Smart50-Awards-Careseekers
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Careseekers

REVENUE: $8.1 million
GROWTH: 238.5%
FOUNDER: Lauren Sandler Hockley (39), Marissa Sandler (44)
HEAD OFFICE: Sydney
YEAR FOUNDED: 2015
EMPLOYEES: 20
INDUSTRY: Healthcare and medical

How it started

Marissa Sandler was working as a lawyer specialising in disability rights while Lauren Sandler Hockley was working in social enterprises and startups when the duo came together to build Careseekers, a digital platform connecting independent aged care and disability support workers with families and individuals who need in-home care.

Growth

Careseekers almost doubled its revenue between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years, from $4.5 million to $8.1 million.

To keep pace with this growth, the business hired a number of ex-Qantas employees, who lost their jobs when flights were grounded during the pandemic.

Sandler Hockley told SmartCompany she was pleased her staff have been able to “effectively transfer the skills” they used to deliver exceptional service to customers to assist the aged care and disability support sector.

Where to next?

Careseekers is currently finalising a new product, Ryse, an end-to-end industry solution for participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which the founders plan to roll out next year.

In 2022, they hope to provide support workers to NDIS participants who have behavioural support plans with restrictive practices.

“It’s a complex area that can be challenging for the support workers,” Sandler Hockley said.