LinkedIn Top Startups 2023: The 20 Australian companies on the rise

The past year has been challenging for companies across sectors, marked by continued inflation, widespread layoffs at well-known firms, tightened capital and significant drops in venture capital funding. Investment in Australian startups over the first six months of this year fell to US$1.11 billion, compared with US$3.64 billion over the same period in 2022, according to KPMG.

However, times of uncertainty can push companies to adapt and innovate — and lead to new opportunities for emerging industries. Climate tech and artificial intelligence startups are defying the capital slump, while local health and biotech startups have seen some of the biggest raises in 2023.

Our 7th annual LinkedIn Top Startups list is a testament to that spirit of innovation, featuring 20 young Australian companies that are growing fast and gaining attention. These are the startups that have trailblazed their way through recent economic and workplace challenges — and managed to stand out to investors and top talent along the way.

This list is ultimately meant to be a resource for you. At each company, you’ll find actionable insights on the roles, skills and functions in demand. See a startup that sparks your interest? Connect with employees you may know at each company, or turn on job alerts to stay on top of future opportunities.?

Here are this year’s 20 Top Startups in Australia — join the conversation using #LinkedInTopStartups.

Full-time headcount: 280 | Headquarters: Sydney | Year founded: 2018 | Most common skills: Development Tools, Web Development, Leadership | Most common job titles: Software Engineer, Product Manager, Engineering Manager | Largest job functions: Engineering, Arts and Design, Human Resources | What they do: Immutable is a crypto-based web game development and publishing business. It provides a decentralised and secure marketplace for trading in-game items and assets such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

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Full-time headcount: 75 | Headquarters: Sydney | Year founded: 2018 | Most common skills: Development Tools, Data Science, Business Management | Most common job titles: Artificial Intelligence Specialist, Software Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer | Largest job functions: Engineering, Business Development, Administrative | What they do: Harrison.ai is a clinician-led healthcare company that uses artificial intelligence to help healthcare professionals diagnose diseases, design treatments and analyse medical images.

Create a job alert for Harrison.ai | See people you may know at Harrison.ai

Full-time headcount: 80 | Headquarters: Sydney | Year founded: 2019 | Most common skills: Leadership, Digital Literacy, Communication | Most common job titles: Software Engineer, Business Operations Associate, Research Associate | Largest job functions: Operations, Engineering, Research | What they do: Vow is a food biotech company that uses animal cells to grow meat-like products in laboratories and factories, rather than farms and abattoirs.

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Full-time headcount: 120 | Headquarters: Sydney | Year founded: 2019 | Most common skills: Leadership, Business Management, Digital Literacy | Most common job titles: Business Development Manager, Transportation Manager, Product Manager | Largest job functions: Operations, Sales, Business Development | What they do: Ofload is a freight logistics company that aims to digitise Australian trucking fleets into a more sustainable and centralised supply chain. It connects companies looking to deliver products with shippers and carriers.

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Full-time headcount: 315 | Headquarters: Melbourne | Year founded: 2019 | Most common skills: Leadership, Business Management, Web Development | Most common job titles: Software Engineer, Patient Care Coordinator, Medical Affairs | Largest job functions: Healthcare Services, Engineering, Operations | What they do: Montu is an Australian medical cannabis company that connects Australians to?qualified doctors through its telehealth platform.

See jobs at Montu | See people you may know at Montu

Full-time headcount: 160 | Headquarters: Sydney | Year founded: 2018 | Most common skills: Business Management, Leadership, Digital Marketing | Most common job titles: Veterinary Nurse, Customer Service Representative, Product Manager | Largest job functions: Marketing, Operations, Engineering | What they do: Lyka is a pet food startup that develops personalised diets for dogs based on their breed, weight and size, and dietary requirements.?

See jobs at Lyka | See people you may know at Lyka

Full-time headcount: 220 | Headquarters: Melbourne | Year founded: 2020 | Most common skills: Web Development, Development Tools, Leadership | Most common job titles: Software Engineer, Account Executive, Frontend Developer | Largest job functions: Engineering, Sales, Marketing | What they do: Zeller is a payment and financial services startup for small to medium-sized businesses that helps owners accept and make payments and manage their finances.

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Full-time headcount: 210 | Headquarters: Melbourne | Year founded: 2018 | Most common skills: Project Management, Construction Engineering, Business Management | Most common job titles: Project Manager, Construction Manager | Largest job functions: Program and Project Management, Operations, Customer Success and Support | What they do: Kapitol Group is a construction company that builds commercial and residential buildings, educational institutions and data centres to support critical IT infrastructure needed by enterprise and government.

