Jack Zhang, co-founder and CEO of fintech company Airwallex, embodies relentless work ethic. He moved from Qingdao, China, to Melbourne, Australia, at 15, facing financial struggles that forced him to support himself through university. Juggling four jobs while studying computer science, he often worked 80 to 100 hours a week. For Zhang, burnout was a foreign concept; survival was the priority. Now in his 40s, he continues to clock around 80 hours weekly, overseeing a company that has reached a valuation of $8 billion as of December 2025. After graduating in 2007, Zhang entered the corporate world, working at Aviva and later in banking, while also launching side businesses. Despite accumulating wealth, he struggled to find true fulfillment until the birth of his daughter at age 30 prompted a shift in focus. He realized that building something meaningful, rather than just earning money, was essential for his happiness. In December 2015, he left his banking job to pursue Airwallex, inspired by the challenges he faced with international payments while running a coffee shop with co-founder Max Li. The duo recognized the inefficiencies of the traditional SWIFT system for cross-border payments. They aimed to create a more streamlined solution, leading to the official formation of Airwallex in late 2015. Their early team included friends from university, with Lucy Liu investing the first $1 million. Fast forward to the end of 2025, Airwallex reported over $1 billion in annualized run rate revenue and aims to reach at least $10 billion by 2030. Zhang remains optimistic about the future, highlighting the potential for even greater growth.