Greetings, I'm Dirk Westera, an established professional with a strong background in architecture, design, and technology. I hold a Masters in Architecture and a Bachelor of Design (Architecture) with Second Class Honours, Division A.My career started with EMF Griffiths in 2014, where I contributed as an Office Junior, CAD Trainee, and ESD Green Star Assistant. I gradually transitioned my architectural background to align with technology, eventually joining VentureCrowd as the Design & Development Manager. There, I led diverse teams and projects, emphasizing integrating innovative tech solutions with traditional architectural principles.In recent years, I have expanded my horizons into the exciting world of startups and investments. As the Venture Partner at Kuranda Industries Pty Ltd since May 2022, I have been pivotal in shaping early-stage investments and nurturing startup ventures.My forte lies in the intermingling of Artificial Intelligence (AI), System Architecture, and Software as a Service (SaaS) with architectural designs. I've also developed strong skills in Angel Investing and the application of Platform as a Service (PAAS).Experience:Kuranda Industries Pty Ltd (May 2022 - Present) - Venture Partner. I've been applying my expertise in early-stage investment and startup ventures, playing an integral role in shaping the future of promising tech companies.VentureCrowd (May 2017 - Jul 2023) - Design & Development Manager. In this role, I've integrated my architectural knowledge with cutting-edge tech solutions, leading teams and developing innovative projects.SMSF Property Australia Pty Ltd (Jan 2016 - May 2017) - Assistant Architect. Here, I polished my architectural skills while gaining industry experience.W.I.M Architects (Mar 2015 - Jan 2016) - Graduate Architect. At this stage, I was able to utilize my academic knowledge in real-world architectural projects.EMF Griffiths (Apr 2014 - Mar 2015) - Office Junior, CAD Trainee, ESD Green Star Assistant. This foundational role allowed me to gain hands-on experience in the architectural industry.Apple (Aug 2011 - Apr 2014) - Retail Sales Specialist. This role helped me develop my customer service skills and gave me a front-row seat to the impact of technology in our daily lives.