Mike Cannon-Brookes

Co-founder and co-CEO, Atlassian Software Systems

Mike Cannon-Brookes

Co-founder and co-CEO, Atlassian Software Systems

SHOULD software maker Atlassian do what many people expect it to do this year and list on the US Nasdaq index it will be yet another milestone in the phenomenal rise of this Sydney-born company.

With annual sales of more than $100m and backing from A-grade US venture capitalist Accel Partners, it has been a rocket ride for Atlassian's 30-something founders Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar since founding the company in an apartment just over 10 years ago.

Cannon-Brookes remains chief executive of the company but has also been active in the Australian start-up community, as a partner and investor in Blackbird Ventures and the Startmate accelerator, and an investor in the companies Shoes of Prey, Ninja Blocks and Tyro.

Over the years he has picked up a string of accolades, including Ernst & Young's Australian Entrepreneur of the Year, Consensus' Australian IT Professional of the Year and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum.
Co-founder and co-CEO, Atlassian Software Systems