Future Makers 2012
It appears not only are barriers such as technology and start-up capital coming crashing down for young Australian entrepreneurs, but also attitudes.
In compiling this year’s Future Makers – our annual selection of the most promising Aussie entrepreneurs aged under 25-years-old – one message came through time and again: Investors, business partners and customers just aren’t that bothered about age any more.
Maybe it’s the ‘Facebook effect’ of continual publicity of the fresh faced billionaires in Silicon Valley. Or maybe we are just ditching unnecessary prejudices regarding age. Maybe both.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that it’s not startlingly unusual for someone to start a business while at university, gain a legion of customers via social media and raise seven-figure sums in investment before they are out of their teenage years.
So which tyros are at the vanguard of Australia’s young entrepreneurs? We’ve picked out 10 start-ups we believe are destined for great things based on their innovation, passion and success to date.
To meet the class of 2012, click on each of the profiles below:
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Whitney Komor
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Business name: The Best DayAge: 24
State: NSW
Conventional wisdom suggests that you need a solid set of figures and serious runs on the board before investors will even look sideways at your start-up.
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Lachy Groom
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Business name: CardnapAge: 18
State: WA
Despite being just 18 years old, Lachy Groom has launched and sold three businesses. His fourth start-up, Cardnap, allows users to search for discounted gift cards and resell their own.
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Zac Altman
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Business name: Taxi ProAge: 20
State: NSW
Zac Altman was an IT student at the University of Technology in Sydney when he entered a competition to design applications for Android smartphones.
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Taylah Hasaballah
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Business name: Tiger TempleAge: 18
State: Queensland
Forced to scour op shops for clothes that she liked, Hasaballah struck upon the idea of launching an eCommerce site and accompanying blog to showcase little-known designers and offer something to shoppers who want something a little different.
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Elliott Donazzan
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Business name: One Cent FlightsAge: 19
State: NSW
Donazzan became interested in the concept of online auctions while running an eBay-based business in school.
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Toby and Jason Schulz
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Business name: MyNappiesAge: 19 (Toby), 24 (Jason)
State: Queensland
Two young brothers might not sound like the ideal candidates to launch a nappy business, but Toby and Jason Schulz are unwavering in their vision for MyNappies.
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Ruchi Shrestha
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Business name: Apex HuntingAge: 25
State: NSW
Shrestha heads up Apex Hunting, which supplies archery equipment for everyone from beginners to professionals via a website and an eBay store. It was founded in January last year.
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Mathew Carpenter and Callum Chapman
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Business name: CapptureAge: Both are 20-years-old.
State: NSW
What do you do if your founding team is decimated by the undeniable lure of working for tech giants Google, Apple and Facebook?
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Chanel Costabir
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Business name: The Lingerie Boutique and Sheer NoviceAge: 24
State: Victoria
Just three years ago, Costabir was a 21-year-old with absolutely no business experience. Now she owns and operates two firms – The Lingerie Boutique and Sheer Novice.
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Liza Shulyayeva
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Business name: Techalite Web Consulting Age: 24
State: WA
Liza Shulyayeva is an Australian and Ukrainian dual citizen living in Stockholm, where she works as a build manager at a game development studio called DICE.
