Workplace wellbeing and safety app raises another $40 million

An eight-year-old workplace safety and wellbeing app founded by three former public servants and used by McDonald’s has raised another $40 million.

Sydney scaleup Sonder pitches itself as an EAP alternative that makes it easier for staff to get help.

The latest funding came from existing investors Blackbird, MA Growth Ventures. and Seek, with super fund Hostplus also chipping in.

 Sonder previously raised $35 million in a Series B in mid 2022, then topped it up in January last year with an additional $16 million.

It also raised $16 million in June 2021 in a round led by existing shareholder Perennial, supported by Tidal Ventures and former LinkedIn MD Cliff Rosenberg.

The cap table also includes Saniel Ventures, W23, the VC arm of Woolworths,  and SecondQuarter, as well as angel investor Scott Bailey.

The app’s customers include Woolworths, PwC, the University of Sydney, Toll Group, NRMA, and NSW Government. The platform now has more than 1 million users.

It has a touch of Life360 about it,  enabling people to digitally track staff journeys, alongside mental health and medical support with the ability to chat with medically trained specialists and receive notifications for safety related events in their area.

Over 90% of employees seeking mental health support are using chat as their preferred communication, while 46% chose to make contact outside of office hours