Howatson+Company named one of Australia’s top startups by LinkedIn ranking #3 on the 2025 list

LinkedIn has today unveiled its 2025 Top Startups Australia list, with Howatson+Company ~ current Campaign Brief Australian Agency of the Year ~ ranked at #3, making it the only advertising agency to earn a spot.

LinkedIn’s annual Top Startups list spotlights the young companies generating the most excitement and momentum. The rankings are powered by LinkedIn data and evaluate startups across four key pillars: employee growth, jobseeker interest, member engagement with the company and its people, and the ability to attract talent from LinkedIn’s Top Companies list. To be eligible, businesses must be independent, privately held, under five years old, have at least 30 full-time employees, and be headquartered in Australia.

Founded in 2021, Howatson+Company has grown rapidly to a full-time headcount of 185, offering creative, media, data and technology services to brands across diverse industries. The agency’s inclusion in the list reflects both its commercial momentum and its ability to attract and retain talent in a fiercely competitive market.

Says Renee Hyde, Group Managing Director, Howatson+Company: “It’s a real honour to be included in LinkedIn’s Top Startups list, for the third year running – and we’re especially delighted to be ranked #3 in this year’s list. At only 4 years old, it’s a credit to our wonderful team and clients who have backed us from the beginning – and is really only made possible by them. Huge congratulations to all the other Aussie startups who made the 2025 list too.”

Other companies on this year’s Top Startups list range from AI innovators building workflow automation agents to healthtech players helping doctors save time through voice transcription. But Howatson+Company stands apart as the sole advertising business recognised, underlining the growing impact of creativity and brand-building in Australia’s startup landscape.

The 2025 list marks the eighth year of LinkedIn’s Top Startups rankings, compiled by LinkedIn data scientist Alejandra Budar in partnership with editors on the LinkedIn News team.

Pictured (L-R): Gavin Chimes, CCO; Renee Hyde, Group Managing Director, Chris Howatson, Founder/CEO, Howatson+Company