·By David
30 years ago we founded Cool Bananas Software in Melbourne.
#cool bananas#IT
Just realised that 2026 marked 30 years since I started my first business in Melbourne, Australia with Michelle and Peter.
Cool Bananas Software (building web sites in 1996) eventually became Cleartext Pty Ltd based in Sydney, then Cleartext Ltd in the UK and is still trading today.
During that time I often worked on leading edge technology whilst employed by various big brands, often one helping the other move forward. CipherIM built with my good mate Derek was an early version of WhatsApp and was used internally at Norton AntiVirus to exchange malware samples securely.
I designed and built a file explorer and preview tool for early web site developers whilst in Melbourne and at MessageLabs several tools to help with the processing of spam and phishing emails.
Looking back on it I wonder how I managed to be both self and full time employed, I suppose having very understanding employers was key!