Former Techstars boss Kirstin Hunter takes on Birchal CEO role

Former Techstars Sydney MD Kirstin Hunter’s interim CEO role at Birchal has become a full-time gig, as she leads the crowdfunding platform into its 9th year of operation.

Hunter stepped into an advisory role as CEO transition lead after cofounder Matt Vitale resigned as chief executive after eight years citing burn out.

“While my resilience and stamina have often felt limitless, in 2024, I found my limit—and pushed past it,” Vtiale said at the time.

“I’m a bit broken. I need time to repair and recuperate. I’ve realised the importance of stepping back to prioritise my health and well-being.”

Like Vitale, Hunter is a former lawyer whose career also includes Freehills, and CEO of Simon Sheikh’s Future Super, Bain & Co, Ellerston Capital and being part of the founding team of the workplace safety platform Grapevine.

She launched the NSW government-backed Techstars Tech Central Sydney Accelerator program two years ago. She was a Startmate director, Blackbird startup mentor and investor.

Her appointment as CEO follows a $2 million crowdfunding raise by Birchal in December last year.

Hunter says crowdsourced equity has a crucial role to play in Australia’s innovation sector.

“What really excites me is crowdsourced equity increases the economic power of retail investors by taking business funding decisions away from a small number of professional investors and placing it in the hands of the community,” she said.

“As the new CEO of Birchal, I’m thrilled to leverage my  experience as co-founder of Future Super combining people and financial power to change the superannuation sector, and more recently shaping the next generation of innovative business leaders as an investor at Techstars Tech Central Sydney Accelerator.”

Matt Vitale, who remains a major shareholder, said he has “deep confidence” that the crowdfunding platform’s “best days are ahead” under Hunter.

“I remain one of Birchal’s biggest champions and look forward to supporting Kirstin with anything she needs to set her and Birchal up for success,” he said.