By: Georgette Virgo
When Jacques Greeff sold his co-founded company, Realbase, for $180 million, it marked not necessarily the end of his entrepreneurial journey but rather a new beginning. At just 34, he had achieved what many strive for their entire careers—a successful exit and financial freedom. Yet, for Jacques, this milestone was more of a stepping stone to exploring new passions and contributing meaningfully to the Australian entrepreneurial ecosystem.
From Bootstrapping to a $180 Million Exit
Jacques’ entrepreneurial journey started from scratch. Together with his brothers, he co-founded Realbase as a solution to inefficiencies in real estate marketing. Initially focused on providing photography and floor plan services for real estate agencies, the company eventually evolved into a comprehensive cloud-based platform. Realbase offered tools for creating brochures, signboards, videos, and other marketing materials—all seamlessly integrated into one system.
Realbase’s services appeared to quickly gain traction. In 2020, it merged with its competitor Campaigntrack and expanded its footprint across Australia and New Zealand. By the time Domain Group acquired it in 2022 for $180 million, Realbase had established itself as a significant player in property technology.
Reflecting on this milestone, Jacques mentioned, “The exit was surreal. We spent what felt like every waking minute of our lives. It was the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice.”
Building a Gathering of Successful Entrepreneurs
After the successful business exit, Jacques found himself at a crossroads. He had the financial freedom to pursue any path he desired, explore, and rest at his own pace, but he was driven by a desire to give back to the entrepreneurial community. This led him to launch Founders Table, a community he co-manages with his brother Frank, aimed at connecting high-revenue entrepreneurs with reported $180 million or more in Australia.
The free-entry community is designed to address a common challenge for many entrepreneurs: feeling isolated. It brings together founders who understand the highs and lows of building a successful business, fostering an environment where founders can share insights, learn from each other’s experiences, and grow together.
“The $180 million exit was amazing,” Jacques explains. “But looking back, I realized how lonely the journey could sometimes be. That’s why, together with Frank, we wanted to create a community where founders could share their successes and struggles without any agenda or sales pitch. We are always excited to meet new, ambitious entrepreneurs. See you at the Founders Table.”
Embracing AI and the Future of Business
After stepping away from Realbase, Jacques focused on another passion: artificial intelligence (AI). He became fascinated by how AI might help businesses automate repetitive tasks, enabling teams to focus on more strategic initiatives without being bogged down by routine activities.
Jacques frequently shares insights about AI’s potential on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, where he engages with other entrepreneurs and leaders about real-world applications of this rapidly evolving technology.
“AI investment is currently through the roof,” Jacques notes. “But what excites me most is how automation has the potential to chain together multiple workflows—helping businesses do more with less.”
Always Learning, Always Expanding
In both his AI endeavors and his work at Founders Table, Jacques Greeff has realized that learning is a lifelong journey that doesn’t end with retirement. Whether he’s delving into the latest advancements in AI or engaging with fellow entrepreneurs through Founders Table, these experiences seem to offer invaluable opportunities to expand his knowledge, uncover new opportunities, and contribute to shaping the next potentially groundbreaking business ventures.
Published by Drake M.
