Meet Our Founders: Tracie Thompson of HackHunter
At Stone & Chalk, we’re privileged to work with some of the most visionary founders who are redefining the future.
Today we’re shining a spotlight on Tracie Thompson, Co-Founder and CEO of HackHunter.
Tracie has not only carved out a successful career in IT and cybersecurity but is also a driving force behind an innovative startup that locates WiFi threats with precision.
Her journey, insights, and experiences in the tech world offer invaluable lessons for aspiring founders.
From COO to CEO: The journey to HackHunter
Tracie Thompson’s career path was far from linear, but each step brought her closer to where she was meant to be.
Before founding HackHunter, Tracie was the Chief Operating Officer of a security consulting and software company that serviced clients like Medibank, Centrelink, and Allianz Insurance.
However, after selling the company in 2017, she and her husband (and now co-founder) Mike faced a crucial decision: What next?
The start of Hackhunter
While reflecting on their past experiences, they realised one persistent issue that most organisations faced—WiFi vulnerabilities.
“Most companies don’t even know what WiFi is in their environment, let alone how to track down potential threats,” says Tracie. With their combined expertise—Tracie’s in security and Mike’s in electronics and sensors—the idea for HackHunter was born.
With over 20 billion devices relying on bluetooth to communicate with the internet, the danger of someone intercepting or disrupting wireless communications is prevalent across the globe.
HackHunter addresses a critical need in cybersecurity, offering organisations a way to precisely locate WiFi threats, down to the centimetre.
For companies dealing with sensitive data, this kind of technology makes a world of difference.
Navigating the challenges of a cyber startup
Tracie calls the startup experience “challenging, inspirational, and limitless.”
The challenges have been numerous. From securing funding to navigating the complexities of hardware, software, and firmware integration, HackHunter has faced its share of roadblocks. Yet, it’s through these challenges that Tracie has grown the most.
“I’ve never been so challenged in my life,” she admits. “But I love learning how to do something completely new and then applying it in the context of HackHunter.”
That willingness to learn and push forward, despite obstacles, is at the heart of what makes Tracie a successful founder.
Her team also plays an essential role in keeping the company moving forward. “My co-workers are experts in their fields, and I’m constantly inspired by their creativity and problem-solving abilities,” she says.
The collaborative nature of HackHunter’s team culture fosters innovation—Tracie refers to it as a space where “limits don’t exist.”
The reality of startup life
Running a startup is far from predictable. “No two days are the same,” Tracie shares.
Whether she’s demoing HackHunter’s product to prospective clients, following up on sales leads, applying for grants, or meeting with investors, each day requires adaptability and focus.
She makes a conscious effort to start her mornings with a walk, setting the tone for what often turns into a whirlwind of activities. It’s that variety—coupled with the mission of HackHunter—that keeps her energised.
There’s a deep satisfaction in knowing that her work is solving real-world security problems for businesses and governments alike.
Breaking barriers for women in tech
Despite her success, Tracie is keenly aware of the underrepresentation of women in deep tech.
“I’m very used to being the only woman in the room,” she says, with a hint of frustration. “Surely, we are beyond that now!”
The lack of women in tech leadership, venture capital, and emerging technology sectors isn’t lost on her, and she feels it stems from long-standing societal structures that don’t encourage or support women in these fields from a young age.
“This has to change,” she asserts.
Her passion for fostering diversity in tech is evident, not only in how she runs HackHunter but also in her mentorship and advocacy for women in STEM.
Tracie emphasises the importance of support networks—whether from family, mentors, or peers—as key to weathering the inevitable challenges. “It’s really worthwhile to know that you are creating something new that will help the world in some way.”
Reflecting on her own journey, she wishes she had known earlier that building something like HackHunter was even an option. “It took me a long time to find what I now know I was meant to be doing,” she says.
Final thoughts
Tracie Thompson’s journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and the power of community.
Her company, HackHunter, is not just about innovative WiFi threat detection—it’s a reflection of her belief that technology, when combined with the right mindset, can change the world.
We’re proud to support founders like Tracie, who continue to inspire and lead by example.
At Stone & Chalk, we're not for everyone. We're not for the narrow-minded. The small thinkers. The usual. But we are for innovative companies like HackHunter, who are changing the world with their big idea. And we might be for you.
