Dr. Mathew Welch is the founder and CEO of Red Earth Pollen and a seasoned industry leader with over a decade of commercial beekeeping experience in Western Australia. Mat has been heavily involved in industry development since founding Red Earth Honey in 2014, serving numerous roles including as a Director on the Bee Industry Council of Western Australia (2017-2024), President of the Western Australian Beekeepers Association (2018-2021), and Chair of the WA Honey Research and Development Group (2018-2019). Mat continues to drive innovation and is exploring new ways beekeepers can diversify to add value to their businesses. Holding degrees in biomedical science and molecular biology from Murdoch University and a Doctorate from Curtin University, Mat is drawing on his academic and research background to establish new opportunities for Australian beekeepers. By developing capabilities in honeybee propolis collection, processing and refinement, as well as conducting functional research on extracted bioactives, he aims to create a diversified income stream for beekeepers (just as he has with pollen), as well as a range of unique, Australian, value-added agrifood and nutraceutical products.