Growing up with the challenges of living with Autism and an underprivileged childhood, from a young age Dane De Forest was determined to create products that would have a positive impact on the world. His passion for first-principle thinking and solving problems inspired him to found a startup when he was 24 years old. With a mission to empower individuals to create products and ventures that have a positive impact on the lives of users.

From Melbourne, Australia, Dane recognised a critical issue in his country: the lack of access to commercialisation and R&D that could drive innovation, the bedrock of products that have the power to improve people’s lives. This realisation became the foundation of Launchpad, a company committed to bridging this gap and fostering meaningful change through technology.

What began as a startup in Dane’s bedroom has flourished into a force for powering amazing products and becoming a B-Corp organisation. Over the past nine years, Launchpad has expanded to an amazing team of over 30 dedicated professionals, building products for clients and users around the world. Dane’s vision has been instrumental in this growth, and his story is a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication in a pursuit that has taken over a decade to achieve.

Beyond business, Dane is committed to social issues and environmental sustainability. He lives with his partner Sunny and their dog Jackson, in Melbourne. Together, they support various charitable initiatives, including sponsoring children and surgical procedures for disadvantaged communities and carbon-offsetting initiatives including planting trees and funding renewable energy projects. Launchpad is also actively involved in developing technology ventures aimed at enhancing well-being, supporting the Autism community and promoting equality of opportunity.

Dane De Forest’s journey is one of overcoming adversity and using his experiences to fuel a mission of innovation and positive impact. At Launchpad, he continues to drive forward-thinking solutions that not only address current challenges but also pave the way for a more fair and sustainable future.