Having founded software group Atlassian back in 2002, both Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes have transformed the company into a huge success, with revenue in the hundreds of millions, an investment worth $60 million from a major American VC firm and a rumoured IPO.
Farquhar and Cannon-Brookes are very much the poster children for the new wave of Australian tech companies. Both are cited as inspirations among the tech community, and this year the pair achieved a milestone by topping the BRW Young Rich list with a combined fortune of $US550 million.
With an IPO rumoured to be coming sooner rather than later, these two aren’t just examples of how the Australian tech scene has thrived – with a huge payout for both themselves and employees on the horizon, they’re helping enable yet another generation of entrepreneurs.
The increasing popularity and success of tech businesses means investment opportunities are beginning to pop up with much greater frequency. Blackbird Ventures represents one of the best opportunities any new tech business has in taking their enterprise to the next level.
There’s not just one person behind Blackbird Ventures’ success. Founded by a group of tech veterans, including the Atlassian founders and private equity figures such as Southern Cross Venture Partners’ Bill Bartee and MLC Private Equity manager Rick Baker, the $20 million fund targets businesses looking for the next leg-up to global success.
Considering the size of the tech market will continue growing with an influx of IPOs, Blackbird Ventures is in a solid spot to spy the next big thing.
Ian Oppermann has helped boost the CSIRO’s reputation as a centre known for its excellent research, and has helped continue that perception as head of the Digital Productivity and Services Flagship.
But Oppermann’s expertise isn’t just grounded within CSIRO walls. He has authored several books, is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia, and speaks regularly about new technologies and their impacts on industry. Last year, he was chairman of the IEEE Personal Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications conference.
The chief executive of the Australian Information Industry Association took on the role in 2011, but has already created a good name for herself. Industry veterans respect her achievements in both increasing membership and legislative victories.
Previously at Telstra, Campbell has experience working with major banks and government agencies, and has also worked as managing director of MCI WorldCom.
Despite Microsoft’s woes, Pip Marlow has been able to navigate a relatively smooth path for the local operation. The Windows 8 campaign was solid and Marlow is said to have introduced a number of internal shake-ups to help move things along.
And although the company will continue to undergo a significant restructure soon enough, with the addition of an as yet unnamed chief executive, Marlow’s position seems secure enough for now. With Australia being a significant market for the company, it’s difficult to believe any restructure would affect Marlow’s position.
There is a reason Michael Harte, CIO of the Commonwealth Bank, has remained on this list for several years. He has not only spearheaded a huge upgrade from within his own company, but is widely regarded as having the most expertise among the big four.
The biggest benefit of this upgrade? Real-time services, a trend the Reserve Bank has deemed so important it has issued statements urging banks to upgrade their systems as soon as they can.
Harte’s knowledge extends across a wide array of technology topics, having spearheaded the implementation of several new services. Among the big four, Commonwealth has the fewest number of crippling issues leading to downtime.
The end result? The Commonwealth Bank has one of the most advanced banking tech systems in the country, and it’s doing so for less money.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
