Tom Dawkins

Expert on The Purpose Economy

Tom Dawkins is the co-founder ‘Startsomegood' - the only crowd-funding site dedicated to social change makers. A social-change consultant he works alongside social enterprise and corporate organisations to help them make measurable profit from humanity in business.

Tom's pioneering work in the non-profit space has been recognised with numerous accolades including Innovator of the Year Award by the Nexus Summit and the innovation award at the Australia and New Zealand Internet awards.


Tom found his passion for social change as a teenager in the United Kingdom. As a 16 year old he was kicked out of his English class, and as he left, picked up a flyer in the hallway that changed his life forever. The flyer was advertising the opportunity for a few ambitious students to head to the States on exchange, and following his heart, that is exactly what Tom did.


Tom realised that only a small population of the world's ‘privileged' youth were able to contribute to social change forums, when in reality millions of others were also passionate about initiating social change projects.

Since that powerful realisation Tom Dawkins has spent the last two decades levelling the playing field ensuring that 100% of society can engage in and benefit from social entrepreneurship. Tom founded several non-profits including Vibewire, and was the first social media director at global change making organisation Ashoka before co-founding Startsomegood.


Tom Dawkins speaks about:

The Purpose Economy

Your business, your teams and your marketplace are being disrupted as we continue to do business in a more connected and conscience led world. The businesses that will not only survive, but thrive, will know how to align themselves to the purpose driven consumer.

Research shows that 63% of people when given the choice between a product that generates positive impact and one that doesn't, will not only choose to invest their money in ‘good', but they will pay a premium for it.
As the trend for positive economic investment reaches new heights - how can you ensure you are getting a seat at this multi-billion dollar table, and creating opportunity from in a purpose driven economy.

  • Why will the Purpose Economy exist? 
  • Millenials and The Purpose Economy 
  • Profit From Purpose 
  • Future trends and social impact
  • How do market yourself as a socially responsible company of the future?

The Attention Economy

Previously, the conversation around driving business growth has focussed on marketing to more people than your competitors - and then shouting your message, hoping it would be heard.

But now and in the future the success of these campaigns, will be measured by how many consumers, not just listen, but choose to participate in the stories these businesses tell. The engagement in a brand will lie in creating gravity around a brand story, rather than mindlessly pushing a brand in front of consumers.

Understanding and utilising attention economics and the power of story telling is the key to gaining cut-through and the businesses and brands that reach the tipping point, where collaborating with their consumers becomes the priority, will reap the rewards.

  • An understanding of how participation leads to ownership
  • The marketing tools to unlock the real ‘sharing economy'
  • The ability to engage and include their customer in the story of their business both on the digital and the analogue worlds.

The Innovation Economy

Many people have great ideas, but it takes a different level of innovation and leadership to successfully incubate an idea. As the founder of Startsomegood Tom Dawkins has witnessed millions of good ideas and some that have failed. Through this process he has been able to unlock the mindset of innovation, and this is something that can be replicated and harnessed in any organisation to enhance creativity, Ignite change, and create new opportunities.

In this presentation audience's members will walk away with key insights into what it takes to make an idea happen. This includes tools to enhance creative thinking, communicate vision, build gravity around a brand, which in turn attracts funding and support. Tom also understands that innovation often goes hand in hand with failure, and looks at methods to transform failure into opportunity.
Whether you are looking to start a business, are hoping to get a new project supported in your team, or you are hoping to make the positive ideas housed within your organisation come to life this high impact keynote.

  • Give delegates a roadmap for generating support for their project
  • Shed light on the peaks and pitfalls of the entrepreneurial spirit
  • Motivate you and your team to take the first, second and third step towards making positive change

Client testimonials


Deloitte Centre for the Edge Australia

Tom's commitment to social entrepreneurship in the digital space is something that is hard to duplicate. He is constantly listening, collaborating and broadcasting. And not only does he have a great personality online, he is even more passionate in person.

500 Start Ups

Tom spoke at a Churchill Club Open Forum in Melbourne entitled "The Business of Social Change". The audience loved hearing about his views and experiences as a serious, serial social entrepreneur. Tom's insights were amazing.

Churchill Club