OpenAI has provided more than A$5.5 million in API credits to Australian founders and entrepreneurs since launching locally in December 2025. The milestone was celebrated at OpenAI's Sydney Founder Day, which attracted more than 150 builders from across the country. Australia now ranks among OpenAI's top 10 global markets for developers building on its platform.
A Growing Community of Builders
The Sydney event showcased a diverse mix of participants, from established founders to high school students, highlighting the growing accessibility of artificial intelligence. Among the experienced attendees were Relevance AI co-founder Jacky Koh and Ignition co-founder Dane Thomas. Their presence reflected how artificial intelligence is becoming a shared foundation across different stages of entrepreneurship.
Young Founders Turn AI Into Real Ventures
Year 12 students Peter Starodubtsev and Steve Zhu attended the event as founders of AI-powered startups. Starodubtsev leads Petrex, a gaming and advertising venture that has secured six-figure pre-seed backing. The company uses OpenAI's Codex to build branded experiences directly into gaming platforms, moving beyond interruptive advertising by making brand presence feel natural.
Zhu is building Workwise, an AI-native operations platform designed to support Australian small businesses. The platform helps business owners coordinate complex workflows across the tools they already use. Zhu said the idea came from watching his mother manage an e-commerce business and seeing how founders can get lost in operational details.
OpenAI's Support for Local Innovation
Wulfie Bain, OpenAI's International Applied AI Lead, highlighted the speed at which Australian founders are turning ideas into products. He noted that artificial intelligence is lowering barriers to building and giving local entrepreneurs new ways to compete globally. Bain also emphasized that cost efficiency remains central to maximizing the value of API credits.
OpenAI has expanded its startup program to offer eligible Australian companies up to US$50,000, roughly A$70,000, in API credits. The package also includes ten complimentary ChatGPT Business seats and access to Codex. Bain added that improved efficiency has reduced API pricing for GPT-5.6 Luna by 80 percent, helping founders stretch their budgets further.
The Sydney event also included live demonstrations, product updates, and practical sessions covering legal services, financial technology, customer support and AI-powered automation. Founders from different sectors shared how they are applying OpenAI tools to improve productivity and build new services. The sessions offered practical insight into the day-to-day use of artificial intelligence across Australian startups.
Australia's Broader AI Momentum
Australia's AI ecosystem has seen significant investment activity and rising adoption in recent months. AI data centre infrastructure startup Firmus recently reached a valuation of $15 billion after raising $2.85 billion for its $73 billion national rollout, named Project Southgate. This demonstrates the scale of capital flowing into Australian AI-related ventures.
A new parliamentary inquiry has opened to investigate barriers preventing small and family businesses from effectively using AI. Research indicates that enterprise AI tool adoption remains concentrated among the largest firms. Meanwhile, Datacom research shows more than two in five Australian firms have already appointed chief AI officers, with that number expected to rise to almost two in three by 2027.
The A$5.5 million API credit milestone signals OpenAI's deepening commitment to the Australian market. From high school founders to established entrepreneurs, local builders are using artificial intelligence to accelerate product development and pursue global opportunities. The Sydney Founder Day highlighted that Australia is becoming a notable hub for AI-driven startups.