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Murray Hurps

Murray Hurps

Director of Entrepreneurship at University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

Murray Hurps is a prominent figure in the Australian startup ecosystem, known for his extensive experience in entrepreneurship and innovation. He is currently the Director of Entrepreneurship at the University of Technology Sydney, where he supports and inspires entrepreneurship across the university. Under his leadership, UTS Startups has become the largest community of student-launched startups in Australia.Previously, Murray served as the Managing Director of Startup Muster, the largest survey of the Australian startup ecosystem, aimed at measuring and publishing the progress, challenges, and opportunities within the sector. He also held the position of CEO at Fishburners, where he helped grow it into Australia's largest startup community, expanding from 100 to 750 desks across Sydney, Brisbane, and Shanghai.Murray is the founder of Ad Muncher, a leading ad-blocking and security product that achieved significant success with millions of downloads and active users. His career also includes roles such as Program Director for FUELD at Westpac and CTO of Vamp Bikinis.Murray's journey in technology and entrepreneurship began at a young age, and he has consistently contributed to the growth and development of startups in Australia.

In their own words

The best impediment to a great life is a good life, and us as a country have been quite comfortable where we are.
▶ Murray Hurps discusses the barriers to growth in the startup ecosystem The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview Series · 15 March 2022
For the first time in human history, you can address every customer in the world, service every customer in the world, from a laptop in Sydney as a 16 year old.
▶ Startup Muster – Featuring Murray Hurps & Maria MacNamara Welcome to Day One · 12 August 2019

Career

  1. Now Director of Entrepreneurship · University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
  2. 2014–2017 · Startup CEO · Fishburners
  3. Earlier Program Director · FUELD (Westpac)
  4. Earlier Founder · Startup Muster
  5. Earlier · Startup Founder · Ad Muncher

Sources: aicd.com.au

Key moments

Jump straight to the part of Murray Hurps discusses the barriers to growth in the startup ecosystem you want.

  1. 0:29 Meet Murray Hurps
  2. 1:04 Murray's Role at UTS Startups
  3. 1:31 Cost of Living and Entrepreneurship
  4. 2:28 Murray's Early Startup Experience
  5. 3:14 Discovering Fishburners
  6. 4:05 Growth of the Startup Ecosystem
  7. 5:20 Catalysts for Startup Growth
  8. 6:49 Current State of the Ecosystem
  9. 8:21 Future Opportunities in Entrepreneurship
  10. 8:30 Expansion of Fishburners and Other Spaces

Connections

Spot something wrong? Suggest a correction Updated 25 September 2026

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