20 July 2020 – Aneetha de Silva, Managing Director – Government ANZ at Aurecon, an engineering, design and advisory company, has been appointed to the board of LaunchVic, Victoria’s startup agency.

LaunchVic was established by the Victorian Government in 2016 as an independent agency responsible for developing Victoria’s startup ecosystem. Since then, it has fostered growth in Victoria’s startup and innovation sector through investments in over $45 million in grants, research, sponsorship, events and other programs and provided support to nearly 400 organisations and over 4,800 entrepreneurs.

In the last 2 years, Victoria’s startup ecosystem has doubled in value from US$1.6 billion in 2018 to US$4.8 billion in 2020.

Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Jaala Pulford announced Aneetha’s appointment alongside new Chair; Leigh Jasper and new directors, Ilona Charles and Teresa Engelhard. Existing directors Constantine Frantzeskos and Catriona Larritt were reappointed for another term.

With the new look LaunchVic Board, the Victorian Government has exceeded its target of 50 per cent female representation in new government board appointments.

Aneetha said, “Startups play a significant role in harnessing the creativity and vision, energy and courage of Victoria’s diverse and talented entrepreneurial community. I believe the innovation and enterprise of the startup ecosystem will generate the jobs of the future; critical to lead us through Victoria’s post-Covid economic recovery. I am excited to join the LaunchVic Board and be able to shape our State’s future.”

Aneetha has over 23 years’ experience across the government and private sectors in Australia, South Africa and the Asia Pacific. She has particular expertise as an advisor, developer and manager of large infrastructure assets and services, especially in transport, telecommunications and property. She a is a director of Aurecon’s Global Board and is also a Board Member of Roads Australia.