Young entrepreneurs across Australia are building businesses worth billions. We’re talking about founders who started in their bedrooms and garages, faced countless rejections, and still pushed through to create some of the country’s most valuable companies.
Drawing from our experience covering Australia’s startup ecosystem, the numbers tell an impressive story. The country now has 2.7 million actively trading businesses, with 437,000 new entries in 2024-25 alone. Yet only 8% of small business owners are under 30, making these young entrepreneurs even more remarkable.
These Australia’s top founders are solving real problems, creating jobs, and proving that age doesn’t limit ambition. Across tech, retail, and social impact, they’re reshaping industries that older players thought were untouchable.
Let’s look at who’s leading the charge.
Who Are the Top Young Entrepreneurs in Australia?
Australia is home to an exceptional group of young entrepreneurs who have built global companies across tech, fintech, e-commerce, gaming, fitness, and social impact. They represent a mix of billion-dollar founders, fast-scaling startup leaders, and purpose-driven innovators who have taken Australian ideas to the world stage.
Let’s take a closer look at the founders leading that charge:
Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht: Canva
Canva now serves over 220 million users monthly across 190 countries, which makes design accessible to everyone. Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht co-founded the company back in 2013.
The platform is now valued at $26 billion with millions of users around the world. But getting there wasn’t easy. They faced rejection from 100 venture capitalists (and that’s just the rejections she counted) before finally securing funding for their design platform.
The beginning wasn’t easy, though. Melanie and Cliff built the company from Perkins’ mum’s house in Perth into a profitable multinational tech giant. Now, it’s well-known how it changed the process of creating visual content.
Alex Connolly, James Ferguson, and Robbie Ferguson: Immutable
Immutable gives gamers true ownership of their digital items, something traditional gaming companies never offered before.
The three co-founders created Immutable, a blockchain gaming platform that became one of Australia’s fastest-growing unicorns. They raised over $1 billion in funding to revolutionise how gamers own digital assets.
Technology here isn’t just fancy talk, to be honest. The team positioned Australia as a global leader in Web3 and NFT gaming technology, showing that Australian founders can compete with Silicon Valley on innovation. Their vision of digital ownership attracted major partners and changed the gaming industry.
Alex Zaccaria: Linktree
Ever wondered how influencers share multiple links from a single Instagram bio? That’s Linktree‘s doing.
Alex Zaccaria founded Linktree in Melbourne, solving the “link in bio” problem for social media creators. The platform grew to serve over 40 million users without initial venture capital funding.
He built a simple tool that became essential for influencers, brands, and content creators worldwide. What started as a solution for one annoying problem became a business that companies and creators can’t live without.
Market Lesson: Alex proved you don’t need millions in funding to build something the market actually wants.
Nick Molnar: Afterpay
Afterpay lets shoppers split purchases into four payments without interest, changing how millions buy online. Nick co-founded the company at just 23 years old, pioneering the buy now, pay later industry in Australia.
The story gets even better. He sold the company to Square for $39 billion in 2021, one of Australia’s largest tech exits. Nick reshaped consumer shopping habits and inspired countless BNPL competitors globally.
And the best part is that retail customers loved the flexibility, and merchants loved the increased sales. His innovation changed the entire retail industry.
Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes: Atlassian
The co-founders started Atlassian in 2002 with a $10,000 credit card, and according to our research, the company is now worth over $50 billion.
They built collaboration software used by hundreds of companies, including Jira and Confluence. Both Scott and Mike are worth approximately $20 billion each, ranking among Australia’s wealthiest entrepreneurs.
Their team collaboration tools became essential for software developers and businesses around the world. The beginning was humble, but their vision was huge.
Harry Sanders: StudioHawk
Harry Sanders runs one of Melbourne’s most respected SEO agencies, which helps brands dominate search results. He grew the agency to serve major Australian brands while still in his twenties.
The focus was simple: get results for clients through smart technology and genuine expertise.
Harry became a recognised voice in Australia’s digital marketing and SEO community, proving that young entrepreneurs can build profitable service businesses, too. His ability to explain complex SEO concepts helped him build a solid reputation.
