Michael Macolino InDaily 40 under 40 profile

From starting his own business at the age of 21 to managing the Crown Marina project during the Global Financial Crisis, Michael Macolino has never taken the easy road in the South Australian business scene.

Currently Associate Director of AgTech at accounting firm BDO, Macolino is advising and mentoring the next generation of AgTech startups as South Australia turns towards a more sustainable future.

He is also the Expert in Residence at Adelaide University’s Agtech Incubator, helping new entrepreneurs commercialise their AgTech startups and make the tough decisions required to be successful in a competitive market.

Macolino’s business journey started in 2005 when he launched car wash company Deluxe Detailing Solutions—one of only 10 businesses approved by SA Water to clean cars during a period of tight water restrictions.

After selling Deluxe in 2008, he moved on to become the General Manager of the $30-million Crown Marina project in North Haven, steering the large-scale development through the financial headwinds of the GFC to open in 2011.

Since this breakthrough, Macolino has pursued a range of innovative projects from cloud technology to ecommerce, maintaining a strong focus on using tech solutions to foster growth and efficiency.

He said his transition to becoming an AgTech advisor stems from his passion for solving the problem of food system sustainability.