InstantScripts, Pickstar and Mr Yum: The startups recognised in this year’s Smart50 Awards

Healthtech startup InstantScripts has topped SmartCompany’s Smart50 list this year, after recording growth of over 1400% over three years.

But it’s just one of many startups and tech companies recognised in the list of Australia’s fastest growing companies, and in the 2021 category award winners.

Founded in 2017, InstantScripts allows patients to attend telehealth appointments and order prescriptions online. The business saw huge growth as demand for remote healthcare ramped up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It recorded revenues of $7.5 million for the 2020-21 financial year, up from around $500,000 in 2018-19.

Innovators and Rising Stars

Talent booking and management platform Pickstar won the SmartCompany Plus Innovator Award, and also secured a spot in the Smart50 list, as the 20th fastest-growing business.

The startup, founded by former AFL players James Begley and Matthew Pavlich, recorded 141% revenue growth over the past three years, bringing in $2.6 million for the 2020-21 financial year.

Hospitality startup Mr Yum won the Rising Star Award, for fast-growing businesses that have not yet been around for three years and therefore not eligible for the Smart50 list.

Co-founders Kim Teo, Adrian Osman and Kerry Osborn were recognised for the speed and success of their COVID-19 pivot, which saw them offer an online ordering and delivery service for their restaurant customers.

Mr Yum has since expanded to the US and the UK, and partnered with Afterpay to offer buy now, pay later services on food and beverage orders.

The Rising Star Award tops off a successful few weeks for the startup, which recently closed an $89 million Series A raise, and took home four Pause Awards last week.

Businesses shortlisted in this category were telehealth startup Eucalyptus, fintech Adatree, B2B booze marketplace Kaddy and startup-focused recruitment agency Nudge Group.

Other startups shortlisted for category awards included legaltech Immediation, live music booking platform Muso and edtech Hacker Exchange, all of which were runners up for the Resilience Award.

Fintech lender Plenti was shortlisted for the SmartCompany Plus Innovator award, and solar startup Smart Energy was shortlisted for both the Eco Warrior award and the Retail Champion award.

Logistics startup Zoom2U was also a runner up in the retail category.

High tech, high growth

Startups and tech-enabled companies named on the Smart50 list span the retail, healthcare, insurtech and telehealth sectors.

They include direct-to-consumer flower delivery business LVLY, which came in at number four.

In the 2020-21 financial year, LVLY hit $13.9 million in revenue, up from $3.8 million the previous year. Over the past three years, the business’ revenues have grown by 630%.

Insurance startup Open was close behind in fifth place, having seen revenue growth of 629% over the previous three financial years.

Telehealth startup Doctors on Demand came in sixth, after demand during the pandemic led to revenue growth of 469%.

And Careseekers, a platform connecting independent aged care and disability support workers with people who need in-home care, came in at number 15 on the list, having seen revenue growth of 238.5%. The business recorded $8.1 million in revenue for the 2020-21 financial year.

Find the full Smart50 list and category award winners here.