Fred Schebesta
Fred Schebesta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1981 (age 43–44) Sydney, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | Macquarie University |
| Occupation |
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| Organization | Finder |
Fred Schebesta (born 1981) is an Australian entrepreneur, fintech innovator, author, and digital influencer.[1] He is best known as the co-founder of Finder, a global personal finance comparison platform operating in over 80 countries. Schebesta has been recognized for his contributions to the fintech industry and his advocacy for cryptocurrency adoption.[2]
Early Life and Education
Schebesta was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. He attended Macquarie University, where he earned a Bachelor of Finance degree. During his university years, he co-founded Freestyle Media, a digital marketing agency, with business partner Frank Restuccia. The agency was sold to a publicly listed company in 2007 for $1.3 million.[3]
Career
In 2006, Schebesta and Restuccia launched CreditCardFinder.com.au, a website focused on comparing credit card offers. The success of this venture led to the expansion of the platform into Finder.com.au, which now compares a wide range of financial products, including loans, insurance, and investment options. In 2015, Finder expanded into the United States market.[4]
As of 2025, Finder operates in over 80 countries, attracting more than 10 million monthly visitors. The company employs approximately 400 people across five cities and has been valued at $650 million.[5]
Finder Ventures and HiveEx
In 2018, Schebesta established Finder Ventures, the venture capital arm of Finder, aimed at incubating new business ideas. The first venture launched under this initiative was HiveEx.com, a cryptocurrency brokerage platform.[6]
The Finder App
Schebesta led the development of the Finder App, launched in 2020, which integrates personal finance management tools with product comparison features and cryptocurrency trading capabilitie.[7]
Publications and Media
In 2021, Schebesta authored the book Go Live! 10 Principles to Launch a Global Empire, sharing insights from his entrepreneurial journey.[8][9]
He also hosts The Fred Schebesta Show, a podcast featuring interviews with industry leaders and innovators, discussing topics related to entrepreneurship, technology, and personal development.[10][11][12]
Recognition
Schebesta has received several accolades for his work:
- 2019: Ranked 22nd on the Australian Financial Review Young Rich List with a net worth of $193 million.
- 2017: Named Entrepreneur of the Year in the Services category by Ernst & Young.
- 2008: Included in Australian Anthill's 30 Under 30 list
Personal Life
Schebesta is known for his unconventional lifestyle and advocacy for financial literacy. He resides in Sydney, Australia, and is active on social media platforms, sharing insights on entrepreneurship and personal finance.[13]
References
- ↑ "You can now watch the Australian Founder docos on Canvas – Mel Perkins, SafetyCulture's Luke Anear, Finder's Fred Schebesta, Brighte's Katherine McConnell for free". Startup Daily. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ↑ "Finder cofounder Fred Schebesta shaved off his golden locks to raise funds for cancer research". Startup Daily. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ↑ "Crypto billionaire's brutal takedown amid Trump's America". NT News. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ↑ "Aussie crypto king Fred Schebesta slams nanny state overregulation for killing innovation, calls for a Trump-style change". News.com.au. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ↑ "ASIC sets off the crypto fire alarm. Canberra will have to respond". Australian Financial Review. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ↑ "Australia's Bitcoin bosses and their crypto castles". realestate.com.au. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ↑ "Finder.com and crypto king Fred Schebesta says it's time for Aussies to start dreaming". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ↑ "Fred's empire is worth almost a bil, but he hasn't changed his penny-pinching ways. Here's why". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ↑ "Where's Australia's crypto king? Hibernating in his clifftop castle". Australian Financial Review. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ↑ "Fred Schebesta slams nanny state Australia". Daily Mail. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ↑ "ASIC vs Finder: Crypto Earn verdict explained". Forbes Australia. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ↑ "Finder Crypto: Fred Schebesta, Co-CEO and VC". Startup Daily. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ↑ "The crumbling empire of Fred Schebesta, Australia's self-titled 'Crypto King'". Protos. Retrieved 19 April 2025.