Growth | SmartCompany

Pay.com.au postpones IPO plans as Iran war spooks investors

David Adams — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:55:05 +0000

Despite the IPO pause, Pay.com.au conducted a $20 million private placement, which a spokesperson said valued the business at $750 million.

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Surfing legend Layne Beachley to take the stage at Sydney Growth Summit

Eloise Keating — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:05:25 +0000

World surfing champion and Awake Academy co-founder Layne Beachley has joined the lineup for the next Growth Summit in Sydney.

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From ambition to strategy: How the founders of Love Tea and Bread Beauty Supply are building legacy brands

Simon Jones — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Creating a beloved brand requires more than just ambition, these strategically minded founders share with SmartCompany.

The post From ambition to strategy: How the founders of Love Tea and Bread Beauty Supply are building legacy brands appeared first on SmartCompany.

Five things holding small businesses back, according to leaders in the trenches

Simon Jones — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 22:46:56 +0000

At SmartCompany and Startup Daily's Growth Summit, headline partner Xero hosted an executive roundtable bringing together founders, investors, policymakers and advisors for a frank conversation about what it really takes to grow a business here in Australia – and what’s getting in the way.

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RedBalloon founder Naomi Simson to headline Growth Summit in Sydney

SmartCompany — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 04:27:57 +0000

Presented by SmartCompany and Startup Daily, Growth Summit is Australia’s premier event for ambitious startup and SME founders and leaders.

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Smart50 to the ASX: Business points platform Pay.com.au eyes IPO

David Adams — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:02:55 +0000

Pay.com.au is reportedly gearing up for an ASX listing, shrugging off market jitters with a plan valuing the business at $850 million.

The post Smart50 to the ASX: Business points platform Pay.com.au eyes IPO appeared first on SmartCompany.

Leigh Jasper’s four rules for surviving the AI-pocalypse

David Adams — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:53:18 +0000

The components of a successful startup remain the same, billion-dollar founder and tech investor Leigh Jasper told the Growth Summit.

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What VCs actually mean when they say your startup is “too early”

Tegan Jones — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:51:38 +0000

What does it actually mean when a VC says you're "too early" to invest in? Is it a signal you need to do more, or just a soft rejection?

The post What VCs actually mean when they say your startup is “too early” appeared first on SmartCompany.

Twelve months ago, order-ahead app Hey You hit reset – and business is thriving

SmartCompany — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 01:21:28 +0000

Popular coffee and food ordering app Hey You has switched up its strategy to chase long-term growth instead of “hypergrowth”.

The post Twelve months ago, order-ahead app Hey You hit reset – and business is thriving appeared first on SmartCompany.

Deel’s Daniel Mellor: The hidden cost of ‘good enough’ payroll for fast-growing businesses

Simon Jones — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 22:06:51 +0000

Payroll rarely makes the pitch deck, but it can seriously slow down your business once the team grows beyond everyone sitting in the same room.

The post Deel’s Daniel Mellor: The hidden cost of ‘good enough’ payroll for fast-growing businesses appeared first on SmartCompany.