Small Business

Immersia has been developing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) products and services since 2014, particularly in the safety training, mining and property development sectors, as well as for concerts and marketing.

Stressed corporate types are among the growing clientele driving the success of Perth-based Nick Dunin’s floatation therapy business.

MiPlan has been named Techboard’s highest trending startup in January, after the WA-based mine production management solutions company announced its acquisition by US-based Hexagon Mining for an undisclosed amount, as reported by Business News.

Prestige Perth-founded wristwatch brand Haigh & Hastings is on the market, with company administrator Bob Jacobs moving quickly to sell the business as a going concern.

ImpRes People is a cloud-based platform that connects businesses with operational and project talent.

A Perth team hoping to break a land speed world record has turned to crowdfunding to raise $50,000 to avoid a potential liquidation caused by a fight with the Australian Taxation Office, and is 20 per cent of the way to its target.

Burswood-based company Western Work Force is set to emerge from administration in highly unusual circumstances, with its largest creditor opposed to its recapitalisation, its founder and major shareholder in police custody, but its core business continuing to grow.

Cribber Communication provides construction and mining work sites with their own mobile newsfeed.

Fastbrick Robotics was Techboard’s highest ranking company for December, after the recently ASX-listed robotic bricklayer won the Mitsubishi Corporation WA Innovator of the Year award, and also completed an $8 million capital raising from Hunter Hall Investment Management.

The state government’s co-working hub Spur has announced nine local startup companies which will share in $91,000 of grants to help develop their products.

Fremantle-based renewable energy company Carnegie Wave Energy has been named Techboard’s highest trending company for 2016.

Now in its sixth year, the annual OzApp Awards concluded last night announcing the 2016 winner as Townsville-based Safety Culture, selected from five grand finalists which included Perth-based Formalytics, Melbourne’s Law Advisor and Reword, and Shippit (Sydney). 

Hand crafted and high tech are terms that rarely go together, yet a small Perth company is reinventing bicycle manufacturing with both those concepts at its heart.

MyLeadPod is a fully automated digital platform that allows businesses to establish their own customer reward program in order to encourage referrals.

Seventeen Perth-based startup organisations have been selected to participate in the KPMG Energise and OzAPP Awards accelerator programs to help grow their businesses.

Colin Barnett says he would like to see penalty rates cut for casual small business employees on Sundays and public holidays, but lift the base rate for standard hours.

The state government has allocated $2 million for a new co-working space in Karratha to promote small business and startups in the area.

Saybubble has been named Techboard’s highest trending company for this fortnight, following strong international news coverage and social media engagement.

Three local businesses have been inducted into Family Business Australia’s hall of fame, including an electrical contractor established in 1920, a fertiliser supplier and an engineering business that recently listed on the ASX. 

The recently appointed Australian small business and family enterprise ombudsman has launched an inquiry into the payment practices of big businesses and governments across Australia.

Fastbrick Robotics has topped Techboard’s startup and tech company ranking this fortnight, following its win at the 2016 WA Innovator of the Year awards.

A couple of Perth micro businesses offer up some entertainment options for summer.

An industry representative body wants the state government to make it easier for small businesses to tender for contracts.

Feedmee is a food discovery app, the ‘Tinder for food’. Users swipe through photos of food until they find what they want.

Australian consumers are increasingly spending their money with big businesses rather than supporting local stores, despite professing their affection for small business, a new survey has found.

Carnegie Wave Energy has topped Techboard’s startup ranking this fortnight, following the announcement of its acquisition of fellow cleantech Energy Made Clean (ranked second) for $13 million earlier this week.

Perth-founded natural paint manufacturer Bauwerk Colour is expanding its international operations with construction of a new factory in its biggest market, Saudi Arabia.

The Uber of home cooked food, Mondoz is a platform that connects people to homemade cuisine.

A movement backed by several small business groups has renewed a campaign to encourage shoppers to lift their support for local retailers. 

Local fintech CrowdfundUP tops this fortnight's Techboard ranking, having closed a $2.1 million capital raising led by Sydney-based Positive Investment Enterprise.

Two well-known Leederville cycling businesses have hit differing problems this week, with retailer Riders Choice going into voluntary administration and accessory manufacturer Cycliq facing a regulatory speed bump on its path to an ASX listing.

Pool and spa maintenance franchise Poolwerx Corporation has taken home two top accolades at the Franchise Council of Australia’s Excellence in Franchising Awards.