Sidekicker, ANZ’s temporary and casual staffing platform that is creating better outcomes for businesses and workers, has secured $20 million in funding from SEEK investments. The funding will be used to accelerate further expansion across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) as more businesses turn to Sidekicker for staffing support. The funding will also be used toward platform upgrades, providing improved ways for businesses and workers to interact.
Currently, Sidekicker has more than 12,000 casual workers on the platform, supporting more than 5,000 businesses across Australia and New Zealand. With offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland and Wellington, it also hires 133 full-time staff.
What is the growth rate of Sidekicker?
Since its launch in 2013, Sidekicker has transformed the temporary staffing market, and has provided work opportunities to over 40,000 casual workers at over 5,000 firms across ANZ, including some of the most influential industry leaders, like Uber, AirBnB, Crown and AusPost.
Despite the impact of the pandemic on the labour market, Sidekicker’s annual gross revenue has continued to grow at over 70%. Following the end of Australia’s lockdown measures, Sidekicker has been experiencing significant demand from both new and existing customers, currently placing an average of 2,500 workers – known as Sidekicks – into jobs per week.
Over the past year, as worker shortages have increased competition to secure talent, Sidekicker has seen businesses increasingly offering its workers rates above the minimum wage. Particularly, the hospitality and healthcare sectors have increased their casual rates, rising between 15-25% and beyond 30% for certain roles compared to six months ago.
Sidekicker’s tech has disrupted an out-of-date recruitment model, innovating casual and temporary labour-hire to bring efficiencies, transparency, choice and control to both workers and businesses. The platform provides Sidekicks with an easy way to access casual work.
For businesses, Sidekicker’s two-way rating system drives accountability and reliability of staff, while its transparent platform provides businesses the ability to choose ideal workers.
What were the executives’ thoughts on the funding?
SEEK Investments CEO, Andrew Bassat, said, “SEEK Investments is pleased to be supporting Sidekicker in its next phase of growth. We strongly believe in Sidekicker’s strategy, innovative solution set, and are excited to support the team as Sidekicker continues its growth journey.”
Sidekicker CEO, Thomas Amos, who Co-Founded the firm with Jacqui Bull, said Sidekicker’s continued growth is due to businesses switching from traditional hiring and turning to platforms like Sidekicker. “We’re very pleased to have the backing of SEEK Investments.”
“This funding will allow us to invest in expanding our current categories across ANZ whilst delivering new capabilities to our platform that will benefit both our Sidekicks and customers.”
“Our growth is evidence that we are addressing demand for employees and workers, and this additional funding will continue to ensure we empower anyone choosing to participate in the casual and temporary employment market; whether they be uni students seeking flexible work around their studies, parents re-entering the workforce, or international Visa holders.”
