Here’s your chance to put your startup forward as one of the best places to work in Australian tech

The hunt is on to find the best Australian startups to work for, with submissions now open for My Startup Gig’s guide: Top Startup Employers 2023.

The initiative is being backed by Tank Stream Labs and Startup Daily to build a comprehensive guide to the best startups to work for across Australia, as voted by employees.

My Startup Gig was launched by Tim Atkins, COO of CancerAid. He decided to compile the report to recognise startups that excel in providing a supportive, inclusive and innovative workplace for their employees, with the goal of increasing startup employment.

Nominate startups now

To participate in the Top Startup Employers 2023 report, founders or their leadership team need to submit information about their processes and policies, and employees will be surveyed to rate their workplace on various criteria, including professional development and training, employee support, work-life balance, employee benefits, and the company’s approach to improving gender representation.

The report is facilitated through partnerships with government organisations, venture capital firms, and co-working spaces.

Additionally, a network of universities, recruiters, and the startups themselves will help ensure maximum visibility among jobseekers.

Being part of the report is free. Submissions can be made here and close in May.

The startups who participate will also receive an insights report with specific tips to areas to focus on for improvement.

Tank Stream Labs is the major sponsor of Top Startup Employers 2023 and CEO Brad Delamere said they wanted to support initiatives that encourage more people into the sector as well as embracing inclusivity.

“TSL being one of the most established and largest startup communities in Australia, having worked with thousands of startups over the past 10 years,” he said.

“Having launched Tank Stream Talent to help businesses with people and culture, we believe this is a very important project to support and we look forward to celebrating all the fantastic workplaces in the start-up ecosystem.”

Finding the right place

Tim Atkins, who moved into the startup sector after a life in corporate law, said he’s acutely conscious that people can be hesitant to work in startups  due to a perceived lack of instability, limited training opportunities and employee benefits, and a lack of data about the work environment.

“Compared to corporates, information about a given startup workplace is relatively opaque,” he said.

“The Top Startup Employers 2023 report aims to address this issue by providing transparent information about hundreds of Australian startups. ”

Atkins is also hoping to address the ongoing gender issues in the tech sector with the report highlighting companies leading the way.

“Our plan is to share aggregated data, which will help startups craft their employee benefits package while also increasing expectations upon startups to meet industry standards,” he said.

Improving visibility

Lucas Kakewill from UNSW Founders said one issue with cracking into tech is that jobs at early-stage startups usually aren’t advertised.

“The Top Startup Employers report will help to make startup careers more transparent and accessible, especially for underrepresented groups,” he said.

“We’re excited to share this with the talent that comes through UNSW.”

Atkins cites his own organisation, CancerAid, as an example. “We have a great mission, and work hard to create a work environment we’re proud of, but no one’s heard of us,” he said.

“This report should give a voice to all those quiet achievers that don’t have brand recognition in the jobseeker market.”

Laura Warden, Head of Operations at Sydney VC Folklore Ventures said the Top Startup Employers 2023  will be an example of “seeing it to be it” for all startups.

“I am looking forward to seeing the impact this report has in not only highlighting top companies to work for across multiple integral areas such as representation, inclusivity and flexibility for women, but also how it will support those startups who are building their culture and strategy around diversity, by highlighting key themes that are at the forefront of future employees decisions to join a company,” she said.

“I believe this could support more action to improve women representation in the startup world.”

Startups have until May to apply here.

If you’d like to support the project, get in touch at [email protected]