Graham Scown
InvestorChief Executive Officer at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
Christchurch Metropolitan Area
About
CEO of Ministry of Awesome, leading its mission to build a collaborative startup ecosystem across Aotearoa. An innovation leader experienced in strategy, cross-functional programme design, and connecting government, universities, startups, and industry.
Experience
- Ministry of AwesomeChief Executivecurrent2025 — present
- University of CanterburyEngineering Management Advisory Boardcurrent2025 — presentChristchurch City, Canterbury, New Zealand
- Scown StrategicDirector, Strategy & Innovationcurrent2009 — presentNew Zealand
- Auckland UniServices LimitedMomentum Programme Director2016 — 2024
- Auckland UniServices LimitedProgramme and Commercialisation Director, Return On Science and Momentum Programmes2012 — 2024
- BecaNew Ventures Accelerator Innovation Advisory Board Member2018 — 2022Auckland, New Zealand
- AusBiotechProfessional Speaker2016 — 2018Australia
- Hong Kong Trade Development CouncilProfessional Speaker2013 — 2018Hong Kong
- Seradigm LtdConsultant2011 — 2012New Zealand
- Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA)ICT and Procurement Process Consultant2011 — 2012Christchurch
- Ministry for Science & InnovationDirector Commercialisation2010 — 2011
- Foundation for Research, Science and TechnologyDirector Commercialisation2007 — 2010
- Foundation for Research Science and Technology (FRST)Senior Business Manager2006 — 2007
- MediaLab South Pacific LtdSenior Project Manager2003 — 2005
- Unlimited PotentialChair - Unlimited Potential2003 — 2005Wellington & Wairarapa, New Zealand
- FonterraSenior Business Analyst2002 — 2003
- Ceritas Digital Ltd (formerly Turing Soutions Ltd)Business Analyst1999 — 2001
- Zygo Design LtdDirector & Co-founder1998 — 1999
Education
- Lincoln University (NZ)Bachelor of Commerce and Management, Marketing1995 — 1998
- Christ's College, Canterbury
Skills & more
TeamworkStrategy29Strategic Planning31Leadership2Team Leadership1Management6Analysis5Organizational LeadershipStrategic Leadership8Workshop Facilitation3Business Strategy26Business Planning14
+12 more
Start-upsChange ManagementManagement ConsultingStakeholder EngagementProject ManagementResearchGovernmentBusiness Process ImprovementBusiness DevelopmentEntrepreneurshipBusiness AnalysisProgram ManagementFrom Graham's professional profile.
Colleagues at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
Bekah Tregonning
Creative Marketing Specialist at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
Ben Erskine
Chief Marketing Officer at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
Bridget Unsworth
Trustee at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
Brough Johnson
Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
Dale Stephens
Trustee + Chair at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
Dan Khan
Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
Dianne Jones
Startup Coach at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
Georgia Lee
Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Graham Scown work?
- Graham Scown is Chief Executive Officer at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome).
Same school
Also attended Lincoln University (NZ)2
Also attended Christ's College, Canterbury2
Shared employers
Also worked at Ministry of Awesome7
Debra HallChair at NZ Growth Capital PartnersDr Lari DkharSenior Investment Analyst at NZ Growth Capital PartnersMarian JohnsonElectrify Chairwoman at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)Zach Warder GabaldonChief Innovation Officer at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)Ben ErskineChief Marketing Officer at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)Tori BallHead of Operations at Founder Catalyst (Ministry of Awesome)
+ 1 more
Also worked at University of Canterbury7
Maggie PeacockSenior Marketing Executive at Icehouse VenturesHesh DantanarayanaInvestment Director at Advent PartnersDr Stuart LansleyInvestor at Motion CapitalMerryn TawhaiDirector at Cure Kids VenturesMichael GoldsteinPartner at AfterWork VenturesMark BillinghurstPartner at Super Ventures
+ 1 more
Also worked at Auckland UniServices Limited6
Avantika GuptaPrincipal at Type One VenturesMarcel van den AssumDirector at NZ Growth Capital PartnersDr Tim StirrupInvestor at Motion CapitalDarja NelsonOperating Partner at Bridgewest VenturesTamsin BatemanInvestment Manager at Bridgewest VenturesZac ThomasPortfolio Development Manager, Startupbootcamp Mexico City at Finnovista VC