Ben Pasternak: Simulate
What do you do when your high school app goes viral? If you were Ben, you would move to the US market and build a food tech company. Sounds ambitious, right?
Ben launched his first app at 15 while still in high school in Sydney. The app took off quickly. Then he founded Simulate, a food tech company creating plant-based meat alternatives in the US. He raised millions in funding and became one of Australia’s youngest successful tech entrepreneurs.
As Ben spent years building his reputation in the competitive food industry, he showed that age doesn’t determine what you can achieve. His journey from high school coder to food tech founder is pretty remarkable.
Taj Pabari: The ASE Group
At 12 years old, Taj became one of the youngest CEOs in Australia. He built a business consultancy and innovation lab serving clients across multiple industries.
Taj spent his teenage years learning business skills most adults never learn. That’s how he became a sought-after speaker on youth entrepreneurship and innovation at global events.
His story inspires other young Australian kids who think they need to wait until they’re older to start building something meaningful.
Corey Tutt: DeadlyScience
DeadlyScience brings STEM resources to remote Indigenous children who’d otherwise miss out on quality science education.
The truth is, many Indigenous Australian communities lack access to proper STEM resources. So the mission was clear from the start: bridge the education gap. DeadlyScience has delivered over 4,000 science books and equipment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Founder Insight: Corey was named NSW Young Australian of the Year in 2020 for his work bridging the STEM education gap. His community focus and dedication to Indigenous children show that success is sometimes about giving kids access to opportunities they deserve.
Alby Churven: AI Startup
Alby launched an AI technology startup focused on machine learning and automation solutions. He positioned his company in Australia’s growing artificial intelligence and tech innovation sector.
The space is crowded, but his team is carving out its spot. Working to scale operations and secure partnerships with established Australian businesses, Alby represents the next generation of tech founders betting on AI.
Yes, developing these solutions takes time, but the potential is huge.
Ed Craven: Stake.com
Ed’s online gaming platform grew so successful that he bought an $80 million Melbourne mansion before turning 30. That’s something worth celebrating, right?
He co-founded Stake.com, a global online casino and gaming platform with offices worldwide. Ed built the company from his earlier venture, Easygo, established in 2016 with Bijan Tehrani.
The gaming industry is competitive, but his vision and execution made Stake.com a major player. His story proves Australian entrepreneurs can compete globally in any industry.
Sam Prince: Zip Co
Sam co-founded Zip Co, one of Australia’s leading buy now, pay later fintech companies. He competed directly with Afterpay and expanded Zip’s operations to multiple international markets. The company went public on the ASX, raising significant capital for growth.
Sam’s ability to operate in a crowded market while building genuine value for retail partners and customers set Zip apart. His team focused on giving people flexible payment options that actually work.
Natasha Oakley: Monday Swimwear
Monday Swimwear shows how Instagram followers can become loyal customers, proving that social media builds real businesses.
Natasha co-founded the company with Devin Brugman and built a globally recognised swimwear brand. She used social media and influencer marketing to grow the brand across Australia and internationally.
The Winning Move: Natasha built her passion for beach lifestyle and fashion into a multimillion-dollar business. Her story shows how young entrepreneurs can build profitable retail brands by really understanding their customers and using modern marketing tools.
Noah Dummett: Shuffle
Noah Dummett launched Shuffle to create fresh digital experiences in Australia’s crowded tech market. He built the startup while navigating Australia’s competitive tech landscape as a young founder. The focus was on user experience and community building to differentiate from established competitors.
Jack Zhang and Lucy Liu: Airwallex
Tired of expensive international payment fees? Jack and Lucy built Airwallex to fix exactly that problem.
The co-founders started Airwallex in 2015 to solve expensive international payment problems for businesses. When they tried to operate their earlier café business, the payment fees were ridiculous. So they built a better way.
They grew the fintech platform into one of Australia’s three unicorn startups, which is valued at over $1 billion. They expanded globally, serving thousands of businesses with cross-border payment and banking solutions. Their vision of frictionless international payments became reality.
