COVID-19 IMPACT on wa startups
Updates from the ecosystem + how you can help
We’ve asked WA startups how COVID-19 has impacted them, any opportunities it has created for them, any asks they may have from the community, and any way they can help other WA startups. Some of the below updates are also sourced from the press, including our partners at startupnews.
We are adding to this list on an ongoing basis. To submit updates please email info@startupwa.org with the following information:
How has Covid-19 impacted you (eg minimal/significant impact, revenue up/down, pivot of business, created opportunity for new product/market, etc).
What’s your ask (how can the community help, eg a link to buy your product, help with hard-to-find talent, link to a crowdfunding campaign, etc).
What can you offer other local startups.
Any other update you care to share, whether Covid19 related or not (eg recent milestones, wins, etc).
Spacecubed’s Plus Eight accelerator program has announced the latest cohort of 15 startups: Ads on Wheels, Akora, BuyerUp, DiGii Social, Grow Impact, Hipflask, KIXXFIT, Markr Systems, Matter, My Visual Brief, Quax, Remedium, The Difference, The Ladies’ Project and Unleashed. Isabelle Goldfarb (Spacecubed’s Program Impact Manager): “We have shifted everything to an online delivery. The cohort is still getting the full value of their mentoring, networking, masterclasses and amazing speakers, just via Zoom. Also the trips will become workshops and virtual experiences to keep the connection with Asia and Silicon Valley.”
APE Mobile was recently acquired by Damstra Technology (ASX: DTC).
Alicdion (ASX: ALC) has designed a COVID-19 assessment tool in its early warning software Patientrack to help hospitals identify potential cases sooner.
Bard1 Life Sciences (ASX: BD1) announced a $23.7m merger with Sienna Cancer Diagnostics (ASX: SDX) to form an Australian-based cancer diagnostics company.
BuildSort has adapted quickly to the changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and transitioned all their face-to-face meetings to collaborative online sessions. They announced a collaboration with the East Rockingham Waste to Energy Project.
Bunsters e-commerce sales booming - albeit with delays in delivery times, social media booming, especially our community groups with people sharing pics of their food while cooped up inside (requests to join group up 300%+), government initiatives have really helped, you can help us by ordering here: www.bunstersworldwide.com.
EpiChem is making chemistry-grade hand sanitiser to protect their employees and their respective families, and donating supplies to healthcare and aged care providers.
Essemy is offering free one-hour virtual consultations to discuss challenges and solutions during the current health crisis.
Fastvue is providing six months free for all schools, and three months free for all other organisations. Fastvue also released 8 Tips for IT Security Teams for Remote Working. Fastvue has also added VPN dashboards and reports to its internet usage reporting software to help many overstretched IT teams report on VPN connections back to the company HQ from work from home employees. They're currently rolling these features out to organisations running SonicWall, Sophos XG, FortiGate and Palo Alto firewalls.
Frigbot founder Darren Dwyer: “I invested heavily to build the company and even took out a bank loan of $300,000 to take it to the next level. I have raised almost $1million in investment and I can tell you it’s extremely hard to raise capital. Now it’s near impossible.”
Genesis Consulting Services just moved from New Zealand to Perth to establish their Innovation and Design Thinking consulting business, offering a tool to consulting firms.
HealthCheck is a simple to use app to track that your people are feeling good, healthy and protected at all times that can proactively highlight risk and hotspots and keeping your business running and your people safe plus giving you a pulse on your people’s health and well-being.
HealthEngine has launched Covid-19 telehealth phone/video consultations with its network of trusted practices and providers across Australia. This allows people to easily find and book a phone or video consultation, also known as telehealth, via HealthEngine and access the healthcare they need remotely from home.
Home Hub has partnered with the City of Perth, with a service aimed at making better use of over 500 empty rental homes in the City, as a means to alleviate housing stress and homelessness.
Humm has experienced significant delays to manufacturing and sales plans due to COVID-19. The fall 2020 launch for those who pre-ordered has been pushed out to early spring 2021. This also means, for those who have not pre-ordered, humm will not be available for purchase until late 2021.
KeepSpace has found its e-commerce packaging services in demand as government restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 cause retail stores and hospitality venues to close.
