John Allsopp co-founded Web Directions, the Australian conference series for web professionals, with Maxine Sherrin in 2004 and now runs it. He is also a co-founder of Large Language Law, which covers AI and machine learning in the legal field.
A Sydney-based developer and author, he co-founded Westciv, one of the earliest companies to use the web for software distribution, and was head developer of the CSS editor Style Master. He has written widely on web design and development, including “A Dao of Web Design”, and has spoken at conferences around the world. He holds a BSc in Mathematics, Computer Science and Law from the University of Sydney.
On Day One's History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem series, he discussed how the startup scene grew from a community into an industry.
2 episodes
Start hereJohn Allsopp discusses the startup ecosystem’s evolution from a “community” to an “industry”His full interview on how Australia's startup scene turned from a community into an industry.
Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem With Jodie Fox, Alfred Lo, Hamish Hawthorn, Cameron Adams, Evan Thornley, Malcolm Turnbull, Ian Gardiner, Mick Liubinskas, Matt Barrie, Mark Pesce, Phil Hayes-St Clair, Simon Thomsen, Phil Morle, Silvia Pfeiffer, Dean McEvoy, Alan Noble, Niki Scevak, Alan Jones
The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview Series Key moments from John Allsopp discusses the startup ecosystem’s evolution from a “community” to an “industry”.
“The challenge continues to be seeing that there's a single model of development in a startup ecosystem. It's got to look like Silicon Valley.”
Co-Founder · Large Language Law
Founder · Westciv
Co-founder · Web Directions
Sources: web.archive.org, webdirections.org
Large Language Law is a website and newsletter that publishes frequent short news items on artificial intelligence and the law.
1 person · 2 episodes
Adam SpencerHost, Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem 
Jodie FoxCo-founder & former Chief Creative Officer, Shoes of Prey 
Alfred LoChief Commercial & Product Officer, Harvest B 
Hamish HawthornVP Corporate Development, Propeller Aero 
Cameron AdamsCo-founder & Chief Product Officer, Canva 
Evan ThornleyCo-Founder & CEO, LongView 
Malcolm TurnbullFormer Prime Minister of Australia 
Ian GardinerCo-Founder, Innovation Bay Spot something wrong? Suggest a correctionUpdated 29 October 2026
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