Taj Pabari is a British born - Australian based entrepreneur.[1] He is the co-founder of The ASE Group, a social enterprise that helps develop the life skills and entrepreneurial skills of Australians of all ages.[citation needed]

Taj Pabari
Born
NationalityAustralian
EducationJohn Paul College
OccupationSocial entrepreneur
Years active2014–present
Known forYouth entrepreneurship
Websitetajpabari.com

Pabari was named the 2017 Queensland Young Australian of the Year and The Australian Young Innovator of the Year for 2014.[2] Pabari is best known for his work in youth entrepreneurship and the future of work commentary.

Early life

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Pabari was born in London, England and moved to Brisbane, Australia at the age of one.[3]

He was educated at John Paul College and was frequently suspended during school. He became interested in business and started his first online business age the age of ten.[4]

Pabari launched Fiftysix Creations in 2014 by selling do-it-yourself electronic tablets for kids.[5] In 2016, Fiftysix Creations began running digital literacy programs for indigenous students in Australia.[6] In 2017, Pabari was appointed by Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk to the Queensland Plan Ambassadors Council[7] and the Premier's Anti-Cyberbullying Task Force.[8]

Career

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In 2020, Pabari co-founded The ASE Group. The organisation delivers education, entrepreneurship and employment programs with the Queensland Government[9] and the Australian Government.[10]

Media and public appearances

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Pabari has appeared as an education commentator on The Today Show,[11] CNBC[12] and the ABC.[13] He has given two TEDx talks[14][15] and has been a featured speaker at the World Science Festival alongside Nobel laureate, Brian Schmidt.[citation needed]

Awards and nominations

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In 2014, Pabari won The Australian Young Innovator of the Year Award, an award given to the most exciting innovator and emerging talent. The category was presented by then Assistant Treasurer, Senator Arthur Sinodinos in Canberra, Australia. In 2017, Pabari won the Queensland Young Australian of the Year Award in Brisbane, Australia.[16] He is the youngest recipient of the award since its formation in 1979.

In 2020, Pabari was listed in the Courier Mail Logan 50 most influential people list.[17] In 2021, he was listed as one of the 40 Under 40: Most Influential Asian-Australians by Asialink.[18] In 2023, he was listed in the Courier Mail Top 30 Young Entrepreneurs Under 30 list.[19]

Year Award Category Result
2014 The Australian Young Innovator of the Year Won
2016 Queensland Government Community Digital Champion Won
2017 National Australia Day Council Young Australian of the Year[20] Nominated
Queensland Young Australian of the Year[21] Won
Westpac Business of Tomorrow - Top 20[22] Won

References

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  1. ^ "Taj Pabari". Archived from the original on 28 February 2021.Australian of the Year
  2. ^ Whigham, Nick (14 May 2018). "Teen entrepreneur Taj Pabari on the overstated importance of coding". News.com.au.
  3. ^ "Taj Pabari | Official Site". Taj Pabari | Official Site. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  4. ^ "The Founder: Start Young Aim High". aicd.companydirectors.com.au.
  5. ^ Hinchliffe, Jessica (29 April 2016). "The 16yo software tycoon and his '21st-century Lego'". ABC News.
  6. ^ "Far North Queensland youth get entrepreneurial kickstart - The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory". statements.qld.gov.au.
  7. ^ "Mr Taj Pabari". The Queensland Plan. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Membership and terms of reference for Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Task Force". Ministerial Media Statements. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  9. ^ Wainwright, Sofie (11 August 2020). "'An opportunity for young people': Townsville teens encouraged to start microbusinesses". ABC News. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Contract Notice View - CN3867609-A1: AusTender". www.tenders.gov.au. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  11. ^ https://www.9now.com.au/today/2018/extras/clips/clip-cjd0zphjj00a00go6ipsc1zbj [dead link]
  12. ^ Choudhury, Saheli Roy (21 August 2016). "Taj Pabari's start-up Fiftysix sells DIY tablet kits for children for just $150". www.cnbc.com.
  13. ^ Waldhuter, Lauren (5 May 2017). "Teen entrepreneur tells students to dream big and change the world". ABC News.
  14. ^ TEDx Talks (12 November 2015), Eliminating Limiting Beliefs | Taj Pabari | TEDxUQ, retrieved 2 May 2019
  15. ^ TEDx Talks (20 December 2016), From Suspended School Boy to Teenage Entrepreneur | Taj Pabari | TEDxIpswich, retrieved 2 May 2019
  16. ^ "Indian-origin teenage tech entrepreneur Taj Pabari wins QLD's Young Australian of the Year Award". SBS Your Language. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  17. ^ Kerr, Judith. "Logan's 50 most influential people of 2020: 40-31". www.couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  18. ^ Afshariyan, Nkayla (14 September 2021). "Asian Australian leaders discuss diversity and Australian English in the workplace". ABC Education. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  19. ^ Kerr, Judith. "How 30 young guns turned side hustles into profits".
  20. ^ "Australian of the Year Awards". aoty.com.au. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  21. ^ "Australian of the Year Awards". Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  22. ^ "Businesses of Tomorrow". businessesoftomorrow.com.au. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
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