Founders & Friends

Sylvia is a materials scientist with a special focus on renewable energy and commercialisation. She was cofounder and MD of ASX listed Dyesol, is currently chairing ASX listed Zeotech and is a director/chairman of several startups, as well as the Griffin Accelerator, Canberra startup accelerator.

Andrew Carstens is an engineer with an MBA, having worked in engineering, venture capital and management consulting over the last 30 years. In 2005 he was a founder of Envista Pty Ltd, an information technology company serving Defence and National Security clients. Envista grew rapidly and was eventually acquired by Australia’s fourth largest employer Downer EDI Ltd in 2018 to form Downer Defence Systems. In recent years, Andrew has pursued other growth business opportunities as an investor and director, including open source intelligence services business Worldstack, and reg-tech company CastlePoint, along with investments in a range of innovative companies in sectors including battery, solar, soil conditioning and carbon capture, as well as a craft brewery. Andrew invested in Greatcell Energy.

Uwe is the Principal of the law firm, Boettcher Law, starting his career at the firm now known as King & Wood Mallesons. He is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries. In 2011 he was appointed as a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Association of Angel Investors. In 2005 he was appointed a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Banking and Finance. In 1996/97 he was the Treasurer of the ACT Law Society. Uwe has a special interest in commercialising new and innovative technologies, investing in them and bringing them to market. He is Chairman of Mineral Carbonation International Pty Limited, The Kord Group of Companies and Health Innovate Pty Limited and sits on the board of several other companies.

Luca Sorbello holds a Master of Arts in “Business Organization and Management” from the Engineering Management school at Tor Vergata. Since 2004 he has been an adjunct professor at Tor Vergata University in Rome.  From 2005-2008 Luca completed his Ph.D. in Industrial Management at the University of Tor Vergata (Rome). From 2011 to 2018, Luca Sorbello was Executive Sales and Marketing Manager of Greatcell Solar group. He has subsequently been appointed as Managing Director for Greatcell Solar Italia.

Paul Moonie is Greatcell Australia’s CEO and director of Pilot Production operations in Bomen, near Wagga Wagga, NSW. Paul has been working on 3rd generation photovoltaics for almost 20 years in both industry (STI and Dyesol) and academia (QUT), with a highly successful track record in product development. He has been a key member to achieve milestone successes in collaborative projects with multi-national corporations, Australian Department of Defence, and universities. Paul was a member of the team that designed and fabricated the world’s most stable Dye-Sensitised solar cells; he has several journal articles and relevant patents in 3rd Gen PV product development and has an extensive network of professional contacts across the globe from his collaboration with high end laboratories such as EPFL.

Tom Fontaine is a professional engineer with degrees in physics and mathematics. He is an experienced company director who has considerable experience in the energy industry. He has been on the board and management of a number of private and ASX listed companies.

Tom was a founder and director of Pure Energy Resources Limited (ASX:PES) which listed on the ASX in 2006 and was purchased by takeover for $1 billion in 2010. He has been a founder and builder of successful energy companies in Africa, Cuba, North America and Australia.

Sung Il Lee is a professional electronics engineer with an MBA from University of Washington. He has over 20 years' industrial experience in a major conglomerate in Korea. He has demonstrated sound decision-making abilities, strategic thinking capabilities and has become a proactive leader and a goal achiever with a clear vision. As a top manager he has made possible numerous accomplishments coming from his strong leadership and management capability. He has evidenced a working knowledge in various fields, including business development, sales & marketing, project management, research & development, and financial management. He was Head of Global Development for Dyesol.

Murray has more than 30 years’ experience in administrative and accounting roles in both the public and private sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a member of the Governance Institute of Australia. In addition to experience as a company director, he has 12 years’ experience as a company secretary of several ASX and AIM listed companies in the resources and technology sectors.