Mike Cannon-Brookes is a dynamic Australian entrepreneur, software innovator, and clean energy advocate. As the driving force behind Atlassian, he transformed a bootstrapped startup into a global powerhouse for software collaboration. Beyond tech, he’s emerged as one of Australia’s most influential voices on climate action, sustainable investing, and corporate responsibility.

Early Roots & Academic Foundations

Born in the U.S. to a global banking executive, Cannon-Brookes spent his formative years across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the UK before settling in Sydney. His education journey took him through Cranbrook School, followed by a scholarship-backed degree in Information Systems from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

It was at UNSW that he met Scott Farquhar, a friendship that would evolve into one of the most successful tech partnerships in Australian history.

Atlassian: The Birth of a Software Giant

In 2002, fresh out of university and armed only with maxed-out credit cards, Cannon-Brookes and Farquhar co-founded Atlassian. Their aim was modest — to earn the equivalent of a graduate salary without working for someone else. What followed was extraordinary.

Their first breakthrough product, Jira, redefined project tracking and team collaboration. They rejected the traditional sales model, choosing instead to grow through product-led growth and a direct-to-user strategy online. Atlassian became known for scaling globally without ever hiring a large salesforce — a revolutionary model at the time.

Key milestones:

• 2010: Secured $60 million from Accel Partners
• 2015: Listed on the NASDAQ with a $4.37 billion valuation
• 2024: Cannon-Brookes became sole CEO after Farquhar stepped down
• 2025: Owns ~20% of Atlassian, with super-voting shares

Expanding Impact: Climate, Energy, and Green Ventures

Cannon-Brookes isn’t just a tech mogul — he’s reshaping Australia’s climate conversation. In 2016, he launched Grok Ventures, a private investment platform focused on renewable energy, decarbonization, and future-focused startups.

In 2021, he pledged $1.5 billion towards climate projects in line with the 1.5°C warming limit set by the Paris Agreement. In 2022, he co-founded Boundless Earth, a climate action fund accelerating systemic change.

Sun Cable & AGL: Corporate Activism in Action

His most high-profile energy ventures include:

• Sun Cable: A solar megaproject aimed at exporting clean energy from Australia to Southeast Asia. Although the project faced a temporary collapse in 2023, Cannon-Brookes’s Grok Ventures acquired it from administration, keeping the vision alive.
• AGL Energy: As the largest shareholder, he spearheaded a campaign to halt the company’s demerger and demanded a faster transition away from coal — redefining shareholder activism in Australia.

Roles in Academia & Venture Capital

In parallel with his entrepreneurial journey, Cannon-Brookes holds an adjunct professorship at UNSW’s School of Computer Science and Engineering. He is also Chairman of Blackbird Ventures, one of Australia’s top tech VC firms.

Sports & Other Investments

Cannon-Brookes has made his mark in sports ownership:

• Utah Jazz (NBA): Minority stakeholder since 2020
• South Sydney Rabbitohs (NRL): Holds a one-third interest in the ownership group since 2021

Personal Life

In 2010, Mike married American fashion designer Annie Todd, with whom he has four children. The couple, now separated since 2023, previously lived in several iconic Sydney properties, including Fairwater — purchased for over A$100 million, making it the most expensive home sale in Australian history.

His real estate portfolio includes several heritage-listed homes such as Verona and SeaDragon, and he owns a Bombardier Global 7500 private jet.

Recognitions & Accolades

• Ernst & Young Australian Entrepreneur of the Year (2006)
• Time100 Climate Leader (2023)
• Member, World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders

Wealth Rankings (Highlights)

• 2016: A$2.00 billion
• 2020: A$16.93 billion
• 2022 Peak: A$27.80 billion
• 2025 (Post-Separation): A$12.18 billion