Fundraising Fox

Tom Forbes

Investor

Associate Director Commercialisation - Student & Early Stage Ventures at Swinburne Innovation Studio

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

About

Tom Forbes holds an Associate Director role in Commercialisation at Swinburne University of Technology, focusing on space, aerospace, and student ventures. He brings over 15 years of executive and CEO experience in SaaS businesses across rail, logistics, and terminals sectors, including a recent position as VP of Rail and Head of Strategic Business Development at Navis, where he expanded the rail sales pipeline and advanced the company's freight rail technology positioning. His background encompasses P&L management, high-growth strategy, talent development, and stakeholder relations.

Experience

  1. Swinburne University of TechnologyAssociate Director, Commercialisation: Space, Aerospace & Student Venturescurrent2026 — presentMelbourne, VIC
  2. Swinburne University of TechnologyHead of Commercialisation - Space, Aerospace and AI2023 — 2026Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. mDetectNon Executive Director2024 — 2026Melbourne, VIC
  4. NavisVP of Rail and Strategic Business Development2019 — 2023Chicago, Illinois, United States
  5. Navis RailChief Executive Officer2016 — 2020Chicago, Illinois, United States
  6. BiarriCEO2013 — 2016Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  7. JeppesenDirector of Business Management2008 — 2012Brisbane, Australia
  8. JeppesenBoard Member2008 — 2012
  9. JeppesenHead of Rail Product Management2007 — 2008
  10. JeppesenRegional Sales Manager, Asia2006 — 2007
  11. JeppesenSales Director2004 — 2005
  12. BoeingBoard Member, Boeing Australia2008 — 2012
  13. OzSoft LtdGeneral Manager2000 — 2004
  14. Digital Mapping SolutionsSupport Manager1999 — 2000

Education

  1. Australian Institute of Company DirectorsMember
  2. QUT (Queensland University of Technology)MBA, International Business2004 — 2006
  3. St Joseph's Nudgee CollegeHigh School1988 — 1992

Skills & more

Profit & Loss Management1Digital MarketingSupply Chain Optimization1Railway SystemsRail Operations1Artificial Intelligence (AI)OptimizationStrategy Development2Solution Selling26P&L Management29Organizational Leadership14Transition Management3
+12 moreDivestituresBuilding RelationshipsStrategic ThinkingStrategyStart-upsCRMBusiness StrategyLeadershipManagementProject Portfolio ManagementBusiness DevelopmentAccount Management
  • Foundations of Directorship: Governance for Directors — Australian Institute of Company Directors
  • Foundations of Directorship: Risk and Strategy for Directors — Australian Institute of Company Directors
  • Foundations of Directorship: Finance for Directors — Australian Institute of Company Directors

From Tom's professional profile.

Colleagues at Swinburne Innovation Studio

Abhay Seth
Director of Commercial Innovation at Swinburne Innovation Studio
Alex Hadley
Manager, Intellectual Property Commercialisation at Swinburne Innovation Studio
Anu Mavilakandy
Manager, Intellectual Property Commercialisation at Swinburne Innovation Studio
Audrey Jean Baptiste
Head of Commercial Programs and Operations, Swinburne Innovation Studio at Swinburne Innovation Studio
Audrey Jean-Baptiste
Associate Director, Programs and Operations at Swinburne Innovation Studio
Cynthia Bernard
Administration Support Officer at Swinburne Innovation Studio
Ge Li
Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Swinburne Innovation Studio
Heath Evans
Associate Director, Climate Tech Hub at Swinburne Innovation Studio

Frequently asked questions

Where does Tom Forbes work?
Tom Forbes is Associate Director Commercialisation - Student & Early Stage Ventures at Swinburne Innovation Studio.

Same school

Also attended Australian Institute of Company Directors136

John DysonInvestment Principal at Starfish VenturesHelen SounessVenture Partner at RampersandTim HeasleyPartner at ArtesianKirsten BernhardtPrincipal at ArtesianJordan JeffreyPrincipal at ArtesianStephanie MorrisPrincipal at Artesian

+ 130 more

Also attended QUT (Queensland University of Technology)56

Esther GilmoreGlobal Head of the Client Team at Generation Investment ManagementSam EdenInvestor at Square Peg CapitalAndrew PoesastePartner at RampersandFredrik BergenlidPartner at Fly VenturesReuben BramaInvestor at IDEO CoLab VenturesWendy LamAdvisor at Chrysalix

+ 50 more

Also attended St Joseph's Nudgee College2

Andrew PoesastePartner at RampersandAlec WatsonSenior Analyst at Neu Capital

Shared employers

Also worked at Jeppesen2

Shane ArnottStrategic Advisor at Salus VenturesGaroe GonzálezVP of Data & Analytics at TheVentureCity

Also worked at Boeing92

Jeff BabioneSenior Advisory Board at IronGate Capital AdvisorsJillExecutive Assistant at Thomson Reuters VenturesBrian BellFounder & Managing Partner at Team IgniteVeronica DaiglePresident, National Security Practice at Red Cell IncubationIlya TokhnerPartner - Strategic Partnerships at Ghaf Capital PartnersTy FindleyCo-Founder + General Partner at Ironspring Venture

+ 86 more