launching of renewable energy businesses.

Louise Webster – Director
Post Grad Dip Design Management & Innovation Strategy

Louise is a senior innovation consultant and director of Ideas Accelerator. She has worked on the implementation and development of large scale Innovation Management Programs for many years.

Her most recent work has been consulting to design, develop and implement Innovation Management systems and programs with the Research and Venturing Team at Telecom New Zealand Limited. Over the past year she has also worked closely with FRST and NZT&E to develop an Auckland strategy for the uptake and implementation of innovation practices for the Auckland Metro Project.

She blends creativity with a base of practical knowledge on innovation management and an in-depth understanding of the innovation landscape in New Zealand.

Chip Dawson – Director Pure IP

Chip is the Managing Director for International Business Management Limited, Data Systems Marketing Limited and is a valued Director of Ideas Accelerator Pure IP NZ Limited. He has been responsible for developing strategies and directions in a number of large multi-national organisations in management, sales, marketing, and product direction.

Chip has held numerous senior management roles with over 35 years experience in the aerospace, computer and IT industry, film and creative media, design graphics, and telecommunications markets in New Zealand, USA, Asia, and the UK. As Chairman of the Mecca Group (MCG), and M Fund Limited (a Venture Capital initiative), he has provided the guidance for an organization that develops relevant insights and advice for incubator and established companies on their Global Strategy.

Chip sits on the advisory board for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise for the Beachheads Project, Biotech Cluster, IT Cluster, Creative New Media, UCLA Graduate School of Business project. Chip has been an advisor to the ICEHOUSE and Strategic School of Business at University of Auckland on the 321Go-Global project.

He is also an advisor to the Hi-Growth ICT government initiative, and Committee for Auckland Australasian Access for USA and Asia Expansion.

Mark van Wijk - Director Performer Solutions
National Certificate in Business Computing

Mark is the newest member of our team. He also worked at Carter Holt Harvey and was part of the team that developed Ideas Accelerator’s i2B Performer. i2B Performer is an innovation management intranet or internet based platform that assists organisations in the practical application of innovation management processes.

He joins Ideas Accelerator with a range of skills in IT management, including contract negotiation, research and evaluation of IT applications and systems, design, development and support of Idea Management Systems.

Mark consults on the design of the innovation management system and the customisation and implementation of the innovation management platform i2B Performer.