Early Life & Entrepreneurial Spark
Born in November 1982, Ruslan Kogan migrated from Belarus to Australia with his family in 1989, settling in a Melbourne housing commission flat. His entrepreneurial instincts emerged early—at age 10, he launched a golf ball resale business, cleaning and repackaging them for weekend golfers. Fascinated by technology, he built his first computer at age nine using salvaged parts from swap meets.

Throughout his youth, Kogan launched various ventures, from mobile phone repairs to web design, showcasing a blend of hustle and digital curiosity.

Academic & Corporate Foundations
Kogan graduated from Melbourne High School and earned a Bachelor of Business Systems (Information Technology) from Monash University. While studying, he worked full-time and gained valuable experience in IT and consulting roles at Bosch, GE, Telstra, and Accenture.

These early career experiences sharpened his understanding of business systems, operations, and efficiency—skills he would later channel into his startup.

The Birth of Kogan.com
In 2006, at just 23, Kogan founded Kogan.com from his parents’ garage. With a vision to democratize access to high-quality electronics, the brand launched with a new line of affordable televisions.

Kogan.com grew rapidly, expanding its product range and becoming known for its direct-to-consumer model that bypassed traditional retail markups. The brand disrupted Australian retail by offering digital radios, tablets, cameras, and household items at competitive prices.

Business Growth & Digital Expansion
From humble beginnings, Kogan.com scaled dramatically:

• Year 3: $3 million in revenue
• Year 5: $22 million
• Year 7: Over $200 million

The brand diversified into verticals including Kogan Mobile, Kogan Internet, Kogan Insurance, Kogan Travel, and Kogan Money, aiming to make everyday services—from credit cards to superannuation—more affordable for Australians.

Media Presence & Thought Leadership
Ruslan Kogan is a vocal and sometimes controversial figure in the tech and business space. He has penned opinion pieces for global outlets like:

• Forbes (on Facebook)
• TechCrunch
• Fast Company
• VentureBeat
• Gizmodo
• The Australian

Kogan is also a LinkedIn Influencer and active on Twitter (@ruslankogan) and Instagram (@ruslankogan).

Views & Advocacy
Kogan has frequently voiced his opinions on consumer tech policy, notably criticizing the Australian Government’s internet filter and the Set Top Box Scheme. A staunch advocate for open-source platforms, he was among the first to bring an Android-based tablet under £100 to the UK and launched ChromeOS laptops in Australia ahead of global competitors.

Recognition & Awards
Ruslan Kogan has received numerous accolades, including:

• Deloitte Technology Fast 50
• The Age Top 100 Most Influential People (2008 & 2011)
• BRW Fast Starters & Fast 100 Lists
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Southern Region, 2012)
• Men’s Style Magazine – Men of Influence
• Top 50 Most Influential People in Tech
• Virgin Australia Top Guns in Tech
• Australian Retail Association – Retail Innovator of the Year

Challenges & Public Criticism
Despite his success, Kogan has drawn criticism for bold public statements, particularly via social media. He has sparred with competitors, ridiculed big-box retailers, and courted backlash, including a controversial tweet during International Transgender Day of Visibility in 2018.

Personal Life & Legacy
Ruslan lives in Melbourne with his wife, Anastasia. He was one of the first Australians to purchase a ticket for Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic spaceflight program.

Committed to giving back, Kogan regularly speaks at schools, universities, and entrepreneurship forums, donating his time to mentor future innovators.

Contact

📩 For media inquiries: media@kogan.com.au
🌐 www.kogan.com
📱 Twitter & Instagram: @ruslankogan