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About Collective Shift
Collective Shift Awards and Recognition
The awards, lists and finalist places Collective Shift and our founder Ben Simpson have earned, each linked to the organiser or publisher so you can check it yourself.
Fast 100
Financial Review list, 2026
2
Founder award finalist places, 2025 and 2026
22
Linked media features since 2021
The Short Answer
What Awards Has Collective Shift Won?
As of November 2026, Collective Shift is on the Financial Review Fast 100 list for 2026, which ranks Australia’s fastest growing companies. Our founder Ben Simpson was a finalist for Smart50 Founder of the Year 2026 and for the 2025 Melbourne Young Entrepreneur Awards. Ben is also a TEDx speaker and a Saxton Speakers keynote speaker. Collective Shift is a Melbourne based digital asset research and education business founded in 2020. Every entry below links to the organiser or publisher, and we only list recognition we can link to.
Awards and Lists
Our Latest Awards and Recognition
Newest first. Finalist places are shown as finalist places, and we don’t publish ranks we can’t link to.
Listed | The Australian Financial Review | 2026
Named on the Financial Review Fast 100 list for 2026
The annual Fast 100 list identifies Australia’s fastest growing companies. Collective Shift is on the 2026 list.
Source: afr.com
2026
Finalist | SmartCompany Smart50 Awards | 2026
Finalist, Smart50 Founder of the Year 2026
The Founder of the Year award recognises the founder of a fast growing Australian business who leads with excellence. Ben was one of eleven finalists.
Source: smartcompany.com.au and smart50awards.com.au
2025
Finalist | Business News Australia | 2025
Finalist, 2025 Melbourne Young Entrepreneur Awards
Business News Australia’s awards recognise young business talent across every industry. Ben was named a finalist for Collective Shift.
Source: businessnewsaustralia.com
Speaking
Recognised as a Speaker
Ben speaks to business, finance and general audiences about crypto and digital assets.
Saxton Speakers | 2022
Keynote speaker on cryptocurrency and digital assets, Saxton Speakers
Saxton, one of Australia’s best known speaker bureaus, lists Ben as a keynote speaker on cryptocurrency and digital assets.
Source: saxton.com.au
Australian Crypto Convention | 2025
Speaker, Australian Crypto Convention 2025, Sydney
Ben was on the speaker line up for the Australian Crypto Convention in Sydney.
Source: cryptoevents.global
The Story Behind the Growth
From a Failing Start Up to the Fast 100
The Fast 100 measures revenue growth over three years. Ben tells the harder part of that story in his own words: selling his crypto to fund the business, nearly going broke in his early twenties, and rebuilding Collective Shift with a team around him. The AFR covered the same years in its June 2025 feature on founder burnout.
Video: How I Went From Bankrupt to Millionaire Crypto Investor at 26 (My Story), Ben Simpson on YouTube, 17 September 2025.
At a Glance
Every Award, List and Speaking Credit
| Year | Recognition | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Named on the Financial Review Fast 100 list for 2026 (Collective Shift) | afr.com |
| 2026 | Finalist, Smart50 Founder of the Year 2026 (Ben Simpson) | smartcompany.com.au |
| 2025 | Finalist, 2025 Melbourne Young Entrepreneur Awards (Ben Simpson) | businessnewsaustralia.com |
| 2022 | TEDx talk: Why You Should Care About Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets (Ben Simpson) | ted.com |
| 2022 | Keynote speaker on cryptocurrency and digital assets, Saxton Speakers (Ben Simpson) | saxton.com.au |
| 2025 | Speaker, Australian Crypto Convention 2025, Sydney (Ben Simpson) | cryptoevents.global |
Read This First
What This Recognition Does and Doesn’t Mean
- It is about the business, not investment returns. The Fast 100 measures company revenue growth. It says nothing about how any crypto asset or portfolio will perform.
- Finalist means finalist. Ben was shortlisted for Smart50 Founder of the Year 2026 and the 2025 Melbourne Young Entrepreneur Awards. Another founder won each award.
- We are an education business. Collective Shift provides general information and education only. We don’t give personal financial advice, manage money or hold member assets. See Important Information.
For company facts you can check, see Is Collective Shift legit? and our Trust and Transparency page.
As Seen In
22 Media Features, All Linked
TV, press, podcasts and talks featuring Collective Shift and Ben Simpson.
- Cointelegraph Magazine
- 7NEWS
- Cryptonews.com.au
- NGMI podcast
- The Australian Financial Review
- Economics Explored
- Crypto Curious
- Dollars and Making Sense
- Stockhead
- TEDx Talks
- NOVA Entertainment
- The Assets Show
- Grow A Small Business
- Blockstars Web3 Weekly
Questions
Awards FAQs
What awards has Collective Shift won?
As of November 2026, Collective Shift is on the Financial Review Fast 100 list for 2026. Founder Ben Simpson was a finalist for Smart50 Founder of the Year 2026 and the 2025 Melbourne Young Entrepreneur Awards.
Is Collective Shift on the AFR Fast 100?
Yes. Collective Shift is on the Financial Review Fast 100 list for 2026, published by The Australian Financial Review in November 2026. The list identifies Australia’s fastest growing companies by revenue growth.
Was Ben Simpson a Smart50 Founder of the Year finalist?
Yes. SmartCompany named Ben Simpson, founder and CEO of Collective Shift, as one of eleven finalists for Smart50 Founder of the Year 2026. The winner was decided by public vote.
Does an award mean Collective Shift gives financial advice?
No. The recognition is for the business. Collective Shift provides general information and education only, and does not give personal financial advice, manage money or hold member assets.
How can I book Ben Simpson to speak?
Use the speaker page or email [email protected] with your event date, city and audience.
Writing About Collective Shift?
Get the facts, bios and every media feature in one place, or email us with your outlet, deadline and angle.