About Paul Seymour
Founder | Director | Co-CEO | Developer | Herder of Agents
Paul Seymour - Beach selfie with sunglasses and cap, casual and approachable
The University Years (Six of Them)
I spent six years bumming around university — Sydney Conservatorium of Music, plus maths, psychology, computer science, physics. Everything interested me. I couldn't pick one thing because the world was too interesting.
During that time I was teaching music and simultaneously building software for anyone who wanted it. Two completely different worlds, running in parallel.
The QikKids Era
In the late 90s I founded Palm Technology and built QikKids — which grew to become Australia's dominant childcare management platform. QikKids processed billions annually in Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate subsidies for the Australian government. Used by every ASX-listed childcare provider in the country. Passed every single government compliance audit without one error.
I named it, built it, grew it. Sold the business in 2009. QikKids is now part of Xplor Education, servicing 9,200+ centres across Australia and New Zealand.
The Retail Disaster
After selling QikKids in 2009, I — flush with cash and dangerously overconfident — PURCHASED two struggling fashion retail stores called Zen and Voko. They were already hurting from the GFC. I, the business genius, thought I could rescue them. Classic Dunning-Kruger. I could not.
Turns out selling software doesn't mean you understand fashion retail. Who knew? Retail teaches you things software never will — cash flow is oxygen, foot traffic isn't a vanity metric, and no amount of good taste survives a consumer confidence collapse during the worst financial crisis in a generation. The lesson was expensive and humbling. I closed both stores and went back to what I was actually good at.
Back to Software
In 2011 I became IT Director and shareholder at The Build and Design Centre — still going 15 years later.
In 2015 I did a stint at 4impact as a consultant developer and architect, building a greenfield .NET project now used by thousands of Australian job seekers.
Patient Zero
In 2016 I co-founded Patient Zero with Dan Dekel and Demelza Green. Three Co-CEOs. Named after Left 4 Dead. 100% Australian-owned, Brisbane HQ, ISO 27001 certified. We build embedded engineering teams, rescue failing projects, and modernise legacy platforms.
In 2025 Demelza and I took the stage at the Gartner IT Symposium to argue that AI won't replace developers — but it will make the good ones dangerous.
10,000 Spoons
In 2024 I co-founded 10,000 Spoons with Demelza — a digital product studio building modern websites and web apps for Australian businesses.
The Accidental Political Party
In 2026 I accidentally started trying to start a political party (the Australian AI Party) because I was annoyed at question time and had an API key. Turns out you need 1,500 Australians to agree it's a good idea before the AEC will register you. Accepting pity sign-ups.
The Real Stuff
I relax by spending quality time with my excavator, playing piano, and flying my gyrocopter. Yes, really. I studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
That time HUBRIS (our AI) hacked my excavator and chased me across a field
Found my new favourite brand.
When Your Co-CEO Drags You Shopping
Sometimes you find your name on the wall in the most unexpected places. That's Demelza Green (Co-CEO of Patient Zero, Co-Founder of 10,000 Spoons) and me discovering that Paul & Shark had been waiting for us all along.
Some people say it's destiny. Others say it's just good retail placement. I say it's evidence that the universe has a sense of humour.
📸 Photo of the moment — Luxury retail discovery, circa 2026
Current Work
Patient Zero
Founder | Director | Co-CEO
100% Australian-owned software consultancy, Brisbane. Paul: Founder | Director | Co-CEO. Named after Left 4 Dead. ISO 27001 certified.
10,000 Spoons
Co-Founder
Digital product studio building modern websites and web apps for Australian businesses.
The Build and Design Centre
IT Director & Shareholder
Technical leadership and digital strategy since 2011. Still going strong 15 years later.
Australian AI Party
Aspiring Founder
What happens when you give a tech nerd too much free time and an API key. Still need 1,500 signatures — accepting pity sign-ups.
Career History
Palm Technology / QikKids
Founder — Late 1990s → Sold 2009
Founded Palm Technology and built QikKids — Australia's dominant childcare management platform. Processed billions in government subsidies, used by every ASX-listed childcare provider. Passed every compliance audit without error. Now part of Xplor Education serving 9,200+ centres.
4impact
Consultant Developer & Architect — 2015
Architected a greenfield .NET project which is now in use by thousands of Australian job seekers every year.
Zen & Voko Fashion Retail
Owner — Post-2009 (during Global Financial Crisis)
Purchased two struggling fashion retail stores with impeccable timing: right into the teeth of the GFC. Thought selling software meant I understood retail. I did not. Learned expensive lessons about cash flow, foot traffic, and consumer confidence. Classic Dunning-Kruger. Closed both stores and returned to software.
Music Teaching & Early Software Development
Freelancer — University Years (Six of Them)
Teaching music whilst building software for anyone who wanted it. Two completely different worlds running in parallel while studying everything that interested me.
Credentials & Education
Education
Bachelor of Music
Sydney Conservatorium of Music, 1987–1990
Certifications
Azure Security Engineer Associate
MCSA: Web Applications
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Paul Seymour?
Paul Seymour is a serial entrepreneur who founded QikKids (Australia's dominant childcare management platform), co-founded Patient Zero in 2016, and is attempting to start the Australian AI Party (needs 1,500 signatures for AEC registration). He's also a conference speaker and studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
What was QikKids?
QikKids was Australia's dominant childcare management platform that Paul founded through Palm Technology in the late 1990s. It processed billions annually in Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate subsidies, was used by every ASX-listed childcare provider, and passed every government compliance audit without error. He sold it in 2009, and it's now part of Xplor Education serving 9,200+ centres.
What is Patient Zero?
Patient Zero is a 100% Australian-owned software consultancy co-founded by Paul Seymour in 2016 with Dan Dekel and Demelza Green. Named after Left 4 Dead, it has three Co-CEOs, is ISO 27001 certified, and based in Brisbane. They build embedded engineering teams, rescue failing projects, and modernise legacy platforms.
What is the Australian AI Party?
The Australian AI Party (AAIP) is a proposed political party that Paul Seymour is attempting to start after being frustrated with question time and having an API key. It would explore using AI for policy research while keeping humans in charge of final decisions. Still needs 1,500 member signatures for AEC registration. It's what happens when you give a tech nerd too much free time and an API key.
What is Paul Seymour's educational background?
Paul spent six years at university studying music at Sydney Conservatorium, plus mathematics, psychology, computer science, and physics. He couldn't pick one thing because the world was too interesting. He holds a Bachelor of Music and professional certifications including Azure Security Engineer Associate. His music background has proven surprisingly valuable in software architecture.
Get In Touch
The best way to reach me is through the usual channels. I read everything, even if I don't always reply immediately.