Hospitality platform, Barcats, has secured $2.4 million in capital funding. The platform launched in 2017 to connect prospective staff members to the venues that need them and has processed more than 340,000 job applications in the last four years for venues across Australia and New Zealand.
In the last three years, candidate registration has increased five times over with 97,000 workers across 27,000 venues now using the platform.
The $2.4m capital raise will enable growth and expansion opportunities in Australia, New Zealand and further afield, despite the fact that COVID continues to disrupt the industry.
Entrepreneur Chris Morris, Founder of Computershare and owner of the Colonial Leisure Group, has extended his share in the start-up from 7.25 per cent to 12.9 per cent, along with new investors Garry Lord (co-founder of global Fintech OFX, formerly OzForex), David Zehner (Managing Partner at Bain Consulting) and private equity fund Investible.
Former CEO and current Chairman of Stuart Alexander & Co, Garry Browne AM is the newly appointed Chair.
Diageo, Vitasoy, ResDiary and Payo, have joined as new sponsors and the platform has partnered with various new training organisations including working directly with the Federal Government DESE (Department of Education, Skills and Employment) to upskill workers and secure employment outcomes.
“We are connecting staff to jobs at venues which are still hiring during the lockdowns, and encouraging staff to use the time in lockdown to update their profiles and skills so they are ready to work as soon as it ends,” says Barcats CEO Jeffrey Williams.
Mr Williams explains, “Barcats is also offering free online training via its partners and sponsors, and we are sharing content from RUOK to ensure the hospitality community is looking out for one another.”
Mr Williams says payments have been temporarily suspended for subscription customers in NSW and Victoria.
Foundation investor Lion continues to support the business. Rod O’Connell, Beverage Director at Lion said, “We are really pleased with how the investment is paying off. It’s rewarding to see the company grow and support the hospitality community.”
In unpredictable times, Barcats remains an integral asset for the hospitality industry to ensure Australians are connected with ongoing job opportunities, helping the economy to grow.
Mr Williams says, “The impact of the global pandemic and border closures has created an opportunity for us to really champion home-grown talent and encourage Australians to upskill and consider a career in the hospitality industry. For example, students, unable to go on gap years and travel abroad, can help fill the staffing void left by the international travellers.”
