Richard McElhinney

Managing Director, Mechpart Pty Ltd &Chairman, Founders Forum

Working initially as a civil/structural engineer with Sinclair Knight and Partners in Sydney and Newcastle, Rick and his wife moved to Victoria, British Columbia in Canada in 1981 to work for Swan Wooster Engineering. He set up and managed the regional office until 1984. Always involved in the computer side of engineering, Rick purchased, in 1982, the 4th IBM PC delivered to Canada. With this new tool Rick developed a number of engineering related software packages that were eventually sold throughout the world. With a Canadian partner a software company was founded in early 1984. Later in 1984, Rick relocated his family and business to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he became involved in developing engineering software to manufacturers in the Midwest region of the USA.

Since returning to Australia, Rick has invested in and provided advisory services to a number of manufacturing and IT corporations. He has been involved in establishing and currently chairs Founders Forum Limited. The Founders Forum is a network of business angels who syndicate their efforts in assisting start-up companies through investment and mentoring. Rick is involved as an equity partner and maintains various levels of involvement including investor, CEO, chairman, director and advisor roles in a number of companies.

During the period from 2007 and 2008 Rick co-authored the book "Commercialising Innovation", which is a concise guide for entrepreneurs, mentors and angel investors.