See jobs at Kapitol Group | See people you may know at Kapitol Group

Full-time headcount: 100 | Headquarters: Darwin | Year founded: 2020 | Most common skills: Development Tools, Web Development, Data Science | Most common job titles: Software Engineer, Content Producer, Data Scientist | Largest job functions: Engineering, Marketing, Business Development | What they do: Dabble is an online sports and racing bookmaker where users can share their experiences and tips with other members through an app.

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Full-time headcount: 125 | Headquarters: Sydney | Year founded: 2021 | Most common skills: Advertising, Digital Marketing, Graphic Design | Most common job titles: Creative Director, Copywriter, Vice President Design, User Experience Designer | Largest job functions: Arts and Design, Business Development, Media and Communication | What they do: Howatson+Company is a full-service advertising company that has recorded rapid growth since it was founded in 2021 and is now considered a mid-sized firm. The agency's clients include Allianz, Belong and Maurice Blackburn.

See jobs at Howatson+Company | See people you may know at Howatson+Company

Full-time headcount: 130 | Headquarters: Sydney | Year founded: 2018 | Most common skills: Business Management, Leadership, Digital Literacy | Most common job titles: Account Manager, Customer Service Specialist, Customer Experience Manager | Largest job functions: Customer Success and Support, Business Development, Sales | What they do: me&u is an online ordering and payment system that shot to prominence in Australia during the Covid-19 pandemic. It enables restaurant customers to order and pay for food through a contactless QR code system.?At the time of publish, a merger with QR code platform Mr Yum was subject to shareholder approval.

Create a job alert for me&u | See people you may know at me&u

Full-time headcount: 240 | Headquarters: Melbourne | Year founded: 2021 | Most common skills: Web Development, Development Tools, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) | Most common job titles: Product Team Manager, Software Engineer, Product Design Consultant | Largest job functions: Engineering, Product Management, Information Technology | What they do: Amused Group is an online wagering, gaming and technology company that owns six betting brands that operate in Australia and globally, including BetDeluxe, Bet Nation and Surge.

Create a job alert for Amused Group | See people you may know at Amused Group

Full-time headcount: 60 | Headquarters: Sydney | Year founded: 2019 | Most common skills: Teamwork, Communication, Leadership | Most common job titles: Office Associate, Support Associate, State Manager | Largest job functions: Customer Success and Support, Operations, Information Technology | What they do: What Ability is an approved National Disability Insurance Scheme provider that connects people living with a disability with support workers, some of whom are professional and semi-professional athletes.

See jobs at What Ability | See people you may know at What Ability

Full-time headcount: 95 | Headquarters: Sydney | Year founded: 2019 | Most common skills: Digital Marketing, Advertising, Business Management | Most common job titles: Creative Director, Project Manager, Director of Account Management, | Largest job functions: Sales, Marketing, Arts and Design | What they do: Akcelo is an advertising agency that works with Australian and international brands across entertainment, technology, sports, lifestyle, and fast-moving consumer goods. It also has a venture arm specialising in pre-seed to Series A and B investments.

See jobs at Akcelo | See people you may know at Akcelo

Full-time headcount: 130 | Headquarters: Sydney | Year founded: 2021 | Most common skills: Leadership, Business Management, Digital Literacy | Most common job titles: Software Engineer, Customer Support Specialist | Largest job functions: Sales, Customer Success and Support, Human Resources | What they do: Carma is a digital used car dealership that helps customers buy pre-owned vehicles at fixed prices. It uses 360 degree technology so buyers can inspect cars online and also provides financing.

See jobs at Carma | See people you may know at Carma

Full-time headcount: 80 | Headquarters: Melbourne | Year founded: 2019 | Most common skills: Commercial Banking, Capital Markets, Business Management | Most common job titles: Banking Analyst, Business Development Manager, Business Development Officer | Largest job functions: Finance, Business Development, Operations | What they do: ORDE Financial is an Australian non-bank mortgage lender that specialises in residential, commercial and self-managed super fund loans. It exclusively works with mortgage brokers for a straightforward loan approval process.

Create a job alert for ORDE Financial | See people you may know at ORDE Financial

Full-time headcount: 170 | Headquarters: Melbourne | Year founded: 2018 | Most common skills: Event Planning, Business Management, Leadership | Most common job titles: Customer Service Attendant, Customer Service Representative | Largest job functions: Operations, Customer Success and Support, Marketing | What they do: Fortress is a gaming and entertainment startup that operates esport venues in Sydney and Melbourne for players and spectators. These are also licensed hospitality venues which contain a fantasy-style medieval tavern.