Morning Startup is taking its meetups online via Zoom, and have added a session this Wednesday morning on to help explain to startups what the government's COVID-19 stimulus package means to them.
Ninja Software have launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to launch Flubar, a wall-mounted device using thermal camera technology to detect body temperature and help stop the spread of influenza. The device is available for pre-order now at www.flubar.io/get.
Noisy Guts is recruiting a machine learning specialist - contact mary@noisyguts.net for a job description.
Nuheara will temporarily stand down employees in non-essential roles, while its senior executives have accepted reduced remuneration.
Perth Video is offering 50% discount on video services including live-streaming.
PetRescue has seen a 95% rise n website visits over the past seven weeks - that’s over 1.1 million visits to their website, and 25.3 million-page views of potential new furry friends.
Power Ledger has signed a three-year deal to install its platform across 10 residential developments to be built by Nicheliving in the Perth metropolitan region.
Sealz has been experiencing significant delays to its manufacturing plans, and is now exploring 3D printing alternatives.
Self-isolate is a free app that’s targeted at people diagnosed with Coronavirus, or those that have been in close contact with someone who has and are required to self-isolate. The app was created by Apps People CEO Stuart Kidd and Australian Tenders CEO Rob Nathan, with investment from the Upstart Accelerator Fund.
Soter Analytics has added a social distancing solution within their wearable technology solution to enable operations to open with an effective control to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Spacecubed has experienced a large drop in memberships and has refocused on the programs side of the business (Plus Eight, SheCodes). They have launched #AdaptDontStop, an initiative to promote people and organisations changing how they deliver value to their customers and stakeholders during the continued impact of COVID-19. You can support this campaign by mentoring, being mentored and/or sponsoring workshops places. Spacecubed is also happy to partner with other programs active in helping businesses to adapt/pivot. SheCodes now has international attendees following its transition online, an encouraging sign highlighting the program’s longer-term potential.
Spectur has reduced non-operational costs to protect cash, but sees the uncertain environment emphasising security and remote-sensing market.
SPINIFEX Brewing Co and Limestone Coast Brewing have launched SPINIFEX PROTECT Hand Sanitiser as a response to provide front line protection against the spread of the Corona virus. SPINIFEX PROTECT air dries in seconds and requires no water.
Takeaway Time has launched as a service to support local restaurants struggling under COVID-19, allowing customers to place take away orders.
Tap into Safety has adapted to COVID-19 conditions by providing comprehensive online mental health training to teach coping strategies and encourage help-seeking to those working remotely. There are ten dedicated modules available, available at only $10 per course.
Techboard has been impacted both positively and negatively. Sold a government subscription due to budget being freed up with the cancellation of many events, on the other hand corporate partnering revenue has taken a hit with the loss of our major corporate partner. Several potential sales in the pipeline likely will be delayed. Working with the Innovation Ecosystem Council on submissions to the federal government for help to reduce the impact of the shrinking of the investment pool. Startups can help by reporting funding events here, and also report if COVID19 has impacted on your capital raise, to help enrich Techboard’s reports and commentary (companies will only be named with authorisation). Techboard’s offer: “We are happy to provide free Investment Comparison Reports compiled from our funding data to local WA startups. This can help you identify similar capital raises to yours and perhaps help to identify potential investors. Get in touch at funding@techboard.com.au.”
Touchgram helps you send a different kind of message to friends and family in lockdown. You can take your time to craft an interactive message that reacts to touch. Send an experience, not just something to stare at. Founder Andy Dent: “I’m utterly flat out trying to get features added to make the product more usable for people as fast as I can - it's been an added pressure (and welcome distraction”.
uDrew has had to delay (due to Covid-19) its world first in the building industry, an international collaboration between WA and New Zealand. But CEO Tom Young is positive they will sign this when on the other side. uDrew is conducting its open beta next month, and would love to get feedback from everyone – no matter what your experience is with the building industry and technology.
Urbotanica has successfully completed its Kickstarter campaign, raising $100k from 457 backers. Experiencing some delays in the production process.
Whipper Snapper Distillery has teamed up with Ferngrove Wine Group and LabWest to produce medical-grade hand sanitiser.