Early Life and Education

Matt Bullock’s journey into the world of technology and entrepreneurship began in Canberra at the young age of 16. Fascinated by coding, Bullock started developing software while still in school. He sold his code to friends, who then sold it further, sparking the early stages of his entrepreneurial career. His passion for innovation and solving business problems would soon evolve into something much larger.

After a brief stint in government, where he worked as a consultant, Bullock saved $50,000 and decided to pursue his dreams. He left his job and invested his savings into building a startup that would become one of Australia’s most successful fintech companies—eWAY.

Founding eWAY and Its Explosive Growth

In 1998, long before e-commerce was a mainstream activity, Matt Bullock founded eWAY, an online payment gateway aimed at simplifying online transactions for businesses. His vision was clear: to enable businesses to efficiently process payments online in a secure and seamless manner. eWAY quickly gained traction, attracting a wide range of clients, from small businesses selling bicycle parts to large enterprises like Canon, Qantas, Puma, and Nissan.

Under Bullock’s leadership, eWAY grew rapidly. The company now processes one in every four dollars spent online in Australia, handling billions of dollars in payments annually for tens of thousands of businesses across the globe. eWAY became known for its reliability, and remarkably, it has never experienced a system failure—something Bullock takes great pride in.

Leadership and Management Style

Matt Bullock’s approach to leadership is hands-on and deeply engaged. As CEO, he built a culture of innovation and problem-solving within the company. eWAY has never taken venture capital, a rare feat in the fintech world, and Bullock maintains full ownership of the company. His focus on maintaining control allowed eWAY to remain agile, outpacing traditional financial institutions in speed and efficiency.

With offices in Canberra, Auckland, Edinburgh, and Toronto, and a staff of over 80 people, Bullock’s leadership is both visionary and pragmatic. He fosters a culture of teamwork, with all employees involved in resolving issues, ensuring the company operates smoothly and efficiently. Bullock also attributes much of his success to his business coach, who has been a guiding force throughout his journey.

Innovations in Technology and Business Processes

Bullock is a firm believer in the power of automation and data-driven decision-making. After experimenting with various programs, eWAY adopted Salesforce as its core platform, using it to provide comprehensive customer service and track all business activity. Bullock’s focus on automation extends to internal processes, where he implemented leaderboards to gamify business activity, boosting employee engagement and productivity.

Matt’s commitment to innovation doesn’t stop at eWAY’s payment services. The company also has a capital arm, lending money to merchants to build their e-commerce platforms, ensuring they have the resources needed to grow.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

Bullock’s entrepreneurial journey is defined by his relentless drive to succeed. He believes that partnerships are essential to building a business, and that success comes not only from a great idea but from hard work and dedication. His motto, “Never, never give up,” is a mantra that motivates both him and his team, encouraging perseverance in the face of challenges.

Through his leadership, eWAY has managed to remain at the forefront of the fintech industry, forging partnerships with major players like Visa, MasterCard, Amex, and PayPal, and connecting to 27 banks globally.

Challenges and Successes

Despite his successes, Bullock remains humble about the challenges he has faced. He often cites eWAY’s growth as one of the most surprising and rewarding aspects of his journey. From a small startup to a global payments powerhouse, the company’s growth has exceeded his wildest expectations. Today, over 24,000 businesses use eWAY’s services, and Bullock continues to drive the company forward, always looking for new opportunities and ways to innovate.

Work-Life Balance and Personal Insights

Running a global company requires Bullock to stay connected around the clock. With eWAY’s offices spread across different time zones, he often works late into the night to communicate with staff. Despite his demanding schedule, Bullock makes a point of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He enjoys cooking, spending time with his family, and going on weekend getaways.

Bullock also uses technology to stay organized and fit. He relies on apps like Salesforce, Google Apps, and Netsuite for business, while his Fitbit helps him track his daily activity.

Giving Back and the Future of eWAY

Bullock is passionate about giving back to the startup community and supporting local causes through the Spinify Foundation, an organization he created to assist startups and contribute to charitable causes. He remains deeply committed to helping other businesses solve problems and grow their online presence.

Looking forward, Bullock envisions even greater growth for eWAY as more Australian businesses embrace e-commerce. His focus on innovation, automation, and customer service has positioned eWAY as a leader in the fintech space, and his ability to adapt to a rapidly changing digital landscape ensures that the company will continue to thrive.

Conclusion

Matt Bullock’s journey from a young coder in Canberra to the CEO of one of Australia’s largest online payment gateways is a testament to his vision, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit. With eWAY, he has revolutionized the online payments industry, and his relentless focus on innovation and automation continues to drive the company’s success. As a leader, Bullock remains committed to empowering businesses worldwide to achieve their full potential, while also giving back to the community that helped him succeed.