About

profile_picHi, welcome to my blog. I’m an Australian serial entrepreneur living in Denver and San Francisco.

Today I focus most of my energy on my startup, Accelo, where I’m CEO and one of the co-founders. I started what’s now called Accelo with three friends and former colleagues to make it easier, less chaotic and more profitable to run a growing professional service business.

Prior to starting Accelo (and in many ways as inspiration) I started and grew a successful digital agency Internetrix from a solo venture in my apartment up to hundreds of clients ranging from small businesses through to the federal government and a prestigious partnership with Google. Also prior to Accelo, I co-founded Omnidrive, which TechCrunch called “online storage perfection“. While that business wasn’t successful, I learned a lot of lessons which I now put to good use both as an entrepreneur and an investor.

In addition to running Accelo, I’m also a foundation investor and mentor in Startmate (Australia’s version of Y-Combinator) and a co-founder and Executive Director of the Aussie Founder’s Network (AFN).

I was born and grew up in Wollongong, NSW, a city of about a quarter million about an hour south of Australia’s largest city, Sydney. In August 2011 I moved to San Francisco to take my company’s product, Accelo, to market, and in 2018 I moved with my family to ramp up our new Denver office.

25 thoughts on “About”

  1. Hi Geoff, do you have any advice about finding a job in the silicon valley area? I’m 29 and I come from an IT background here in Brisbane, working as a project manager for a medical IT company. Also, I’ve just finished a 4-year law degree at QUT. I’m thinking about an E-3 visa and I read your excellent article on obtaining one by starting a delaware company; however, I feel that it is best to start with a job before a pursue self-employment in the US.

    Any suggestions you have about finding a tech job in the US would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply ↓

  3. Mate I’m a fellow long-time Aussie ex-pat, lived on an E-3 in the US before, currently outside the States and thinking of returning. Seems we share an interest in the minutiae of immigration law and the US visa system (not to mention politics!) Keen to pick your brains; would you shoot me an email, so maybe we can set up a call? Not super keen to leave my personal details on the open web. And no – not looking for advice on getting a tech job in the Valley!

    Reply ↓

  4. Hi Geoff,

    Just wandering if I maybe able to pick you’re brains on obtaining a LLC or C-Corp to get an E-3 visa?

    I’d much prefer to chat via email if thats good with you?

    Thanks for you’re time,

    Regards VS

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks Vaughan, but no, email isn’t good for me, because:
      1. If you comment here, other people with more diverse experiences can add their advice: better for you.
      2. If you comment here and someone replies here, people in the future looking for an answer will get an answer when they’re looking, rather than waiting for someone to get back to them. Visas and moving countries is stressful and if we can give someone an answer at 2am in the morning when they can’t sleep, that is much better for them.
      3. I already get too many emails and if every comment was a one on one conversation I’d be swamped, so commenting is better for me.
      So, feel free to comment and someone will hopefully be able to get you an intelligent response as soon as we can.

      Reply ↓

  5. Dear Geoff,
    Your article ‘E3 Visas for Australian – How to’, could not have arrived to my attention at a better timing.
    I thank you.
    I am in the process of returning back to work after a 5 year hiatus to start a family and living in L.A. It’s been such a blessings as I read it earlier today and it has shed some needed light on this tedious and intimidating process without a lawyer.
    I thank you.
    .. and lastly, the date you wrote your post was on my birthday.. Sep 28.
    I thank you again!
    Your blog article has also now been viewed again via an Australian network in L.A via Facebook.
    All my very best to your ventures.

    Mazi O.

    Reply ↓

  6. Hey Geoff,

    Inspiring! I’m a freelance journalist working out of Wollongong and hoping, one day soon, to expand my wings further afield. While the Australia market has potential an international readership would be great.

    I recently went to San Francisco on a holiday, wonderful place, can see why you chose it.

    Would love to have a chat sometime.

    Thanks

    Lisa

    Reply ↓

  7. Hiya Geoff,

    I would like some advice on the E-3 visa, I am only 23 so I don’t have ‘ extraordinary’ skills or a degree etc. but I would very much like to move to America.

    Any advice on if I could fall under the E-3 visa or would I have to try take other options?

    I have been looking and there are just too many different websites etc all with different information, daunting and confusing.

    Reply ↓

  9. Hi Geoff,

    Firstly, thanks for the wealth of information on your website about the E-3 Visa. I’m planning to make the move later in the year (Australian coming from London), most likely to the midwest, so the personal account of what you’ve been through has been a helpful read. I was considering going for the application interview in Canada, but based on your renewal there, I think I might just time a trip back to Australia (hometown of Wollongong also, in fact) as I then don’t get in to any grey areas about which consulate to be applying from…. And yes, I realise I will soon need to spell it ‘gray’…. And yes, same with ‘realize’ 😛

    Paul

    Reply ↓

  10. Hi Geoff,

    Firstly, thanks for the wealth of information on your website about the E-3 Visa. I’m planning to make the move later in the year (Australian coming from London), most likely to the midwest, so the personal account of what you’ve been through has been a helpful read. I was considering going for the application interview in Canada, but based on your renewal there, I think I might just time a trip back to Australia (hometown of Wollongong also, in fact) as I then don’t get in to any grey areas about which consulate to be applying from…. And yes, I realise I will soon need to spell it ‘gray’…. And yes, same with ‘realize’ 😛

    Paul

    Reply ↓

  11. Hi
    Thanks for your help
    My VISA date ends 23 July and my LCA ends 1 September. How do I extend my LCA? I am employing myself. Very much appreciate your assistance

    Very best

    Gracie

    Reply ↓

  12. Hi Geoff, I am an Australian citizen and working in US.I came to US on my first job and had my E-3 stamped in Melbourne. I changed job with different company and got my 2nd E-3, again stamped in Melbourne.
    I am now in process of finalizing a new job (with different company) and this time would like to go to Canada (Toronto, Ottawa or Vancouver) to get the visa. Can I go to Canada to get my E-3 Visa (this is not renewal but 3rd E-3 visa for my new job)? Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.

    Reply ↓

  13. Can I hire someone as an independent contractor who is on an E3 Visa sponsored by another employer? If the answer is no, is there some way to go around that by going through her primary employer? Thank you!

    Reply ↓

    • I’m not sure the details, but my understanding is that the primary employer and the job the visa holder has with them gives them the right to be in the country. At that point, I don’t think anything stops someone from moonlighting, busking or anything else, especially if they invoice the person they’re doing the work for. But, I don’t know for sure.

      Reply ↓

      • This is really complicated! I see on some other websites that you cannot hire an independent contractor on an E3 visa. Do you know who I would ask to find out for sure? I tried calling the IRS and they just referred me to a 60 page publication that didn’t seem to have the answer either. Should I be talking to the embassy instead? Who in the US is responsible for administering the E3 visas- is it the IRS or the embassy? Thank you for your help!

  15. Hi Geoff, Need your advice for Taxation purpose. I know this forum is for E3 visa but needed your help on how are you filing the taxes in Australia while working in USA. I heard that we are subject to double taxation for foreign employment income and still we need to pay a similar tax in Australia. Can you please throw me some insights if you have filed your taxes in Australia? I am currently in US on E3 visa.

    Reply ↓

Leave a comment