For almost 20 years, Dr Stephen Kirby has worked with the same people at three different companies. Now, his team have raised $US32 million for workforce management start-up Lifelenz.
The business uses machine learning to analyse and optimise workforce rostering and compliance, considering factors such as the weather forecast, historical sales, events and local labour laws.It started out servicing the fast-food sector, known as quick-service restaurants , and is expanding into retail, supermarkets and casual dining.
Having launched the product in 2018, the company has now signed up most of the big-name fast-food chains in the US as clients, and its software is used by 150,000 people daily. “Concurrently I was contacted by a global CIO [from a major QSR in Chicago] who knew of mine and my team’s work, having done projects for them before.
While the company’s engineering headquarters, making up the bulk of its team, is based in Adelaide, its sales and marketing operations are in the US.Having spent the better part of the past decade in the US, Dr Kirkby enlisted Morgan Stanley Australia to connect him with local investors.In early 2021 he was introduced to Tidal Ventures managing partner Grant McCarthy , who was attracted to the company having learnt about the industry through an earlier investment.