Seek's VC backs disability services venture Hireup in $40 million series A

Andrew Bassat’s Seek Investments has led a $40 million series A for online disability services platform, Hireup.

Hireup helps people with disabilities find, hire and manage their own support workers. The strategic backing by Seek Investments for a minority stake, along with support from existing shareholders, will help the six-year-old business scale nationally.

The Myer Foundation is among the philanthropists and impact investors who initially backed the profit-for-purpose venture

Co-founder and CEO Jordan O’Reilly said Hireup had already transformed tens of thousands of lives for the better, giving people with disability and their families choice and control over their supports.

“For too long, people with disability had little say in that process. With the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and the creation of platforms like Hireup, we are transforming the status quo,” he said.

“This capital will allow us to grow into new communities across Australia, hire more support workers, expand our central services team and invest in our product and technology to deliver even better outcomes for our existing and future clients.”

Inspired by family

O’Reilly and his sister Laura O’Reilly founded Hireup in 2015 was witnessing how existing system failed their younger brother Shane, who had cerebral palsy.

The company now helps more than 10,000 people with disability annually and is registered NDIS provider. The company is unusual in the sector for employing support workers rather than engaging them as independent contractors.

Seek co-founder Andrew Bassat praised Hireup as a “terrific” business.

“We are pleased that Seek Investments is going to be part of its exciting journey,” he said

“It is a company that originated from true lived experience and passion for the Australian disability sector. Our investment will enable it to reach more people, refine its technology and extend its services to people who need it most. Hireup’s future is bright. I am delighted we will be a part of it”

O’Reilly said the strategic partnership with Seek will be a real game-changer for Hireup and the Australian disability sector.

“As one of Australia’s leading and most respected technology investors, with decades of experience building Australia’s leading online job search and education companies, the team at Seek Investments have been on a journey we hope to emulate. Most importantly, they’re also deeply aligned to our purpose, they share our values and are equally committed to advancing the Australian disability sector over the long term. ”

“The investment we’re announcing today is a huge vote of confidence in our community – people with disabilities, their families, support workers and Australia’s wider disability sector. It means we can accelerate the achievement of our purpose, of advancing the disability sector and enabling the pursuit of a good life for everyone we support.”