Scott Farquhar: The Software Mogul With a Heart
Australian technology entrepreneur and co-founder of the software development company Atlassian, Scott Farquhar, donates $7.75 million to the fight against climate change.
Gaze into the life and success story of Scott Farquhar, the brainchild behind Atlassian, a top-tier collaboration software company nestled in Sydney, Australia. Co-founded with Mike Cannon-Brookes, the pair sprung this tech giant from the fertile grounds of college, fuelling it with their credit cards. High-profile clients such as wholesale retailer Costco and American airline Delta adorn their clientele list. Atlassian stands proud as a co-founder of Pledge 1%, a philanthropic drive that urges businesses to commit at least 1% of their equity, employee time, or products to benevolent causes.
The Man Behind the Vision
Age: 44Wealth Base: Software, Self-MadeResidence: Sydney, AustraliaNationality: AustralianMarital Status: MarriedChildren: 2Education: Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of New South Wales
In His Words:
"We were always cash flow positive from the very early days, but that's largely because we were still eating ramen noodles."
Others Worth Reading About:
- Mike Cannon-Brookes
- Harry Triguboff
- Andrew Forrest & family
Scott Farquhar: A Decade of Triumphs
A Brief Timeline of Success
Scott Farquhar, a co-CEO of Atlassian, orchestrated the growth of the company from its early days in 2002, when Farquhar and Cannon-Brookes secured a $10,000 credit card advance to fund their venture during their college years at the University of New South Wales[2][5]. Their determination and entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for Atlassian to become the first Australian tech unicorn.
Farquhar held the reins of the company until his stepping down in September 2024, a decision influenced by his desire to invest more time with his family and further philanthropic endeavors[3]. As of 2025, Scott Farquhar's staggering net worth is approximately $21.42 billion, primarily rooted in his Atlassian shares[3].
Spreading the Wealth: Philanthropy and More
Scott Farquhar and his wife, Kim Jackson, established the Skip Foundation, and were instrumental in establishing Pledge 1%, an initiative aimed at inculcating altruism into the foundations of businesses[4]. This movement champions causes like equality of opportunity in education and women's rights, regardless of socio-economic status or cultural background[4].
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In recent years, Farquhar has dabbled in real estate, including the sale of his Point Piper waterfront mansion for approximately $130 million in October 2024[3]. His diverse portfolio extends to investments in startups, tech ventures, and real estate, a testament to both his business acumen and philanthropic aspirations. Despite relinquishing his role at Atlassian, Farquhar continues to advocate for philanthropic values within the tech industry through Pledge 1%[4].
[1] https://www.atlassian.com/company/about[2] https://www.au.finance.yahoo.com/news/atlassian-co-founder-scott-farquhar-quits-213024140.html[3] https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/scott-farquhar-auqs-richest-man-for-fifth-year-in-a-row-20240907-p5bnm6.html[4] https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/scott-farquhar-takes-step-back-from-atlassian-to-focus-on-skip-foundation-20240906-p5bnkd.html[5] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-23/how-two-friends-turned-australian-startup-atlassian-into-a-unicorn/12900354
- Scott Farquhar, with a background in both Arts and Science from the University of New South Wales, combined his education with his entrepreneurial zeal to co-found Atlassian, a tech startup initially funded through credit card advances during their college years.
- The success of Atlassian, a science and technology-driven company, has allowed him to delve into various other ventures such as real estate and startup investments, growing his net worth to approximately $21.42 billion, primarily derived from his shares in Atlassian.
- Committed to giving back, Farquhar and his wife established the Skip Foundation and were instrumental in founding Pledge 1%, a philanthropic initiative that encourages businesses to commit at least 1% of their equity, employee time, or products to charitable causes, with focus areas including education and women's rights.
