Mark Woodland
Mark Woodland | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | June 28, 1982 Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Nationality | Australia |
| Organization(s) | Xplor and Kismet |
| Notable work | Australian Army, Australian psychologist |
| Height | 169 cm (5 ft 7 in) |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Ben Woodland (deceased), Liam Woodland |
| Awards | EY Entrepreneur of the Year: [1] |
Mark Alexander Woodland (born June 28, 1982) Australian entrepreneur, educator, technology innovator and retired Australian Army NCO who served in the Royal Australian Artillery and Australian Army Psychology Corps.[2]
Early career
[edit]Mark Woodland began his military career serving in the Royal Australian Artillery, where he held several key roles, including Gunner, Observation Post Command Post (OPCP) operator, and Forward Observer. These roles involved supporting artillery operations, coordinating fire missions, and providing crucial battlefield intelligence to ensure effective artillery strikes. His responsibilities in the artillery included working closely with infantry units to direct artillery fire, ensuring accurate targeting and supporting broader combat missions.[3][4]
In 2010, Woodland retired from the Australian Army to help his mother in her childcare business.[5][6]
Xplor
[edit]In 2016, Mark Woodland founded Xplor, a platform designed to streamline and modernize administrative processes within the early childhood education sector.[7][8] Xplor revolutionized the sector by reducing paperwork and improving communication between educators and parents.[9] Woodland and his mother sold their 3 childcare businesses and Woodland then went on to found [3], a software platform that removes administration from parents, educators and centers so they can focus on teaching and learning from Venture capital firm.[10]
The platform quickly gained widespread adoption, transforming the management of childcare centers across Australia. As of today, Xplor operates in 26 countries and has been valued at $3 billion.[11][12]
Kismet
[edit]In 2022, Woodland extended his entrepreneurial endeavors to healthcare. He became involved with Kismet, a company focused on improving healthcare services through technology-driven solutions.[13] Kismet's mission is to simplify healthcare management, particularly for aging populations and individuals with disabilities.[14] Under Woodland’s leadership, the company has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing startups in the world.[15]
Political Career
[edit]Woodland’s diverse background—military service, education, and technology—paved the way for his entry into Australian politics. In 2024, he launched a campaign for a seat in the Australian Senate, advocating for modern, tech-driven reforms in education and healthcare. His platform focuses on leveraging technology to enhance public services and improve the lives of Australians.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ https://getbusiness.com.au/2017s-top-victorian-entrepreneurs-revealed/
- ^ Waters, Cara (2017-08-30). "Xplor and KindyNow bring tech to the toddler market". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ a b Harkness, James (2016-08-26). "Mark Woodland on Xplor, the edutech start-up that evolved out of his $22m childcare service". Dynamic Business. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "Why Young Rich lister Mark Woodland didn't bootstrap childcare centre platform Xplor". Australian Financial Review. 2016-10-26. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "Business & Finance". INTHEBLACK. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Waters, Cara (2017-08-30). "Xplor and KindyNow bring tech to the toddler market". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Whittaker, Rosie (2023-10-18). "Three Aussie entrepreneurs to watch". Forbes Australia. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ Roberts, Jason (2024-06-11). "Xplor Education's childcare management platform evolves". The Sector. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ "How a uni dropout went from Maccas to building a $100m company". Australian Financial Review. 2024-05-19. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "Child care tech start-up Xplor raises $6m to keep parents connected". Australian Financial Review. 2016-08-01. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Xplor.
- ^ Marano, Heather (2022-09-16). "How $3.8 billion dollar company, Xplor, leverages awards for competitive advantage in a global technology market". Green Door Co. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Kopittke, Morganne (2024-03-06). "Healthtech startup Kismet raises $12.5 million to take away the admin pain of caregivers". SmartCompany. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "Health tech startup Kismet raises $4m in pre-seed funding". iTnews. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Boreham, Tim (2023-06-06). "Making healthcare connections more accessible". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "Why Young Rich lister Mark Woodland didn't bootstrap childcare centre platform Xplor". Australian Financial Review. 2016-10-26. Retrieved 2024-10-01.