The awards, finalist places and speaking credits I have earned, plus the list Collective Shift made, each linked to the organiser or publisher so you can check it. Updated 14 November 2026.
What awards has Ben Simpson won?
As of November 2026, Ben Simpson, founder and CEO of Collective Shift, was a finalist for Smart50 Founder of the Year 2026 and for the 2025 Melbourne Young Entrepreneur Awards. Collective Shift is on the Financial Review Fast 100 list for 2026, which ranks Australia’s fastest growing companies. Ben is also a TEDx speaker and a Saxton Speakers keynote speaker. Every entry below links to its source, and finalist places are shown as finalist places.
Awards and lists
Listed | The Australian Financial Review | 2026
Named on the Financial Review Fast 100 list for 2026
Collective ShiftNovember 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
BenSeptember 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
BenOctober 2025
Business News Australia’s awards recognise young business talent across every industry. Ben was named a finalist for Collective Shift.
Source: businessnewsaustralia.com
Speaking recognition
TEDx | 2022
TEDx talk: Why You Should Care About Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets
Ben’s TEDx talk explains, for people with no crypto background, why digital assets are worth understanding.
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
My TEDx talk at TEDxCecilStreet, September 2022. Topics and formats for your event are on the speaking page.
The story behind the Fast 100
The Fast 100 measures company revenue growth, not investment returns. In 2020 I sold a big chunk of my crypto to start Collective Shift, and the early years were hard. The AFR covered that stretch in a June 2025 feature on founder burnout. I tell the full story myself here.
How I Went From Bankrupt to Millionaire Crypto Investor at 26 (My Story), on my YouTube channel, 17 September 2025.
Collective Shift recognition
Company awards, sources and what each one means are on the Collective Shift awards and recognition page. Collective Shift provides general information and education only, and does not give personal financial advice.
Questions
What awards has Ben Simpson won?
As of November 2026, Ben Simpson was a finalist for Smart50 Founder of the Year 2026 and for the 2025 Melbourne Young Entrepreneur Awards. Collective Shift, the company he founded, is on the Financial Review Fast 100 list for 2026.
Is Ben Simpson a TEDx speaker?
Yes. Ben gave the talk "Why You Should Care About Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets" at TEDxCecilStreet in September 2022. It is on TED.com and the TEDx Talks YouTube channel.
Which Ben Simpson is this?
Ben Simpson, founder and CEO of Collective Shift, the Melbourne based digital asset research and education firm. He is not the same person as others who share his name.