Airwallex Launches ‘Airwallex Impact’ for Entrepreneurs and Start-ups

Airwallex, the Aussie-born fintech company, has announced a major initiative, Airwallex Impact, aimed at bolstering innovation and entrepreneurship globally. This new social impact program includes a pledge of one per cent of the company’s equity for philanthropic giving, alongside commitments of employee time, profits and products dedicated to supporting the innovation ecosystem.

By joining the Pledge 1% movement, Airwallex aligns itself with companies such as Atlassian, Canva, Airbnb, Okta, Reddit and Salesforce, who also support sustained corporate philanthropy through equity pledges.

Aiming for Sustainable Community Impact

Airwallex CEO and Co-founder Jack Zhang shared the vision behind Airwallex Impact. “As we approach our tenth anniversary, this commitment builds on our past initiatives and establishes a framework for a lasting impact program,” Zhang said. “We exist to help businesses succeed, and this initiative aligns with our goal of fostering innovation and economic development in our communities.”

Scott Farquhar, Co-Founder of Atlassian and Pledge 1%, praised the move. “We created Pledge 1% to inspire companies to integrate philanthropy into their business model,” he said. “Airwallex’s approach could set an example in applying a social impact lens across its business operations to support innovation and entrepreneurship, while empowering employees to participate in meaningful ways.”

Through its Pledge 1% partnership, Airwallex has set aside 1 per cent of its equity, currently valued at over US$56M, to create a sustainable endowment for social impact. This model ensures that as the company grows, so too does the potential funding available for philanthropic causes. Airwallex previously donated AU$3M to the University of Melbourne, creating scholarships that have supported 43 students, 40 per cent of whom are women, with more than half from overseas.

Airwallex has also contributed AU$150,000 to help cover non-tuition expenses for an additional 65 students, who have benefited from mentorship and internship opportunities within the company. To date, Airwallex employees have dedicated over 400 hours to mentoring students in this program, highlighting the company’s commitment to nurturing young talent.

Expanding Support for the Next Generation of Innovators

The Airwallex Impact Program will expand these efforts, establishing philanthropic partnerships in key regions to provide resources for future entrepreneurs. Support will include scholarships, financial training and startup incubation programs.

Amy Lesnick, CEO of Pledge 1%, welcomed Airwallex to the community. “Airwallex’s equity commitment is key because it ties the company’s success to a long-term engagement with philanthropy,” Lesnick said. “As Airwallex grows, so does its potential to make a real difference.”

In addition to financial support, the Airwallex Impact Program will provide resources to the innovation community through mentoring, the Airwallex for Startups program and discounted products for select non-profits. This suite of resources is funded by the company itself, underscoring its commitment to fostering growth in the startup community.

Scaling the Airwallex for Startups Program

Since launching in September 2023, the Airwallex for Startups program has attracted over 2,000 startups in Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong, with a New Zealand launch scheduled for later this month. The program offers networking opportunities, partner perks and other resources tailored to the needs of emerging entrepreneurs. Through these efforts, Airwallex has hosted more than 50 events aimed at supporting startup success.

The program also builds on Airwallex’s history of mentoring and aiding startups across the Ai and fintech sectors. By participating in initiatives such as Australia’s Techstars incubator and supporting the Sydney-based Ai Build Club, Airwallex has contributed to breaking down barriers for early-stage startups. Recently, the company sponsored a mostly female founder team to travel to San Francisco for capital-raising, underscoring its support for underrepresented founders.

Empowering Airwallex Employees to Give Back

Beginning in 2025, Airwallex’s 1,600+ employees will each commit three days annually to community service, amounting to roughly 1 per cent of their time. Two of these days will be dedicated to service through Airwallex Impact initiatives, with an additional day available for any non-profit cause of their choice.

Zhang reflected on the importance of this volunteerism. “Our team includes some of the brightest minds across different fields. The skills they’ve developed as part of a high-growth startup are invaluable, and there’s great reward in sharing those insights to help the larger ecosystem thrive,” Zhang said.

Supporting Non-Profits with Discounted Products

In mid-2025, Airwallex will introduce a program allowing select non-profit organisations to access its products at a discounted rate. This initiative forms part of the company’s broader effort to support the innovation community and encourage sustainable growth across various sectors.

Last Updated on November 12, 2024 by Nick Ross