Ben Roberts-Smith Launches Workout Supplement Business
The former soldier started the venture alongside Sarah Matulin as he faces ongoing criminal proceedings.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Ben Roberts-Smith and Sarah Matulin have launched a new workout supplements business in Australia. The founders initiated the venture to secure financial stability while navigating intense media and legal scrutiny.
Why it matters
The business move offers the pair a way to maintain employment stability outside of traditional sectors. This professional pivot follows a high-profile period of legal challenges for Mr. Roberts-Smith, including a lost defamation suit against Nine Newspapers.
Mr. Roberts-Smith currently faces 5 counts of war crime murder related to events between 2009 and 2012. Legal proceedings are ongoing, with suppression order hearings scheduled to last 3 days in 2027.
The players
Ben Roberts-Smith
A former soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross who is currently facing charges for alleged war crimes.
Sarah Matulin
The co-founder of the new workout supplements business who is partnering with Mr. Roberts-Smith.
Nine Newspapers
A major Australian media organisation that was the defendant in a defamation suit brought by Mr. Roberts-Smith.
The details
The decision to enter the supplement industry comes after the founders weighed the possibility of relocating overseas to escape public pressure. The business serves as a deliberate strategy to establish independent income during a multi-year legal battle.
Timeline
2009-2012: Period of alleged unlawful killings in Afghanistan.
18 October 2026: Launch of workout supplements business.
December 2026: Next scheduled court appearance.
August 2027: Suppression order hearings.
Market Landscape
The launch follows the high-profile Federal Court defamation suit against Nine Newspapers which significantly impacted the professional standing of Mr. Roberts-Smith. This pivot suggests a strategy to bypass traditional corporate employment barriers.
Consumers interested in the new brand may encounter the business via online retail channels as the founders aim for financial independence. The ongoing legal status of the founders remains a significant factor for those evaluating the brand's origins.
The takeaway
The founders have chosen to develop their own commercial entity rather than seek external employment to mitigate the impact of public media scrutiny. Entrepreneurs in similar high-pressure situations often seek to build independent businesses to maintain long-term financial viability.
What happens next
A court appearance is scheduled for December 2026, followed by suppression order hearings in August 2027.
Further reading
For more news on new enterprises, visit the Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News.
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