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71. Arjun Paliwal (32)
InvestorKit
Sydney
Research-driven national property advisory firm InvestorKit is the brainchild of Arjun Paliwal, who in 2018 left behind a comfortable career at the Commonwealth Bank to help people transform their wealth.
Paliwal had already been investing in properties since the age of 22, which was only a few years prior to him making the bold decision to found his buyer’s agency.
“Drawing from my own experience of using a buyer's agent client, I identified the flaws within the industry and saw an opportunity to make a positive impact by launching my own national property advisory firm,” he says.
“This agency would be driven by data insights, addressing the shortcomings I had personally encountered, and be a true people-first business.
“By interpreting and narrating data, we gain valuable insights into both the strengths and weaknesses of the residential and commercial property markets with machine learning and AI playing a key part in our data-driven forecasts.”
Paliwal’s firm is highly regarded within the industry and has won multiple awards, and its traction led to a doubling of revenue in FY24 with expectations to achieve the same feat again in FY25.
“Our client base encompasses various backgrounds, including professionals such as bankers and lawyers, affluent individuals with generational wealth, self-employed individuals, as well as first-time investors looking to avoid the costly mistakes that come from DIY investing,” he says.
“We are deeply committed to assisting anyone interested in initiating or expanding their property portfolios.
“Over the years ahead our business expansion includes acquisitions of other companies as we have a proven formula for not only business success in our industry but client portfolio success.”
To further strengthen its research-driven underpinnings, InvestorKit has committed a $1.6 million investment into artificial intelligence (AI) over the next three years.
Paliwal says the funds will be pooled into the group’s own internal L&D (learning and development) model, custom built CRMs (customer relationship management), portfolio and mapping software and other initiatives.
72. Ali Rosenberg (32) and Gaby Rosenberg (28)
Blossom App
Sydney
Since founding Blossom App in 2021, sisters Gaby and Ali Rosenberg have been dedicated to revolutionising fixed-income investing.
Their platform opens doors previously reserved for institutions and high-net-worth investors, offering individuals, businesses and self-managed super funds (SMSFs) access to high-quality, flexible, professionally managed fixed income products without fees or maximum investment limits.
Initially targeting Millennial investors and with a fairly high proportion of female customers representing 62.3 per cent of its users, since inception Blossom’s variety of product offerings has flowered with total funds under management (FUM) reaching $100 million at the start of this year.
Following Kiwi interest in Blossom even since its launch, the founders decided to take the plunge into a new market in December with an official opening in New Zealand, with a target FUM of NZ$25 million by the end of 2025.
Gaby Rosenberg says once New Zealand is up and running, Blossom is looking to explore other international markets to grow its business, although this is not likely to occur until the end of 2025.
“Our move is definitely off the back of feedback we are receiving from there. There are currently some competitors in the market that don’t invest in fixed income but are investing in global equities or Kiwi equities and providing access to the ASX for New Zealand investors,” she says.
“Some of those companies are doing extraordinarily well and so we know there is an appetite for these investment products in New Zealand.”
73. Dr Mohammed Al Ebrahimi (29) & Ali Al Ebrahimi (28)
People First Healthcare
Melbourne
Identifying an underserved demographic in home care, brothers Mohammed and Ali Al Ebrahimi founded People First Healthcare with a key focus on the Arabic-speaking community, starting in Melbourne’s northern suburbs but now present across five states.
The company currently delivers in-home support services to more than 1,200 elderly people and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) clients, and is looking to expand its offering to other parts of the country and also care for other communities of multicultural Australia.
With more than 350 staff and a rapidly-growing company, the brothers have achieved a lot in business, and this follows their previous venture Future Workforce which assists migrants and refugees to undertake training courses in catering and aged care.
What they view as one of their most important achievements however is the establishment of the Beloved Group in Roxborough Park.
“People First Healthcare built a drop-in centre for people to gather in the local shopping centre and the idea was that they could have a coffee, play cards or simply talk to their neighbours,” says Mohammed.
“It started as a business idea to spread information about our newly formed home care service, but it quickly morphed into something much bigger. People were coming to the group because they were stuck at home very isolated from their community.”
The drop-in centre idea – now with thousands of members connected on social media in Melbourne - was replicated when the company set up shop in Sydney.
“People First Healthcare takes great pride in the way it has not only reconnected people, but it has empowered them to live a better life and to access the services they need,” adds Ali, who notes the company is now also active in South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania.