Create a job alert for Fortress | See people you may know at Fortress

Full-time headcount: 75 | Headquarters: Sydney | Year founded: 2019 | Most common skills: Data Science, Business Management, Data Storage Technologies | Most common job titles: Software Engineer, Plan Manager, Community Outreach Manager | Largest job functions: Engineering, Marketing, Information Technology | What they do: T-shirt Ventures is a health tech company that developed and operates two digital platforms — Provider Choice and HeyHubble — that help connect participants on the National Disability Insurance Scheme to quality providers and manage plans.

See jobs at T-shirt Ventures | See people you may know at T-shirt Ventures

Full-time headcount: 75 | Headquarters: Brisbane | Year founded: 2018 | Most common skills: Development Tools, Data Science, Digital Literacy | Most common job titles: Software Engineer, Mechatronics Engineer | Largest job functions: Engineering, Operations, Product Management | What they do: Plotlogic is a mining tech company that uses advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to search for minerals, in a bid to make the sector more sustainable and efficient. It is backed by US billionaire investor and philanthropist Tom Steyer, and mining giant BHP.

See jobs at Plotlogic | See people you may know at Plotlogic

Full-time headcount: 85 | Headquarters: Sydney | Year founded: 2021 | Most common skills: Web Development, Leadership, Development Tools | Most common job titles: Software Engineer, Customer Support Specialist, Product Manager | Largest job functions: Engineering, Customer Success and Support, Product Management | What they do: Honey Insurance is a home insurance company that gives customers free sensors to install in their houses to monitor for water leaks, fire and theft, in exchange for cheaper premiums.?

See jobs at Honey Insurance | See people you may know at Honey Insurance

You can also check out the Top Startups in Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands (Dutch & English), Singapore, Saudi Arabia (English & Arabic), Spain, Sweden (Swedish & English), Türkiye, the UAE (English & Arabic), the UK and the U.S.

Methodology and Insights by: LinkedIn Economic Graph team. To compile the list, we looked at LinkedIn data across four pillars: employee growth; jobseeker interest; member engagement within the company and its employees; and how well these startups pulled talent from our flagship LinkedIn Top Companies list. This year, we also adjusted our eligibility requirements, lowering the age criteria to five years or younger in order to feature more companies in their earlier, venture stages of growth.

LinkedIn measures startups based on four pillars: employment growth, engagement, job interest and attraction of top talent. Employment growth is measured as percentage headcount increase over methodology time frame, which must be a minimum of 10%. Engagement looks at non-employee views and follows of the company’s LinkedIn page, as well as how many non-employees are viewing employees at that startup. Job interest counts rate at which people are viewing and applying to jobs at the company, including both paid and unpaid postings. Attraction of top talent measures how many employees the startup has recruited away from any global LinkedIn Top Company, as a percentage of the startup’s total workforce. Data is normalised across all eligible startups. The methodology time frame is July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.?

To be eligible, companies must be fully independent, privately held, have 50 or more full-time employees, be 5 years old or younger and be headquartered in the country on whose list they appear. We exclude all staffing firms, think tanks, venture capital firms, law firms, management and IT consulting firms, nonprofits and philanthropy, accelerators and government-owned entities. Startups who have laid off 15% or more of their workforce based on corporate announcements or public, reliable sources between July 1, 2022 and the list launch, are not eligible. These decisions are made by the LinkedIn News team based on company statements and/or reputable news outlets.

About company insights

*Company insights were sourced from LinkedIn Talent Insights. Data reflects aggregated public member data from active LinkedIn profiles in the relevant country and includes full-time employee profiles associated with the company on LinkedIn. We exclude members who identify as part-time or contractors. Headcounts are provided by the companies directly, unless otherwise noted with an asterisk. Those headcounts are based on LinkedIn data. All insights reflect a 12-month time period looking back from July 2023. Skills data was derived from measuring the most frequent skills among a company’s employees. Most common job titles represent the occupations that are most common within each company. Largest job function measures the function area most prevalent within each company.?

Reported by: Marty McCarthy

Senior Managing Editor: Capucine Yeomans

Special Projects Leads: Natalie MacDonald (APAC), Michele Pierri (International), Juliette Faraut

Regional Lead: Pooja Chhabria

International Executive Editor: Sandrine Chauvin

Honouree companies: 1. Immutable | 2. Harrison.ai | 3. Vow | 4. Ofload | 5. Montu | 6. Lyka | 7. Zeller | 8. Kapitol Group | 9. Dabble | 10. Howatson+Company 11. me&u | 12. Amused Group | 13. What Ability | 14. Akcelo | 15. Carma | 16. ORDE Financial | 17. Fortress | 18. T-shirt Ventures | 19. Plotlogic | 20. Honey Insurance?