ABOUT KENT MATLA
Innovation management grounded in experience, research, and practice
Kent Matla is an innovation-management leader, strategic adviser, author, and researcher with more than 30 years of executive, consulting, investment, and cross-border experience across Australia and Asia, including 21 years working in China.
His work sits at the intersection of innovation management, organisational capability, governance, ecosystems, investment, and implementation. He helps boards, executives, government, universities, professional bodies, and enterprise leaders translate innovation ambition into systematic, professional, and actionable management practice.
Kent is the author of Making Innovation Real: A Practical Guide to Innovation Management and the creator of the Making Innovation REAL™ body of research, models, frameworks, white papers, and diagnostic tools.
ABOUT MAKING INNOVATION REAL™
One connected body of work
Making Innovation REAL™ is Kent Matla’s umbrella brand for books, research, models, frameworks, white papers, diagnostic tools, and capability-building resources focused on systematic and professional innovation management.
Across these resources, the work addresses a consistent question: how can organisations move beyond fragmented innovation activity and build the systems, capabilities, and management discipline required to realise future value?
The work is research-grounded, practice-oriented, and designed to translate complex organisational challenges into clearer choices and practical action.
How the work connects
Books and white papers
Develop and communicate research-grounded management thinking.
Models and frameworks
Provide structure for understanding complex organisational systems.
Diagnostic tools
Reveal current capability, interdependencies, and priority gaps.
Capability building
Translate insight into leadership discussion, decisions, and action.
EXPERIENCE AND CREDENTIALS
Leadership informed by practice
Current leadership
Chairperson of the Australian Innovation Management Institute (AIMI)
Ambassador of the Global Council for Innovative Organisations
Managing Director of Triangle Capital Partners
Partner in Triangle Growth Partners
Chairperson of the Blak Angels Investment Network
Qualifications and professional credentials
Doctor of Business Administration candidate, Curtin University
Master of Business Administration, Curtin University
International Company Directors Course, Australian Institute of Company Directors
Certified ISO Innovation Management Expert
Certified Auditor on GIMI Innovation Management and ISO 56001
Certified Innovation Manager, Certified Innovation Professional. and Certified Innovation Professional Trainer
For Kent Matla’s broader professional profile, current roles, book, research, speaking, and advisory work, visit kentmatla.com.