iframes
It was Edward Lakman’s own search to buy a pair of sunglasses online from an Australian business that led him to establish iframes, a pure-play online store dedicated to selling quality glasses at affordable prices.
AlertForce
Brendan Torazzi describes himself as a serial entrepreneur. As a teenager, Torazzi started a business promoting bands and, while at university, he founded a translation agency that he operated for 10 years before selling it. After a few years travelling with his wife, he helped launch a fashion business in Sydney before trying his hand at bringing Metro sleep pods out to Australia.
Ventis HQ
Blair Milnes says he still feels the home ventilation company he founded with his two good friends four years ago is in “startup mode”, despite now employing 80 staff members and growing to a network of eight franchises.
Lighthouse8
There are no meeting rooms at the Manly offices of Lighthouse8, the digital strategy and management consultancy that has secured the 10th spot on this year’s Smart50 list.
Key Person of Influence
There’s no exit plan and “no way” the mates, who met at high school, would sell up.For Glen Carlson and Daniel Priestley, their business, Key Person of Influence (part of their overarching Entrevo business), is a labour of love.
Outware Mobile
Chances are your mobile phone has an app on it designed by Outware Mobile. The business founded by Eytan Lenko, Daniel Gorog and Gideon Kowadlo less than five years ago has created a big impact in a short space of time, creating apps for ANZ, Telstra, Sportsbet and nib.
Hard To Find
Erica Stewart and Trudi Jenkins’ background working for glossy magazines was the perfect training for opening up curated online marketplace HardToFind.
AussieCommerce
AussieCommerce, parent company of DEALS.com.au, has powered up this year’s Smart50 list moving from ninth place to sixth place as a result of the online juggernaut’s exponential growth.
Cohen Handler
“Fear” and “fear of fear” is what keeps the co-founder of Cohen Handler up at nights. “The uncertainty of challenges keeps the adrenalin running 24/7,” co-founder Ben Handler says.
Locomote
“Two young guys from the western suburbs”, David and Ross Fastuca, set up their first business together while they were still in high school.
Showpo
Spending a lot of time on Facebook often means procrastination but for ShowPo founder Jane Lu, it’s how she’s turbo charged her online fashion business.
Pet Circle
Pet Circle caused a few raised eyebrows in the industry when it started in 2011. Founder Mike Frizell says there was a belief in the pet industry that e-commerce wouldn’t work as the items are bulky and the margins are low.