Our Expertise
Diverse expertise driving regional innovation and entrepreneurship
Dr. Rob Layton
Director | Analytics & Development
Dr. Rob Layton brings exceptional credentials and diverse experience to lead Eurekative's vision for regional innovation. His unique combination of academic research and practical entrepreneurship bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.
Academic Excellence
- PhD in Cybercrime Analytics - Federation University Australia's Internet Commerce Security Laboratory
- Honorary Research Fellow - Federation University Australia
- Inaugural Young Alumni of the Year - Federation University Australia
Professional Experience
- Chief Research Officer - BRAIN (Ballarat Region AI Network)
- Co-founder - Protekt GPS, Australian fleet management leader with $250M+ in customer savings
- Python Trainer - Python Charmers
- Key Partner & Expert Speaker - Runway Ballarat Incubator Programs
Leadership Philosophy
Known for his accessible approach to complex technical processes, Rob regularly conducts coffee-based consultations and speaks at public events to demystify startup development. His presentations on agile prototyping processes and startup methodologies have become cornerstone elements of Ballarat's innovation events.
Ian Firns
Co-founder | Design & Development
Ian Firns brings military-grade electronic engineering expertise and advanced fabrication skills to Eurekative. His technical depth and hands-on approach have been instrumental in establishing Ballarat's innovation infrastructure.
Technical Background
- Ex-Military Electronic Engineer - Bringing defense-grade technical standards to civilian innovation
- Advanced Fabrication Specialist - Expert in 3D printing, laser cutting, and digital manufacturing
- IoT and Hardware Development - Deep expertise in connected devices and embedded systems
Community Leadership
- Co-founder & Vice President - Ballarat Hackerspace
- FabLab Co-establisher - Australia's third Fabrication Laboratory at Federation University
- STEM Education Advocate - Regular workshop facilitator for electronics and digital fabrication
Notable Projects
Ian's rapid prototyping capabilities were showcased during the COVID-19 pandemic through the GeVentor ventilator project, where he produced critical 3D-printed valve components for emergency medical equipment. His vision is to be "part of the driving force progressing the tech culture" in regional Victoria.
Scott Weston
Operations & Development
Scott Weston brings Silicon Valley experience from his time at Google, offering global technology perspectives to regional projects. His unique combination of international best practices and commitment to regional development strengthens Eurekative's capability to help regional startups compete globally.
Global Experience
- Former Google Employee - Silicon Valley experience and global tech industry insights
- Operations Excellence - Expertise in scaling technology operations and processes
- Software Development - Full-stack development capabilities with modern technologies
Regional Commitment
- Co-founder - Ballarat Hackerspace
- Community Educator - Teaching programming, 3D printing, and electronics
- Innovation Catalyst - Bridging global best practices with regional opportunities
Educational Philosophy
Scott's approach to education focuses on "showing off what is possible, getting people thinking how can you make something better, hopefully sparking someone's imagination." This philosophy drives his workshops on building custom 3D printers, programming Raspberry Pi computers, and electronics projects.
Combined Expertise
Together, our team brings a unique combination of skills and experience to regional innovation
Technical Depth
Military electronics, cybercrime analytics, and Silicon Valley experience
Academic Rigor
PhD research, university partnerships, and evidence-based approaches
Community Focus
Hackerspace leadership, STEM education, and ecosystem building
Global Perspective
International experience applied to regional innovation challenges
Our Approach
We combine deep technical expertise with genuine commitment to regional development
"We craft digital, technical and physical thinking to bring your concepts to life. We are passionate about bringing your ideas to life."
Our unique value proposition combines international best practices with deep local knowledge, creating solutions that help regional startups compete in global markets while maintaining their regional roots and values.