Equinox Ventures

Ben Richardson

CEO/CTO

At Equinox

Equinox Ventures has revolutionised innovation by incubating diverse companies under a single roof to adeptly tackle market challenges. Ben's distinctive role as both CEO and CTO ensures a seamless fusion of business and technology, facilitating agile decision-making and cost-effective development across multiple ventures. Beyond conventional CEO duties, Ben, accredited by the Australian Institute of Company Directors, advocates for governance excellence throughout the organisation. His strategic vision spans globally, with a recent focus on discerning healthcare demands in India for the expansion of Equinox's Labflow and Ocula. As the company continues to evolve, Ben's multifaceted role remains instrumental in steering Equinox towards sustained growth and industry leadership.

Before Equinox

Ben discovered the world of coding at the age of 14, gaining a keen interest in web development and leveraging his skills to craft and sell customised websites to businesses. Whilst completing his Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering at RMIT University, Ben honed his sales and business development acumen within a web development company in Melbourne called Squareweave. Ben's entrepreneurial drive led him through various startup endeavours, including the establishment of an annual technology conference held in Melbourne, called Future Assembly. Transitioning into the corporate realm, Ben was headhunted by PwC and brought on as a product manager, driving innovative projects such as Nifty Grants and a cutting edge app used by Uber drivers today. Elevating his impact, Ben took on the role of CTO at Innowell, a groundbreaking mental health support initiative. His global influence extended to Thailand, where he served as the President and CTO of a prominent co-working chain. Concurrently, Ben was involved in various public speaking engagements, where he shared insights on effective product development, scaling teams, and navigating the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship.

Quick Fire Questions:

How do you drink your coffee?

‍A lot of coffee. I'm very pro iced coffee when the weather permits. Outside of that, I make my own lattes.

Do you have a favourite travel destination?

‍New Zealand - Every holiday I've had there has been incredible.

What is your go-to working from home lunch or snack?

‍Chorizo flavoured Sakata and three-quarters of a block of Mersey Valley Ploughman’s Cheese.

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Outside Equinox

Despite the demands of Equinox Ventures, Ben manages to walk his dog three times a day, often taking calls during those moments. Occasionally, he schedules trips to Melbourne with his fiancé, Jess, to see friends and family. Ben still longs for more time for problem-solving and coding. Currently, he is working on a unique project—a solar-powered, low-range, high-frequency mesh network designed for fire-prone areas where cellular communication is often disrupted. This independent early warning system allows devices to communicate and provide notifications, aiding in disaster preparedness for bushfires. Another side project has seen Ben create a comprehensive web application to track every aspect of his dog's care, from medications to training, showcasing his knack for over-engineering solutions to practical challenges.