Key Facts:
- Appointee: Eric Gao, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Boman Group
- Appointment: Member, Melbourne Innovation and Investment Advisory Board
- Established by: City of Melbourne
- Role: Providing strategic advice on Melbourne’s innovation, investment and economic development, supporting the delivery of The Melbourne Advantage: Economic Development Strategy 2030
- Date of appointment: Oct 2026
In Oct 2026, Boman Group Founder and Chief Executive Officer Eric Gao was appointed as a member of the Melbourne Innovation and Investment Advisory Board.
Established by the City of Melbourne, the Board brings together members from business, industry, government and the innovation ecosystem. It will provide strategic advice on Melbourne’s future innovation, investment and economic development, and support the delivery of the city’s economic development strategy, The Melbourne Advantage: Economic Development Strategy 2030.
Bringing Industry and Investment Perspectives to Melbourne’s 2030 Strategy
The Melbourne Advantage: Economic Development Strategy 2030 is a key economic strategy for the city’s future, focusing on the innovation ecosystem, attracting talent and businesses, investment promotion, and the city’s competitiveness and liveability.
As an important part of the mechanism for delivering this strategy, the Melbourne Innovation and Investment Advisory Board will draw on the experience of members from different sectors to provide advice and guidance on relevant projects, programs and economic development issues facing the city.
The Board’s mission: strengthening investment, accelerating innovation, attracting global talent and enhancing Melbourne’s global competitiveness.
Source: City of Melbourne
Eric Gao’s appointment closely reflects the areas he has focused on throughout his career. He arrived in Melbourne as a student in 2002, and went on to build his career and found his business in the city. Over the past fifteen years, he and the Boman Group team have consistently connected Australian and Asian markets, building deep experience in cross-border investment, asset management, corporate development and international market expansion.
In its official introduction of Board members, the City of Melbourne notes that Eric Gao’s work has long sat at the intersection of innovation investment, international market entry and investment attraction. Through long-term collaboration with international businesses, family offices, investment institutions and the local market, he has gained direct, ongoing insight into how global capital evaluates markets, and how businesses enter Australia and build a foundation for long-term growth.
From Cross-Border Connections to City Development
For Melbourne, attracting global capital, businesses and innovation resources is not only about being seen. It is about turning investment interest into lasting commercial activity.
From helping international businesses understand the Australian market, to connecting Asian capital with local investment opportunities, to fostering collaboration between businesses and industry resources, Boman Group has long played a role in connecting Australia and Asia.
Joining the Melbourne Innovation and Investment Advisory Board means this front-line market experience will now contribute to discussions on Melbourne’s future innovation and investment development.
Eric Gao said:
“Melbourne is the city where I studied, built my career, and established my family and business. For the past fifteen years, my team and I have been dedicated to connecting the business and capital markets of Australia and Asia. I am honoured to join the Board, and I look forward to bringing my experience and perspective to its discussions and contributing to Melbourne’s future innovation, investment and economic development.”
Connecting Australia and Asia, Creating Long-Term Value
Since its founding, Boman Group has been firmly based in Australia, with business spanning asset management and investment, cross-border corporate development and industry resource connection. The Board’s focus on investment attraction, the innovation ecosystem and global business connections naturally aligns with Boman Group’s long-standing work.
Boman Group holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL No. 505332), as well as Hong Kong SFC Type 4 and Type 9 licences, a Singapore Capital Markets Services (CMS) licence and New Zealand Financial Service Provider (FSP) registration, along with QFLP and QFII qualifications in China.
This appointment further continues that direction. In this role, Eric Gao will bring his cross-border investment experience and front-line insights into international businesses and Asian markets to the Board’s discussions, offering Melbourne a market-based perspective.
About Eric Gao
Eric Gao is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Boman Group. He holds a Bachelor of Economics and Finance from RMIT and a Master of Applied Finance from Monash University, along with certificates in fintech, blockchain and big data from Oxford and MIT. In 2018, he received the Golden Wattle Award, being named one of the Top 10 Outstanding Chinese Youths in Australia. In 2024, he was honoured with the Business Achievement and Alumni Enterprise Award at the 16th Australia China Alumni Awards (ACAA). In 2026, he was appointed by the City of Melbourne to the Melbourne Innovation and Investment Advisory Board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Melbourne Innovation and Investment Advisory Board?
The Melbourne Innovation and Investment Advisory Board was established by the City of Melbourne. Its members come from business, industry, government and the innovation ecosystem, and it provides strategic advice on Melbourne’s innovation, investment and economic development, supporting the delivery of The Melbourne Advantage: Economic Development Strategy 2030.
Who is Eric Gao?
Eric Gao is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Boman Group. He came to Melbourne as a student in 2002 and later founded Boman Group in the city. He has extensive experience in cross-border investment, asset management and international market expansion, and was appointed to the Melbourne Innovation and Investment Advisory Board in 2026.
What is Boman Group?
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Boman Group is a cross-border asset management firm offering wealth management, funds management and corporate advisory services. With more than 15 years of experience across technology innovation, healthcare, renewable energy and alternative assets, the Group holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL No. 505332).
About Boman Group
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Boman Group is a cross-border asset management firm with more than 15 years of experience across technology innovation, healthcare, renewable energy and alternative assets. The Group holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL No. 505332), as well as Hong Kong SFC Type 4 and Type 9 licences, a Singapore CMS licence and New Zealand FSP registration.
Disclaimer: BMYG Capital Pty Ltd (ACN 609 379 044), a subsidiary of Boman Group Pty Ltd (ACN 624 683 325), holds Australian Financial Services Licence No. 505332. Boman Asset Management Pty Ltd (ACN 133 561 887), the investment manager of the funds, is an authorised representative of BMYG Capital (AFS Representative No. 1275633). Fund products are available only to wholesale or professional investors (as defined in the Corporations Act) and are not available to retail investors. The information in this article is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice, and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs.
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