Simon Hackett is arguably one of the most successful founders in the technology industry. The Australian entrepreneur, who is widely known for his successful tech startup incubator and venture capital firm, has helped turn tech companies into industry leaders in their respective sectors. With a long list of successful investments and impressive exits, Hackett has had a hand in inspiring countless entrepreneurs and serving as a mentor to countless others.
Hackett's entrepreneurial journey began when he founded an internet service provider (ISP) called Internode in 1991. Internode quickly grew to become one of Australia's largest ISPs, offering a broad range of services, including dial-up and broadband internet access and value-added services such as web-hosting and virtual private networks (VPNs) for businesses. After 20 years of running Internode, Hackett decided to move on to bigger and better things by selling the company to iiNet, Australia's second-largest broadband provider, for a reported $105 million in 2012.
After exiting Internode, Hackett shifted his focus to venture capital and technology incubation, founding Red Bubble Ventures and serving as its managing director since 2013. The firm invests in early-stage startups and provides a wide range of services such as business development, financial advisory, and marketing resources to help turn the idea into successful companies. Some of the notable investments of Red Bubble Ventures include safety technology for the contactless payment industry (Virtu) and an AI-driven platform for healthcare technology (Adylog).
Not content to limit himself to just venture capital and incubation, Hackett has also been actively involved in some of the newest technology trends, such as robotics and blockchain. In 2017, he founded the Robotics Innovation Fund, a $40 million venture fund to finance the development of innovative robotics technology and make venture investments in robots. He has also invested in several companies in the blockchain sector, such as blockchain infrastructure company ANX, blockchain supply chain management firm VeChain, and blockchain payments facilitator Wyre.
Clearly, Hackett is an ambitious entrepreneur and investor who is always on the lookout for innovative technology and investing opportunities. What sets him apart from other prominent investors and venture capitalists, however, is his commitment to mentoring and helping others reach their potential. Alongside his business roles, Hackett is also the Chairman of Innovation and Science Australia, a platform dedicated to advising the government on the development and commercialization of technology, and he has frequently spoken at events and mentored entrepreneurs.
The success of Simon Hackett shows that with careful planning and consistent hard work, dreams can be turned into realities. As a tech entrepreneur, investor, and mentor, Hackett has inspired countless individuals and propelled the development of innovative technology, and his plans for the future will undoubtedly continue to make waves in the tech world.
