Made in WA: Scaleup Personr Redefines Compliance Nationally
Fresh FundWA investment signals strong conviction in Personr’s mission as Tranche 2 reforms approach.
FundWA has doubled down on Perth-based AML compliance startup Personr, providing follow-on capital just months after backing its seed raise.
The investment cements Western Australia’s role as a driver of national financial technology innovation ahead of the Government’s Tranche 2 AML reforms.
Founded by Charlie Westerman and Nick Ahrens, Personr was born from Westerman’s personal experience with identity theft in 2019.
That setback has since evolved into one of Australia’s most comprehensive AML compliance platforms, already used by nearly 100 businesses across the country.
“Securing two raises in such a short timeframe demonstrates strong conviction in both our mission and execution,” said Co-Founder Nick Ahrens.
“It reflects the urgency of the compliance challenges we’re solving and the clear momentum Personr has built.”
Leading a New Era of Compliance
Personr enables businesses to:
Centralise and manage AML obligations
Access KYC data in 50+ countries
Conduct KYB checks across 200+ jurisdictions
Verify 12,000+ global ID documents
In 2025, it was recognised by Aventine Labs as the most comprehensive and innovative AML platform.
With Tranche 2 reforms set to bring 100,000 Australian businesses — including real estate agencies, law firms, and accountants — under AUSTRAC regulation by 2026, Personr is already helping companies prepare.
FundWA CEO Glenn Butcher said the mission aligns with a global shift toward automated compliance.
“In a world where regulations are getting tougher and the cost of human error is soaring, companies need smarter, faster ways to handle things like identity checks and fraud prevention,” he said.
“We see Personr as building essential digital infrastructure, helping businesses thrive in a complex world by turning a compliance headache into a competitive edge. It’s a powerful idea, and we’re excited to back it.”
Nick Ahrens said the Tranche 2 reforms also represent a major shift for Australian compliance, throwing thousands of businesses under AUSTRAC regulation.
“Personr is helping those businesses get ahead by simplifying compliance, making it faster, more cost-effective, and scalable,” he said.
A West Australian Success Story
Personr surged last year, growing its customer base fivefold and revenue twelvefold — proof of urgent demand for smarter compliance and the strength of WA innovation.
FundWA general partner Pia Turcinov said WA has long led in high-stakes industries like mining and defence, where risk and security are critical. Personr brings that same disciplined, security-first approach to the digital world.
“By building a world-class RegTech business out of Western Australia, Personr is showing that WA's unique expertise in critical infrastructure can be translated into cutting-edge software for a global market. It's proof that our local talent can solve global problems, solidifying WA's reputation as a hub for leading innovation and integrity,” Ms Turcinov said.
Personr Co-Founder Charlie Westerman said the quick follow-on support proves the team is delivering results and winning belief in its mission.
“We’re entering a period of hypergrowth, driven by urgent regulatory changes and a clear need for smarter compliance infrastructure,” Mr Westerman said.
“Personr is not just keeping pace with regulation, we’re an example of how a WA-based scaleup is redefining compliance nationally.”
Why Personr’s story matters
Rapid growth: Nearly fivefold customer growth in the past year.
Regulatory timing: Positioned to help 100,000 businesses meet upcoming Tranche 2 AML reforms in 2026.
Investor confidence: Follow-on funding secured only months after its seed round.
Local innovation: A West Australian company setting national benchmarks in RegTech and compliance.
