10 trends from the 2012 StartupSmart Top 50

With this year’s StartupSmart Awards done and dusted, we thought we’d take a look at some of the major trends to emerge from the Top 50. Encouragingly, the list offers up a diverse range.

From social enterprise and start-up services to eco-friendly nappies, the businesses on this year’s list are either tapping into new markets or discovering newfound niches in existing markets.

StartupSmart identifies the top 10 trends to emerge out of the 2012 StartupSmart Top 50.

1. Niche recruitment

In second spot on this year’s list is SCO Recruitment, a temporary and permanent service provider specialising in industrial, commercial and local government recruitment.

“We supply to the majority of local councils in NSW,” SCO recruitment founder Larissa Robertson says.

“This has provided us with a strong and stable customer base that has helped us grow even during the most difficult financial circumstances.”

Other niche recruitment companies include Mars Partnership, Aspect Personnel, Pearl Recruitment Group and hranywhere, which prides itself on its “uncomplicated” approach.

“The niche was a one-stop-shop where all HR people management matters could be handled in one place,” hranywhere founder Martin Nally says.

2. Social enterprise

Coming in at number 17 is Spectrum Community Focus, a not-for-profit that aims to alleviate poverty by providing employment and training opportunities for socially disadvantaged, long-term unemployed and indigenous Australians.

SCF operates property services business Trim and Proper Property Services, which currently provides more than 400 Housing NSW residences with a range of property maintenance services.

Spectrum Community Focus isn’t the only business on the list with a social conscience. Living Fundraisers, which makes the list at number 44, aims to combat childhood obesity.

Keen to come up with an alternative to the unhealthy foods featured in school fundraisers, founders Rachel Taylor and Rebeka Jageurs introduced kits for growing herbs and vegetables.

They launched the business in 2009 and have grown to six product lines, helping more than 700 schools and groups across Australia raise almost $1 million to support their communities.

3. Homeward bound

As interest rates take their toll on homeowners, more and more people are choosing to stay put, investing in their current property rather than moving house.

For this reason, home-related businesses are booming, including CJTL Investments, founded by Chris and Joscelyn Edmonds, who own Ezy Online Bathrooms and Kitchens.

“There was a definite gap in the market for a retailer that was able to supply competitively priced, designer bath and kitchen products to regional and remote areas,” Joscelyn says.

Another home-related business worth noting is Sexyfloors Australia, which provides a unique product that is environmentally-friendly, non-toxic and meets all Australian standards.

“We developed a unique formula of epoxy resin… With so much work on, we have to franchise around Australia to keep up with the demand,” co-founder Robyn Cooper says.

4. Do-it-yourself

There are several businesses on the list with a DIY component, including You Pack Removals, a self-pack interstate container removals and transport company.

“There was a need for a non-conventional removalist… The self-pack option allows the customer to be in control of their goods and the moving process,” co-founder Stuart Berens says.

Joining You Pack Removals in the DIY section is My Cube, which is designed to empower first-time retailers by offering them a retail “cube” inside a shopping centre.

“All these cubes are mini shop fronts for entrepreneurs who rent cube space under contract as a platform to start their first retail business,” founder Stanley Hsu says.

“My Cube has the makings of a low-cost setup, very simple retail operation, ideal for the owner-operator.”

5. Green gauges

Responding to the trend of going green – evident among companies as well as consumers – there are services that make their money by helping businesses test and ascertain their greenness.

GreenBizCheck is one such example, making the list at number 31. GreenBizCheck is a technology-based environmental certification program for business.

“GreenBizCheck is all about helping businesses become more sustainable while also creating significant cost-saving opportunities,” co-founder Hall says.

Pangolin Associates is another example of the green business movement, and takes the phrase ‘practice what you preach’ very seriously.

“As we advise clients to reduce their carbon footprint in a three-step process, we apply the same steps to Pangolin Associates,” says co-founder Matthew Curnow.