74. Sky Kolade (30)
Association of Professional Builders
Gold Coast
With deep industry knowledge and a commitment to the niche market of residential homebuilders, the Association of Professional Builders (APB) has thrived globally with its offering of customised services including membership, business coaching and elite mentoring.
Sky Kolade set up the company at a very young age with her father Russ Stephens in a bid to improve builders’ lives, addressing industry problems ranging from overworking and underpayment to a lack of access to essential tools and systems.
“Unlike generic business coaches, APB's team has extensive experience and expertise specific to this sector,” she says.
“This targeted approach has helped over 1,000 building companies in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States improve their operations, increase margins, and achieve sustainable growth.”
The company has seen major growth in recent years, supported as well by a variety of initiatives in artificial intelligence, the development of educational tools, surveys, reports, and events, which it has hosted across four key country markets.
“Culturally, these countries share strong similarities with Australia, all being English-speaking with comparable construction industries. This cultural and industry alignment has enabled our successful launch and operation in these markets, pretty much from the first year in business,” she explains.
“Our builders consistently achieve remarkable results, proving the effectiveness of our training programs globally and we’re able to showcase this through our many video case studies and podcast interviews with clients.”
75. Bishara Hatoum (30)
Fundo Loans
Sydney
From beginnings in an “unassuming” shopping centre in Sydney’s southwest handing out leaflets for household goods rental business called Rent Instead, Fundo Loans represents the evolution of fintech entrepreneur Bishara Hatoum’s founder journey, amassing a sizeable loan book that grew by 63 per cent in FY24 alone.
His company strives to “transform the borrowing experience” with cutting-edge technology, personalisation and open banking, offering small-to-medium loans of $500 to $5,000 via an online application that can be completed in as little as three minutes.
“Technologically, Fundo Loans has advanced its artificial intelligence capabilities to assess risk more accurately, including for non-traditional credit profiles, reiterating our commitment to responsible lending,” Hatoum explains.
“This, in combination with revised marketing concepts has led to increased loan volumes and resultant revenue growth, with a higher performing portfolio.
“Our bank statement categorisation and prediction modelling has improved our processing times dramatically, made us more accurate and given customers what they want - a better experience.”
Since inception the company has serviced more than 246,000 individual loans to consumers with over $250 million lent to date, and last year Hatoum built on this legacy through the launch of US spin-off Savvy Loans with an office in Dallas, Texas.
“We may have started with nothing and bootstrapped, but now we are readying ourselves to give the big players in the space a run for their money,” Hatoum says.
“This is still day one for Fundo.”
76. Mia Plecic (33)
SLICKHAIR Company
Melbourne
A decade on after founding her first company while living on government welfare, prolific product-oriented entrepreneur Mia Plecic’s niche ventures have ranged from teeth whitening to juices to hair styling products.
The latter, SLICKHAIR, has a range of products from waxes to brushes to its Slick Stick wand that have become staples at major retailers both at home and abroad.
In FY24 sales grew 400 per cent for the brand, lifted by launches across three retailers in March 2024 – Boots in the UK, and Woolworths and Priceline in Australia, adding to an existing presence at Coles and other stores.
She founded the company in 2019 to deal with the problem of flyaway hairs that she’d dealt with personally.
“There was no quick fix solution that didn't leave your hair oily and crunchy, so, I created my own,” she says.
“SLICKHAIR is focused on addressing a common challenge that many women face - controlling frizz while maintaining a sleek, polished hairstyle.
“In a market where many products either weigh hair down or fail to deliver long-lasting frizz control, we offer a solution that keeps hair smooth and manageable, no matter the weather or hair type.”
77. Ben Delaney (27), Vanessa Zhao (26), Ho Jun Tang (27) and Adrian Brossard (27)
Yellowbox
Sydney
From its genesis at a UNSW pitching competition, Yellowbox has grown to become a global leader in workplace technology, solving locker management and access for large workplaces through automation.
Combining hardware and software, Yellowbox has shaken up an antiquated industry and become a critical enabler for hybrid working environments for large organisations ranging from the ASX to the Fortune 500.
“We had all had experience in corporate workplaces and saw the rise of technology impacting every aspect of the physical workplace, except lockers,” says co-founder Ho Jun Tang.
“We found that hours every day are spent managing traditional key and code locker systems with one full-time equivalent job to manage just 500 lockers, so we built the smartest locker system driven by software and enabled by our IoT lock technology.”
The system automates administration for facilities staff and provides a seamless locker booking and access experience for employees, who can open lockers with their swipe cards or mobile phones.