Kayla Itsines and Toby Pearce: Sweat
Kayla and Toby created the Sweat fitness app with the BBG (Bikini Body Guide) program, reaching millions of users who log in regularly. The team they built around the brand kept users engaged and coming back. They built a global fitness community and revolutionised how people approach home workout programs.
Finally, they sold the app for approximately $400 million (one of Australia’s largest fitness tech exits). Their story shows how understanding what customers actually need, then delivering it through simple technology, creates massive value.
Australia’s Top Young Entrepreneur Awards
So far, we’ve seen founders build billion-dollar companies across wildly different industries through their hard work and results, not just their vision.
And that hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Many of these founders have been recognised through Business News Australia‘s Australian Young Entrepreneur Awards (which annually celebrate the country’s most ambitious young business leaders under 40).
The awards showcase founders who’ve built successful businesses across technology, retail, social impact, and more. These entrepreneurs are proud to represent Australia on the global stage, showing what’s possible when you take the deal seriously and commit fully.
Honestly, recognition like this counts because it shows the rest of the world what Australian entrepreneurs are capable of building. It gives hope to the next generation of young founders who are just getting started.
What Are the Main Challenges for Young Entrepreneurs in Australia?
According to a Commonwealth Bank report, 85% of Australian entrepreneurs faced serious hurdles, with funding and time management topping concerns.
Let’s be real here. Building a business as a young entrepreneur in Australia comes with unique obstacles that older founders don’t always face. These challenges can make or break a startup in those early days.
However, when you know what to expect, it helps you prepare better. So here’s what you’ll likely face:
Securing Funding Without a Track Record
Traditional lenders (like banks and investors) view young founders as high risk due to a lack of credit history. When you’re just starting, proving your ability to manage money and build a sustainable company is tough.
That’s why young entrepreneurs must explore alternative funding from sources like government grants(Industry Growth Program, CSIRO Kick-Start), crowdfunding platforms (Kickstarter, Pozible), or angel investor networks. These options give you access to capital without needing years of business experience.
Worth Noting: The process takes time due to application requirements and approval delays, but it’s doable if you stay persistent.
Building Professional Networks from Scratch
How do you gain client trust when you’re starting from zero connections? It’s one of the toughest early challenges because relationships take time to build.
Older entrepreneurs have established connections that provide mentorship, advice, and business opportunities. They’ve spent years building relationships that open doors.
On the other hand, young founders lack industry relationships, making it harder to gain client and investor confidence. People want to work with someone they know or someone who comes recommended.
Here’s the solution: Joining business associations, accelerators, and networking events helps build valuable connections quickly. These communities in Australia actively support young entrepreneurs looking to grow their network. At this point, every conversation counts.
Managing Cash Flow in Early Stages
Finding and retaining customers ranks as the top challenge for 37% of entrepreneurs (Source: Commonwealth Bank). Without steady customers, cash flow becomes unpredictable fast.
Many young founders struggle to balance time between running operations and growing their business. The late nights add up when you’re handling everything yourself. But maintaining cash reserves for unexpected expenses prevents many startups from collapsing early. If you spend wisely, that cushion gives you breathing room when challenges hit.
Now that you know the challenges, you might be wondering what support is actually available to help you overcome them.
What Government Support Is Available for Young Australian Entrepreneurs?
Australian entrepreneurs can access Industry Growth Program grants, Startup Year loans, and R&D tax incentives worth millions annually.
The Australian government actually wants you to succeed. That’s why they’ve set up multiple programs specifically designed to help young entrepreneurs and businesses get off the ground.
These aren’t loans you need to pay back, either. Most of this support is non-dilutive, which means you keep full ownership of your company.
Learn what’s available:
Industry Growth Program Grants
The Industry Growth program offers grants from $100,000 to $5 million for startups commercialising innovative products or services. If you’re developing new technology or bringing a fresh idea to market, this program can help.
It provides early-stage commercialisation support and growth funding through two separate grant streams:
- Early-stage commercialisation projects (helps you get your product market-ready)
- Commercialisation and growth projects (this one helps you scale)
The details are straightforward once you dig into the application process.
