Anushka Bandara and Shane Perera began their entrepreneurial journey with little more than their education and an unshakeable belief that they could create something meaningful. The early days weren’t glamorous. Whilst other graduates were settling into corporate roles, Anushka and Shane were learning the hard way that entrepreneurship is equal parts vision and grit.
They started small- building websites for local tradies, taking on every project that came their way. But they understood something crucial: every line of code was a lesson, every client interaction was education in disguise.
A Sustainable Approach to Growth
What transformed Elegant Media from a emerging startup into an award-winning mobile app development company wasn’t just technical skill, it was an ethical and responsible approach to growth. Over fifteen years, they cultivated something rare in the fast-moving tech world: a culture of continuous learning that permeated every level of their organisation.
Today, with offices in Melbourne, Auckland, Colombo, and San Francisco, Elegant Media represents more than business success. Their team doesn’t just deliver cutting-edge mobile solutions; they embody the principle that learning never stops. This commitment to growth ensures that every team member has structured opportunities to expand their capabilities.
The Mirror of Success
Success has a way of changing perspective. As Elegant Media’s reputation grew and accolades accumulated, Anushka and Shane found themselves confronting an uncomfortable truth. The educational foundation that had launched their dreams remained out of reach for countless young Australians.
The statistics were sobering: 1.2 million young people in Australia face educational barriers because of poverty. Behind each number was a story of unrealised potential, of bright minds dimmed by circumstances beyond their control. For Anushka and Shane, who had experienced firsthand how education could transform lives, this wasn’t just a social issue – it was a personal calling.
Purpose Meets Partnership
The search for the right charitable partner wasn’t taken lightly. Anushka and Shane needed an organisation that shared their core conviction: education isn’t merely about transferring knowledge – it’s about unlocking human potential and creating pathways to futures that might otherwise remain closed.
The Smith Family emerged as the perfect alignment of values and impact. This independent children’s charity doesn’t just provide temporary assistance; they deliver long-term support through programmes designed to help disadvantaged Australian children overcome educational barriers. Their Learning for Life programme represented exactly the kind of systematic, sustainable change that Anushka and Shane and Elegant Media wanted to champion.
We had big dreams and the support to chase them and now we’re in a position to help ensure other kids have that same chance. It’s not just about giving back – it’s about paying it forward so another young person can access the education that could change their life.
Anushka Bandara, CEO and Co-Founder of Elegant Media
This philosophy drives Elegant Media’s monthly commitment to The Smith Family’s Learning for Life programme, representing a fundamental belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to discover and develop their potential.
The Ripple Effect of Giving
What makes this partnership particularly powerful is its alignment with Elegant Media’s core identity. Just as they invest in their team’s continuous learning and development, they’re investing in the educational journey of young Australians who need it most. It’s a natural extension of the values that built their company – one that creates a ripple effect extending far beyond reports or reviews.
Each donation represents more than financial support; it’s an investment in tomorrow’s leaders. It’s the recognition that the next breakthrough in technology, the next solution to a global challenge, or the next inspiring success story might come from a young person who just needed someone to believe in their potential.
The True Measure of Lifelong Learning Success
Elegant Media has proven that commercial excellence and social impact aren’t competing priorities -they’re complementary forces that can amplify each other.
Their story serves as a powerful reminder that sustainable success isn’t just about what you build for yourself, but about the foundations you help others build for their futures. In supporting educational access and opportunity, Elegant Media isn’t just changing individual lives, they’re contributing to a more equitable society.
Most importantly, it demonstrates that the most elegant solutions are often the simplest ones: investing in people, believing in their potential, and never forgetting the power of education to change everything.
To learn more about The Smith Family’s Learning for Life Programme – Click Here
Elegant Media supports The Smith Family Learning for Life programme through monthly donations.
