Being named one of Australia’s fastest growing companies is a milestone worth recognising. But behind the rankings and headlines, growth at this pace is rarely accidental, and never easy.
Across healthcare, technology, education, business services and financial services, the fastest growing businesses tend to share a few defining traits. No flashy strategies. No shortcuts. Just disciplined execution, clarity and resilience.
What stands out in fast-growing businesses
1. A clear value proposition, and focus to protect it
Fast-growing companies are usually very clear on the problem they solve and who they solve it for. They say no more often than yes. Growth comes from depth before breadth.
2. Founders who evolve with the business
Growth puts pressure on leadership. The founders who scale well are willing to change how they spend their time, build leadership around them, and let go of parts of the business they once held tightly.
3. Strong unit economics, not just top-line momentum
Revenue growth matters, but sustainable growth is built on margins, repeat customers and operational discipline. The best businesses grow because the fundamentals support it.
4. Teams built ahead of the curve
Hiring is proactive, not reactive. High-growth companies invest early in capability, particularly in finance, operations and people leadership, before things break.
The key differences from “good” businesses
Many businesses grow. Fewer scale well.
Fast-growing companies tend to:
- Make decisions faster, with better data
- Invest earlier in systems and structure
- Address issues directly, rather than carrying them forward
- Balance ambition with realism
Growth exposes everything. Culture, process and leadership gaps surface quickly. The best teams face this head-on.
What it often takes to grow quickly, and sustainably
- Consistent execution, quarter after quarter
- Willingness to challenge legacy ways of working
- External perspective, from peers, advisors or partners
- A long-term mindset, even during rapid expansion
There’s no single playbook. But there is a pattern, disciplined leadership, clarity of purpose and the humility to keep learning.
A final thought
At Pemba, we spend a lot of time with founders and CEOs navigating this phase of growth, and we see both the opportunity and the pressure it brings.
We have seen firsthand what separates fast growth from sustainable growth, in our ongoing sponsorship of the AFR Fastest 100 & Fast Starters event and our very own Pemba Summit Awards event.
If you’re scaling, or thinking about what the next phase looks like, we’re always open to a thoughtful conversation.
Get in touch with Pemba if you’d like to discuss growth, or what might come next for your business. opportunities@pemba.com.au
Because growth is more than a number. It’s a responsibility.
