Jack Zhang’s journey to becoming one of the world’s leading fintech entrepreneurs is anything but conventional. What began with a local café in Melbourne has evolved into Airwallex—a multi-billion-dollar global financial technology company reshaping how businesses handle cross-border payments.
A Problem Brews Over Coffee
While managing his Melbourne coffee shop, Zhang encountered a common frustration faced by many small business owners: slow, costly international transactions. Sourcing supplies from overseas meant navigating high fees and outdated financial systems. This pain point became the seed of an idea that would grow into Airwallex.
Using his background in software engineering and experience in the finance sector, Zhang teamed up with a group of university friends in 2015. Together, they set out to develop a modern, efficient platform for international payments—one that would empower businesses of all sizes to transact globally without the friction of traditional banking.
Building a Fintech Powerhouse
Fast forward to today, and Airwallex has grown into a financial technology giant. With more than 1,400 employees spread across 20 global offices, the company now processes over $130 billion in annual transaction volume. Businesses in more than 100 countries rely on its services, and it supports payments in more than 180 currencies.
As of 2025, Airwallex is valued at $6.2 billion and is on track to generate $1 billion in annual revenue, reflecting its rapid scaling and strong demand for digital-first financial infrastructure.
Hard Lessons and Entrepreneurial Growth
Despite Airwallex’s success, Zhang is candid about the challenges he faced. Early hiring decisions, such as managing recruitment himself via LinkedIn, proved unsustainable. He later recognised the importance of hiring not just for experience but for adaptability and cultural fit—qualities crucial in a fast-moving startup environment.
Global expansion was another learning curve. Zhang admits that entering multiple international markets early on was ambitious, even risky. However, it also positioned Airwallex for long-term growth and helped them learn quickly what works—and what doesn’t—in diverse business environments.
Culture and leadership were also key areas of focus. Zhang acknowledges the difficulty of transitioning from a hands-on founder to a delegator. Over time, he learnt the value of empowering his team and trusting others to lead different aspects of the company.
Staying Ahead Through Innovation
Zhang and his team made bold bets on product development, even when the financial returns weren’t immediate. Two major product lines, which initially struggled to gain traction, now generate a significant portion of the company’s revenue. This long-term vision, combined with a willingness to take calculated risks, has helped Airwallex maintain its competitive edge.
What’s Next for Airwallex
Looking ahead, Zhang is focused on expanding Airwallex’s footprint even further. New markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America are on the horizon, and the company continues to invest in building seamless global financial services.
Zhang envisions Airwallex not just as a payments platform but as a complete global financial operating system for businesses—a one-stop solution that can scale with companies as they grow across borders.
A Relentless Drive for Impact
Known for his work ethic—often clocking 80 hours a week—Zhang balances quiet introspection with high-energy leadership. Despite his global achievements, he remains grounded and committed to improving how businesses operate in an increasingly interconnected world.
His story is a testament to how personal pain points, when approached with innovation and determination, can spark solutions with global impact.
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