Marc Washbourne

Co-founder and CEO, ReadyTech

National Finalist in EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Australia

For ReadyTech, it all started in 1999 when co-founder Marc Washbourne, armed with just a backpack and a working holiday visa, sat and wrote the code that kicked off an incredible journey.

Today, that journey has reached a point where the company has over 500 employees (also known as ‘ReadyTechers’), a diverse global customer base and more than $100 million in revenue.

ReadyTech, which was listed on the ASX (Australian Securities Exchange) in 2019, is a vertical SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) powerhouse that serves the education, employment services, local government, justice and workforce sectors. Customers use ReadyTech’s technology to not only drive digital transformation, leading to improved efficiency, automation, business intelligence and an enhanced customer experience, but to also support critical sectors to thrive – from job seekers and apprentices, through to citizens and employees. Key products include a Student Management System for TAFE and higher education, and a Community Management System for local government.

Meaningful work, fairness and diversity are all important to Marc, and ReadyTech provides alternate pathways and employment opportunities for people from all walks of life. Since 2021, Marc has also served on the board of the Future Skills Organisation, championing the development and provision of digital skills in Australia.

Marc believes that entrepreneurship is about exploring the art of the possible and developing the tenacity to relentlessly pursue growth and evolution, whatever the obstacles. It also means recognising opportunities and taking calculated risks.

Outside of work, Marc keeps himself busy with his two children. He’s also completed the 100km Trailwalker event five times and helped raise over $100,000 for Oxfam. In 2023, he also led an expedition to Mount Everest Base Camp to raise funds for Pankind, the pancreatic cancer foundation.

The next milestone in view is ReadyTech reaching its $1 billion unicorn potential.

And what sees Marc through the whirl of it all? Staying aligned with the values and attitudes of his backpacking days.