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Nicholas Rudder

Nicholas Rudder

Founder & CEO at Sphere, an AI-powered tax compliance platform

San Francisco, California
Sydney, Australia
Joined June 2025

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19.9K connections
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Macquarie Group Network
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Startup Founders Leaders
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Tax Legal Professionals
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Venture Capital Investors
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Finance Operations Leaders
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M&A Strategy
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Sphere Team Alumni

Summary

Nicholas Rudder is a serial entrepreneur with a strong background in finance and technology, notably as the Founder and CEO of Sphere. Initially an edtech marketplace called ScholarSite, Sphere successfully pivoted to become an AI-powered cross-border tax compliance platform. His journey highlights adaptability and a keen eye for market gaps, turning personal frustrations with international tax compliance into a funded solution. getsphere+3
With experience at Macquarie Group and PwC, Nicholas possesses a solid foundation in investment banking and technology consulting. This financial acumen, combined with his entrepreneurial drive, allowed him to identify and address complex problems in the global compliance landscape, particularly with Sphere's AI-native tax engine (TRAM) and its integration with numerous tax authorities. poetsandquants+1
Nicholas's educational background is diverse, spanning multiple countries and institutions, including the University of Sydney, London Business School, and an exchange semester at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, culminating with the Y Combinator W22 batch. This global exposure and top-tier business education likely fostered his adaptable mindset and equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate the international startup ecosystem. poetsandquants+1
Prior to Sphere, Nicholas co-founded Pledger, a social technology enterprise aimed at enhancing charitable giving in Australia. This early venture demonstrates his interest in leveraging technology for societal impact, a theme he expressed during his MBA, stating his intention to build something that drives shared value between business and society, rather than just cashing in on trends. poetsandquants+1

Work

Education

Notes

DCDan Coughlansaid
NRNicholas Rudder
is one of the most impressive founders they've seen working on vertical AI agent systems.

Dec 16, 2025