Wellbeing benefits startup pirkx is launching its services in Australia, following successful seed funding rounds and launch in the UK market.

It is making the move with support from the Department for International Trade and Austrade through the FinTech Bridge programme.

Founded in 2018, pirkx launched its wellbeing benefits service to all workers – whether self-employed, part of a small or large company, charity, or even for a client.

Following this international expansion, Australian workers will now be able to access the service directly through a self-serve platform on its website.

Stella Smith, pirkx chief executive and founder, explained: “The Austrade team and the Department for International Trade have been fantastic at helping guide us through the FinTech Bridge programme to launch us into Australia."

Austrade’s senior trade and investment commissioner Jennifer Mackinlay said: “We recognised early on that their brilliant founders were determined to provide a FinTech solution that enables everyone to have access to wellbeing benefits and as such pirkx was born global.

“Austrade sees that COVID has and will continue to speed up the digital transformation across our economies and this has created both challenges and fast-tracked digital solutions coming to market - we are delighted to support pirkx as they roll out a highly innovative solution across Australia that can improve people’s wellbeing.”

Ella Hamilton will lead pirkx Australia as managing director, and added: “A large section of our workforce has been missing out on access to important tools to support their mental, physical and financial wellbeing, so we are proud to bring together so many Australian best in breed resources affordably so they are now accessible for everyone, no matter how they work.”

Early-stage seed funding has allowed the pirkx team to double in size, with two new board members also joining recently. The future expansion for pirkx includes moving into South Africa and the United States in the near future.

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