Mike Cannon-Brookes

Mike Cannon-Brookes is an Australian billionaire technology entrepreneur, investor, and prominent climate activist, best known as the co-founder and co-CEO of the software company Atlassian. With his business partner Scott Farquhar, he built Atlassian from a startup in Sydney into a global leader in collaboration software, listed on the NASDAQ and a component of the NASDAQ-100. His subsequent focus has shifted significantly towards large-scale investments in renewable energy and aggressive advocacy for Australia's transition to a zero-emissions economy, making him a central figure in the nation's climate and technology policy debates.

Early life and education

Born and raised in Sydney, he attended Cranbrook School before pursuing higher education. He enrolled at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where he studied commerce and met his future business partner, Scott Farquhar. During his time at UNSW, he was actively involved in the cooperative education program, which combined academic study with practical work experience. This period was formative, providing him with foundational skills in business administration and software development that would later prove crucial.

Career and Atlassian

In 2002, after graduating, he and Scott Farquhar founded Atlassian with a $10,000 credit card debt, operating initially from a garage in Sydney. The company pioneered a novel business model focused on selling enterprise software like Jira and Confluence directly to developers and teams without a traditional sales force. This strategy fueled rapid global growth, leading to a landmark initial public offering on the NASDAQ in 2015. Under his co-leadership, Atlassian expanded its product suite through strategic acquisitions, including Trello and Opsgenie, and grew into a multinational corporation with headquarters in Sydney and San Francisco.

Investments and philanthropy

Through his investment vehicle, Grokk Ventures, he has made significant forays into venture capital, private equity, and impact investing. Notable investments include the Australian fintech platform Stake, the quantum computing company PsiQuantum, and substantial stakes in renewable energy projects. His philanthropic efforts are channeled through the Cannon-Brookes Family philanthropic office, with major donations to institutions like the University of New South Wales and the Australian Museum. He is also a signatory of The Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of his wealth.

Climate activism and advocacy

He has become one of Australia's most vocal and influential advocates for climate action. In 2017, his famous social media challenge to Elon Musk resulted in Tesla building the world's largest battery in South Australia. He later co-founded the Grok Ventures-backed Sun Cable project, an ambitious plan to supply Singapore with solar power from the Australian outback. He has been highly critical of the Australian government's climate policies, engaging in public disputes with figures like former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and lobbying major financial institutions such as AGL Energy to accelerate their decarbonization plans.

Personal life

He is married to Annie Todd, a former investment banker, and they have four children. The family resides in a historic estate in Sydney's Point Piper. An avid fan of science fiction, he named his investment firm after a term in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He is also known for his activity on the social media platform Twitter, where he frequently discusses technology, climate policy, and Australian rules football, supporting the Sydney Swans.

Category:Australian billionaires Category:Australian technology company founders Category:Australian climate activists