Dr Donald Pridmore is an example of the well trained successful technical entrepreneur, of which Australia needs many more. Building on first rate academic preparation in geology and geophysics, he spent 1 O years learning the exploration 'trade' from the user's point of view in a large, innovative mining company, subsequently joining a small but aggressive airborne geophysical contractor. On the basis of his technical contributions in the latter company, airborne magnetic and electromagnetic surveys are now widely and effectively utilised for a range of problems not previously tractable with airborne geophysics, from environmental surveys to petroleum exploration. In doing so he nearly doubled sales to over $40 m, building a truly international R&D based operation with offices on all continents, and becoming Managing Director of the company.