Archive · 19 Jan 2026
Airwallex CEO Jack Zhang on burnout, work ethic, and success
Jack Zhang is the CEO of Airwallex, a company worth $8 billion.
He has worked very hard for many years, often putting in 80-100 hours a week.
He started working when he was young to pay for his studies and living expenses.
After working in banking, he decided to start Airwallex with his friends.
The idea came from their need to send money overseas for their coffee business.
Airwallex has grown a lot and is now worth billions.
Zhang says he doesn't understand burnout because he has always worked hard to achieve his goals.
Jack Zhang, co-founder and CEO of Airwallex, works 80-100 hours a week and doesn't understand burnout.
Zhang funded his studies and living expenses through blue-collar jobs in Australia.
The idea for Airwallex came from Zhang's and his friend's need to wire money overseas for their coffee business.
Airwallex has grown to an $8 billion valuation and achieved $1 billion in annualized run rate revenue.
Zhang's motivation to start Airwallex came from wanting to find his true passion and make his daughter proud.
- Who
- Jack Zhang, co-founder and CEO of Airwallex
- What
- Discussion on work ethic, burnout, and the founding of Airwallex
- When
- Present, with references to past experiences and the company's timeline
- Where
- Global, with specific mentions of Melbourne, Australia, and China
- Why
- To share his journey, work ethic, and the motivation behind founding Airwallex
- Name
- Jack Zhang
- Role
- Co-founder and CEO of Airwallex
- Company Valuation
- $8 billion
- Work Hours
- 80-100 hours per week for over 20 years
- Education
- Computer Science degree from the University of Melbourne
- Founding Year
- 2015
- Annualized Run Rate Revenue (ARR)
- $1 billion (as of December)
- Notable Achievement
- Second foreign company to expand into China