Serial entrepreneur and businessman Larry Kestelman has followed his passion for people and business for over 30 years, building an impressive and diverse portfolio across numerous industries.
Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Larry is a proud migrant success story, becoming one of Australia’s most respected self-made businessmen and a regular inclusion on the AFR Rich List. One of his most well-known ventures was founding the telecommunications provider Dodo in 2001, which he successfully grew and sold in 2013.
Larry is the Executive Group Chairman of the LK Group, a family office that oversees close to 20 businesses spanning property, private equity, technology, sport, hospitality, and retail. A standout achievement is the six-star development Capitol Grand in South Yarra—the crown jewel of LK Property Group. Within Capitol Grand sits LK Hospitality’s two award-winning venues: Yugen Dining and Omnia Bistro & Bar, both of which earned two hats in 2023.
In 2015, Larry took ownership of the National Basketball League (NBL), which has since grown into a thriving sports entertainment product with 10 teams across Australia and New Zealand. Under his leadership, the league has consistently set new records in attendance, membership, viewership and fan growth.
Larry’s passion for business solutions is also reflected in the success of Acquire AI, an outsourced services provider employing more than 8,500 people across Australia, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic.
Queens Lane Capital (QLC) is the private equity arm of the LK Group, investing in established businesses with strong growth potential. Its first major investment was Petra Industries, which brings together premium building material brands including Signorino, Multiform, and Woodcut. In 2020, QLC acquired The PAS Group, preserving over 1,000 jobs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following year, it merged with Brand Collective, creating a powerhouse retail group operating 350 stores and housing global brands such as Canada Goose, Reebok, and Everlast.
In 2021, Daniel’s Donuts joined the QLC portfolio and, with their backing, rapidly expanded to over 50 locations across Victoria and New South Wales. The brand also partnered with 7-Eleven, making its most popular flavours available to consumers nationally. Most recently, QLC formed the Hypnos Group by acquiring leading sleep and bedding businesses, including Snooze, Future Sleep, and G&G Furniture, further strengthening its presence in the home and lifestyle sector.
Community contribution is a key priority for Larry. The LK Group, under the leadership of Anita Pahor, has developed a strong corporate social responsibility strategy—driven through the Larita Academy, an intensive training program for at-risk young people in Victoria. The program is designed to build self-belief, fuel entrepreneurial drive, promote pathways to employment, and help form positive connections.
Larry is a firm believer in the value of people and lifelong learning. Guided by the philosophy of accepting the fact “you don’t know what you don’t know,” he surrounds himself with strong leaders and specialists, cultivating a culture of excellence, recognition, and growth.
Living the adage - Life is good! LIG!