“Lockers have become a critical enabler for hybrid working environments in providing the homebase for staff, as their permanent desk and cabinet is transformed into a hot desk,” Tang says.
Related story: How digital disruptor Yellowbox became a global force in smart locker technology
78. Aidan Anderson (31)
The Local Project, The Local Production
Sydney
Aidan Anderson is the visionary behind The Local Project, a global media powerhouse that champions architecture and design.
What began as a passion project in Sydney has now evolved into a multi-platform publication that reaches 3.5 million design enthusiasts worldwide.
The Local Project spans print, digital and video content, showcasing cutting-edge architectural projects and fostering connections between designers and audiences across the globe.
Meanwhile, The Local Production acts as a full-service agency in the same sector, providing services ranging from videography to content creation to social media management, copywriting and more.
“Through our multifaceted narrative offering, The Local Project champions meaningful connections between industry experts, emerging designers and creative enthusiasts,” Anderson explains.
“Today, we continue to grow internationally while cultivating an authentic and engaged design-loving community.”
Anderson is setting up the group for growth with a $1.5 million build of its production studio, which will be used to launch new educational video series showcasing the creativity and expertise of leading industry professionals.
“This series will feature masterclass-style insights from architects, interior designers and other creatives, addressing topics such as sustainable design practices, collaborating with interior designers, building costs and garden design,” he says.
“This new content will complement our well-loved "house tour" videos, adding a layer of educational value that resonates deeply with our audience.
“By focusing on human-centred storytelling, we aim to foster a stronger connection with viewers who are eager for insightful and practical knowledge.”
79. Adam Jarrett (33)
Nexus Sports Nutrition, JUICD Energy
Gold Coast
While completing his university degree and working at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Adam Jarrett recognised a gap in the market for high-quality Australian supplements that seamlessly fit into people's busy daily routines without the traditional supplement stigma and taste.
Jarrett took the leap in 2017 to establish Nexus Sports Nutrition, which with the help of his co-founder Shane Berland has since grown to now employ more than 75 people with 250,000 units sold each month, including its unique protein sparkling water that Jarrett (pictured right with Berland) claims is “reshaping the market”.
“We cater primarily to fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals who seek convenient and effective ways to enhance their well-being,” he says.
The company notched remarkable growth in the past year, expanding its footprint from the specialty retail sector into the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) space by launching into Woolworths.
“We continued to lead in product innovation by successfully launching a groundbreaking protein sparkling water product, capturing the market's attention and replacing traditional sugary soft drinks and milky based protein,” he says.
“This innovation not only boosted our sales but also solidified our reputation for creating unique, health-focused products.
“Our growth can be attributed to several factors, including our high-quality products that drive repeat purchases, exceptional customer service, and more. However, the standout reason is our unique product offering paired with our core company values.”
80. Julian Fayad (32)
LoanOptions.ai
Sydney
Leveraging more than a decade of experience in the finance broker industry, Julian Fayad leads a fintech that has disrupted a traditionally clunky loan comparison process with tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
Founded in 2020, LoanOptions.ai has progressively been speeding up the time it takes to apply for a loan or get it approved, offering real-time tailored finance quotes from more than 90 lenders and counting.
“A fintech pioneer, it is making applying for a car, equipment, personal and business loan as easy as checking out in an online store,” Fayad says.
“It has the ability to be embedded on any mortgage broker, car dealer or financial advisor's finance systems, allowing them the opportunity to meet their clients' needs with unprecedented speed and effectiveness.”
Fayad says the platform has reduced the loan application process to as little as five minutes, and cut client data entry by 80 per cent.
“With absolutely no impact on the customer's credit score, it prefills client information and produces the best loan matches that the client is actually eligible for and that are most likely to be approved from a panel of over 90 lenders,” he says.
“Customers can also track the status of their loan application- like tracking a pizza - using the company's Loan Tracker tool.”
The company has experienced rapid growth, and since late 2023 its footprint has expanded internationally with its launch in New Zealand.
“While we have seen rapid growth in both our direct to consumer and business to business to consumer models, we imagine that our B2B2C model will likely takeover soon because there is a very real need in the industry for technology that can simplify, streamline and ultimately increase business,” Fayad adds.
Most recently, Loanoptions.ai has launched HAILO, a home loan application technology that can be white-labelled on a subscription basis by mortgage brokers, allowing clients to apply online in less than five minutes including providing the required documents.
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