Startup Year and STARTUP-HELP Loans
The government introduced this program to help 2,000 young Australians launch their startup ideas each year.
Think of it like a HECS loan but for entrepreneurship. The program prioritises support for First Nations Australians, women, people with disabilities, and regional startups. Access to these loans opens doors for people who might not otherwise get the chance.
Even recent graduates and final-year students can participate in startup courses at Australian universities. These university programs give you the skills and network you need to launch something.
R&D Tax Incentive for Innovation
Did you know you can get cash back for developing new technology, even if you’re losing money? Yeah, with the R&D Tax Incentive, that’s possible.
The incentive provides tax relief instead of cash grants for eligible science and technology companies. It’s one of the more generous programs available since loss-making startups receive equivalent tax incentives as cash refunds. That helps early-stage businesses significantly.
For income years starting on or after 1 July 2021, entities engaged in R&D are entitled to:
- Refundable Offset: Companies with aggregated turnover under $20 million can claim refundable tax offsets equal to their company tax rate plus an 18.5% premium on eligible R&D expenses.
- Non-Refundable Offset: For other eligible entities, the offset equals the company tax rate plus premiums ranging from 8.5% to 16.5%, depending on your R&D spending.
Based on our experience, the real advantage comes from how this incentive supports ongoing innovation without requiring immediate profitability.
So you’ve got access to funding and support. But how do you become a successful entrepreneur in Australia? Let’s break down the practical steps.
How Can You Become a Successful Entrepreneur in Australia?
To become a successful entrepreneur in Australia, you need a clear idea, solid planning, and the determination to keep going when things get tough.
Follow these steps to build your business:
- Identify Real Problems: The best businesses start by fixing something that frustrates people. Look around your community and listen to what customers actually need, identify problems or market gaps your business idea can solve effectively. Your idea should solve a real problem, not just something you think sounds cool.
- Research Your Market: You need to know if people will pay for what you’re building and what the industry looks like right now. So conduct thorough market research to understand customers, competitors, and industry demand patterns. Spend time on this because it influences everything else.
- Draft Your Plan: Your business plan doesn’t need to be 100 pages long. But it should clearly explain your vision, how you’ll make money, and what you need to get started. And creating a detailed business plan outlining goals, strategies, financial projections, and operational structure will help you think through the details and show investors you’re serious.
- Pick Your Structure: In Australia, you can set up as a sole trader, partnership, company, or trust. Each structure affects your taxes, liability, and how you operate.
- Handle Legal Requirements: Register your business, obtain an ABN, and understand your tax obligations from day one. This is the boring but necessary stuff. You’ll need an Australian Business Number (ABN) to operate legally, and understanding your tax obligations early saves headaches down the track.
- Grow Your Network: When you connect with other professionals through events, associations, and experienced mentors, they provide advice, partnerships, and sometimes even customers. Relationships open doors you didn’t know existed.
- Secure Your Funding: We covered government support earlier, but explore all your options. Grants, angel investors, crowdfunding, or even starting small with your own savings. Each funding path has trade-offs. The idea is to find what works for your situation without giving up too much control too early.
- Stay Adaptable: The journey will test you. Late nights, setbacks, and moments where you question everything are normal. But successful entrepreneurs push through, learn from mistakes, and adjust their approach.
This is your life to build. The next generation of Australian success stories starts with someone taking that first step. And it could be you.
Your Entrepreneurial Journey Starts Today
Young entrepreneurs across Australia are proving that age doesn’t limit what you can achieve. Canva’s billion-dollar valuation and DeadlyScience’s community impact both show what’s possible when you back yourself and refuse to quit.
The challenges are real. Funding, networks, and cash flow will test your patience and determination. But the support exists through Government grants, accelerator programs, and a growing entrepreneurial community that wants to see you succeed. Your dream doesn’t need to wait.
Start small if you need to. Research your idea, talk to potential customers, and take that first step. The future of Australian business needs fresh vision and new solutions. Your story could be next.
For more inspiring entrepreneur stories and business insights, explore Australian Business Magazine.
