Foundr Magazine with millions of followers moves into South Yarra
A wildly successful Melbourne-made start-up digital magazine which helps aspiring entrepreneurs take their ideas to the next level and has featured the likes of Richard Branson and Arianna Huffington has set up in South Yarra.
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A digital company which already has a huge online presence has made the investment to move its base to South Yarra in an attempt to grow even further.
Foundr Magazine, a global start-up and entrepreneurial publication was first published by Nathan Chan in March 2013.
Covering the world of start-ups and entrepreneurs and what it takes for young, aspiring business people to take their ideas to the next level, it also features in-depth interviews and analyses of successful business people around the world.
Originally titled Keys to Success — changing it after being sued by a US magazine — Mr Chan said he started it as “a passion hobby”.
“I saw an opportunity in the marketplace where there wasn’t a publication focused on what was needed to build a business,” he said.
“The first day we launched we made $5.50, then it made its way onto the App Store and the Google Store and it took off from there.”
He said millions of people consumed its content across the monthly magazine, podcasts and videos, while 2.3 million follow the empire on Instagram.
Foundr also runs an online training program, which has helped protect it from the coronavirus shutdown.
Entrepreneurs featured across its platforms have included Richard Branson, Arianna Huffington, Jack Dorsey and Mark Cuban.
Mr Chan said he was excited and scared by the challenges of a new office, but believes a home base works well for the company.
“We’re at a stage now where we can’t grow unless we grow our team, the reflection of our growth thus far is a reflection of our company’s team and its efforts,” he said.
“We could work fully remotely easily, but I think having your own base is … really good for culture as well as collaboration and creativity … we have a very entrepreneurial culture.”
With most of its audience in the US, as well as Australia, the UK and Canada, Mr Chan wants to build the core team in Melbourne.
The company leased the 500sq m full-floor office at 60 Wilson St for four years at $145,000 a year plus outgoings and GST, with another four-year option.
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Fitzroys agents Samuel Friend and Steven Land said more than 50 groups had expressed interest in the site, including a dance studio, F45 fitness centre, law firm and Remedy Drinks, which makes kombucha, among others.
“Quality tenants are continually being drawn to South Yarra’s office market as a new wave of commercial and residential supply, and growing lifestyle and hospitality options in the immediate surrounds revitalise the city fringe suburb,” Mr Friend said.