Appster

Appster

Type	Private
Industry	App development
Founded	2011
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Mark McDonald Josiah Humphrey
Website	appster.com.au

Appster is an Australian app development agency, founded in 2011. It develops mobile, web and wearable apps for startups, public figures and enterprises. The company states it's ambition is to be the world's first ideas company.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

History

Appster was launched in June 2011 by Mark McDonald and Josiah Humphrey originally as a digital agency consulting to online e-commerce companies on conversion rate optimisation. It soon pivoted when they realised they were 'better at making things' and become a full stack software-development and digital product strategy firm.

During 2011 and beyond the firm has experienced exceptional growth hiring over 15 staff in Melbourne, Australia and completing over 20 apps^[7]

In 2013, Appster hired CTO Martin Halford to expand internationally forming a company in Gurgaon, India. This was the first international office and according to Mark McDonald gave the company scope to source talent they couldn't easily acquire within Australia.

In 2014, Appster had over 100 staff globally opening up an office in San Francisco with 5 full-time staff and estimated revenues in the Australian market of $10 million. Additions were made to the senior executive team as well as advisory board including notable executives Liz Savage (Former CCO of Virgin Australia) and David Jaques (Founding CFO of Paypal.com). ^{[8][9][10][11][12]}

In February 2015, Appster partnered with Hobart’s New Town High school in Tasmania to give students a hands-on experience coding and designing gaming apps.^[13][14]

In 2015, Appster named "5 Successful Tech Companies That Were Started For Under $10,000" by Forbes.^[15] and News.com.au hailed Appster as the next Apple.^[16]

In November 2015, The Victorian government announced Appster plans on creating more than 100 new jobs over the next 3 years.^[17]

Applications

• BlueDot
• Frienemies
• Jagermeister' Hunt Master
• TransportMe
• SplashFlood

Awards

• 2014 BRW’s 27th Most Innovative Company.^[18][19]
• 2015 Telstra Business Award^[20]

References

1. "They pay themselves $350 a week and want Elon Musk for their board: meet Appster’s ambitious founders". brw.com.au. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
2. "So you want to join a start-up". bbc.com. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
3. "Ditching university for Appster stardom". businessspectator.com.au. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
4. "From two people to 50 in two years: One app developing start-up’s story". startupsmart.com.au. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
5. "Mobile App Development Company Appster Announces US Expansion". insidemobileapps.com. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
6. "Incredible ideas require incredible execution". startupdaily.com.au. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
7. "Appster entrepreneurs fly high on hard work and good ideas". smh.com.au. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
8. "Why a Melbourne app company is moving to New York with plans for over 40 offices". smartcompany.com.au. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
9. "Appster cashes in on modern gold rush". theaustralian.com.au. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
10. "Aussie Startup Appster Adds Former Founding PayPal CFO And Virgin Australia Executive To Its Board". forbes.com. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
11. "The truth about Appster and how they attracted the man that helped grow iSelect to join the company". startupdaily.com.au. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
12. "Two Teenage Dropouts With $3,000 and No Business Training Could Be Building the Next Apple". Inc. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
13. "Australian startup Appster is teaching schoolkids how to code". Business Insider Australia.
14. "High school teaches app creation". Financial Review.
15. "SungardASVoice: Startups On a Shoestring: 5 Successful Tech Companies That Were Started For Under $10,000". Forbes.
16. "How two Aussies made the next Apple". News.Com.Au.
17. "Appster to add 100 jobs to Victoria". The Australian.
18. "BRW Most Innovative Companies 2014: 27. Appster". BRW.
19. "50 Most Innovative Companies 2014". BRW.
20. "2015 Finalists - Telstra Business Awards". Telstra Business Awards.