Koala co-founder

Mitch Taylor's role at Koala

He co-founded Koala with Dany Milham in November 2015 and sold shares in the 2026 float.

Mitch Taylor co-founded Koala in November 2015 with Dany Milham. The two knew each other before the company. Taylor had coached Milham in under-14s rugby. They worked out the Koala idea while surfing near Yamba.

The idea was simple. Compress a foam mattress, put it in a box and sell it online. At the time, buying a mattress usually meant a trip to a showroom. In 2016 the company turned over more than A$1 million in under three months, helped by early backing from cricket captain Steve Smith.

Koala launched in Japan in 2017 and later added sofas and other furniture. Milham stepped away in 2019 and returned as chief executive in 2024. In 2020 some manufacturing moved to China, and a planned 2022 IPO was abandoned.

On 31 March 2026 Koala joined the ASX at A$3.40 a share. The float raised A$68.1 million, with A$20 million of new capital and the rest from existing holders selling down. Taylor sold about A$8.3 million of shares.

Read the full Koala founder story

How did Mitch Taylor start Koala?

Mitch Taylor co-founded Koala with Dany Milham in November 2015. Taylor had once coached Milham in under-14s rugby. The two worked out the idea while surfing near Yamba, New South Wales.

What is Mitch Taylor's role at Koala?

Taylor is a co-founder of Koala, the direct-to-consumer mattress and furniture brand. Milham was the co-founder and chief executive. Koala turned over more than A$1 million in under three months in 2016.

Did Mitch Taylor sell shares in the Koala float?

Koala joined the ASX on 31 March 2026 at A$3.40 a share. The float raised A$68.1 million, of which A$20 million was new capital. Taylor sold about A$8.3 million of shares in the offer.