Meet the next big start-up stars to come out of Townsville
Software to boost the profits of hospitality businesses and a networking platform for sports people are the next big ideas for trailblazing start-ups to come out of Townsville.
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Software to boost the profits of hospitality businesses and a networking platform for sports people are the next big ideas for trailblazing start-ups to come out of Townsville.
The innovations are those of two entrepreneurs who have graduated from the latest cohort of the Start-up Onramp Founders Course at Smart Precinct NQ.
Ivan Brewer is the founder of Peiso Profitability Software and Cassandra Cazzulino is the bright spark behind web-based sports platform ProShaka.
They are looking to repeat the amazing successes of technology sensation SafetyCulture, now a $2 billion business, and journey management juggernaut JESI which is scaling up with funding from Microsoft-aligned venture capital firm Future Now Capital Management.
Peiso is software that helps venues manage the two big expenses they can control — purchasing and labour — to maximise profitability.
Having worked in the industry for many years, Mr Brewer said he knew low profitability was a huge problem, leading to as many as three out of four hospitality workers being underpaid at some time, typically for things like overtime and superannuation.
“I think (improved) profitability is the way we can solve this,” Mr Brewer said.
He has the support rostering software richlister Ashik Ahmed, CEO of Deputy, and is undertaking final testing before a planned launch of subscription sales in July.
“It’s a new genre of software and there’s nothing like it. Users can define the amount of profit they want to make,” Mr Brewer said.
“It’s been a four-year journey. I had the idea 10 years ago but the technology and eco systems were not there to bring it to life.”
ProShaka is a platform for the sporting community to help up and coming athletes and others such as coaches connect and advance in their fields.
“It’s about highlighting our regional talent, our up and coming athletes across multiple sports categories. What we are trying to do is give power to the athletes to profile themselves so they can connect with the right communities,” Ms Cazzulino said.
Many were highlighting their skills on social media to the wrong audience, she said.
Smart Precinct NQ managing business and investment lead Dr Lydia Canovas said the start-up course gave entrepreneurs the skills and support they needed to succeed.
“These entrepreneurs have worked hard to set the foundations for their start-ups, and we look forward to continuing to support their growth, particularly those who aspire to reach a global market,” Dr Canovas said.
“Townsville has always had the talent and potential to grow global businesses, and now we have the resources to develop, support and keep them here which offers long-term benefits to the local economy.”
Applications are open for the start-up course starting in July. For more info visit www.spnq.org
Originally published as Meet the next big start-up stars to come out of Townsville
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