More than just good ideas

entrepreneur develops critical thinking skills at CHAC

Armed with a swag of accolades and international business success, globally renowned entrepreneur and CHAC alumnus Carl Hartmann has shown how a passion for solving problems is an important ingredient for career success. 

Graduating from the College in 2000, Carl has taken simple ideas and turned them into valuable, innovative tech solutions to

real-world problems, including Compono, a tech company that brings a data driven view to talent recruitment, applying algorithmic matching around skills, qualifications, and culture.

Most recently, Carl also co-founded Lyre’s Spirit Co – an innovative beverage company using cutting edge food science 

to recreate all the major spirits in a non-alcoholic format, allowing customers to create drinks they know in a no or low alcohol format.

In under two years, Lyre’s has become one of the most awarded non-alcoholic drink products in the world and is distributed in 45 countries.

Reflecting on his time at CHAC, Carl said he values the College’s focus on developing students’ creative and critical thinking capabilities.

“CHAC offers a well-rounded education. There was freedom of choice regarding study options, and as a student, we were encouraged to learn from experiences,” Carl said.

“Students were taught to think strategically and encouraged to question the world, to think critically.” 

After almost two decades of garnering knowledge and sharpening his skills and instincts, Carl enjoys sharing his experience and learnings with other budding entrepreneurs in a variety of capacities, including as an Adjunct Professor at The University of Queensland.

Carl said he sought after advice and mentoring at the start of his career journey, and now relishes the opportunity to provide guidance to others on their journey.

“The entrepreneurial track is a valid course of study. Do things you enjoy and be mindful of your return on effort,” Carl said. 

“Technology will create change in the future – so embrace it.”

Carl enjoys sharing his experience and learnings with other budding entrepreneurs in a variety of capacities, including as an Adjunct Professor at The The University of Queensland.