Kath Purkis - Australian entrepreneur and investor based in Sydney

Kath’s entrepreneurial journey started at 21 years old

Kath Purkis is one of Australia’s most experienced entrepreneurs and investors. She founded her first business in 2007 at just 21 years old — long before startup culture entered the mainstream — and has spent every year since building, scaling, and investing in businesses across e-commerce, fintech, software, B2B, and consumer brands.

Purkis founded her first business in 2007, focusing on luxury e-commerce. She went on to build and scale subscription e-commerce, B2B, and direct-to-consumer businesses, developing deep expertise in China manufacturing, scalable e-commerce solutions, customised software, and global brand building.

She has invested in each of her own businesses as well as a portfolio of over 50 companies across Australia and internationally — including Zoom, Cloudflare, and other technology businesses on the day they listed publicly.

Purkis has been featured in publications including the Sydney Morning Herald, Vogue Australia, Glamour UK, Grazia, Dynamic Business, NETT, Cosmopolitan, Power Retail, Sydney Magazine, ELLE, Time Out Sydney, The Australian, Cleo Magazine, and Startup Daily.

Kath currently serves on the board of several Australian startups and established businesses, helping guide them on growth, scale-up, and exit strategy. She is an All Star Mentor for the Australian Government-backed Techstars incubator program and a judge for the annual Australian Web Awards.

Kath is an accredited Dogs Australia SprintDogTM judge. Officiating at a SprintDogTM Trial lets her give back to a sport built on canine fitness, enthusiasm, and the bond between dog and handler. Kath takes pride in keeping every trial fair, positive, and fun for the dogs and owners. Kath has 3 Australian Champion Pedigree Spaniels Harper, Summer & her USA import, Archer.

Kath is actively investing in new businesses.

Milestones

  • Founded first business at 21 years old, in 2007.

  • Built & scaled multiple e-Commerce & B2B businesses

  • Big fails & many learnings

  • Built a bootstrapped business to $1M AUD revenue Per Month in 12 months

  • Invested in 50+ companies across Australia and internationally

  • Invested in Zoom, Cloudflare, and other technology businesses on their listing day

  • Active board member across multiple Australian startups and established businesses

  • All Star Mentor — Australian Government backed Techstars incubator program

  • Judge — Australian Web Awards

  • Featured in Vogue Australia, SMH, Cosmopolitan, ELLE UK, Inc, The Australian, Startup Daily, and more

  • Dog Mum to 3 x Australian Champion Field Spaniels

Collective Hub
Microsoft Guest Speaking Kath Purkis
Dynamic Business Kath Purkis
Nett Magazine Kath Purkis
Cosmopolitan Magazine Kath Purkis
Dynamic Business Kath Purkis

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Kath Purkis is an Australian entrepreneur and investor based in Sydney. She has been founding, scaling, and investing in businesses since 2007, across e-commerce, fintech, software, B2B services, and consumer brands. She is widely recognised as one of Australia’s most active and experienced early-stage investors.

  • Kath invests in early-stage and growth-stage businesses across a range of sectors including e-commerce, fintech, software, B2B services, agriculture, and consumer brands. She takes an active approach to investing, often joining boards and providing strategic guidance in addition to capital.

  • Kath has invested in over 50 companies across Australia and internationally. Her portfolio includes businesses in technology, e-commerce, fintech, B2B services, and consumer products. She also invested in Zoom and Cloudflare on the day they listed publicly.

  • Kath is based in Sydney, Australia, and focuses primarily on Australian businesses, though her investment portfolio extends internationally.

  • Yes.

    Kath has featured in business book #ifshecanican by Angela Gosnell.

    Kath has been featured in Vogue Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald, ELLE, The Australian, Cosmopolitan, Grazia, NETT, Power Retail, Startup Daily, Cleo Magazine, Glamour UK, Dynamic Business, Sydney Magazine, and Time Out Sydney, Shark Tank on Channel 10 & more.

    Kath has featured in interviews & media appearances on TV on SBS, ABC, Channel 7 & Channel 10. She speaks passionately about entrepreneurship, business, dog sports & the power of community.

  • Kath founded her first business in 2007, at 21 years old, focusing on luxury e-commerce.

    That was long before startup culture entered the mainstream.

  • Kath has built and scaled subscription e-commerce, B2B and direct-to-consumer businesses. She has also built an advisory business.

    Along the way she developed deep expertise in China manufacturing, scalable e-commerce, customised software, global brand building, growth capital and funding.

  • Yes. Kath serves on the boards of several Australian startups and established businesses, guiding them on growth, scale-up and exit strategy. She also sits on the board of an Australian Not-For-Profit.

  • Yes. Kath is an All Star Mentor for the Australian Government-backed Techstars incubator program. She is also a judge for the annual Australian Web Awards. She has been involved with many Start-up programs over the past 20 years, mentoring young entrepreneurs.

  • Yes. Kath is actively investing in new businesses across e-commerce, fintech, software, B2B and consumer brands.

  • Kath is an accredited Dogs Australia SprintDog™ Judge. She owns three Australian Champion Pedigree Spaniels: Harper, Summer and her USA import, Archer.

    All Kath’s dogs are Australian Champions in Conformation, and Summer is a Dual Champion in both Conformation & SprintDogTM. She also competes in Lure Coursing.