A Sunshine Coast-based tech business that introduced an app to help people with disabilities have better shopping experiences is poised to expand.
Cerge has embarked on a capital-raising venture to fund future expansion in order to make a positive difference to the lives of the 4.4 million Australians living with a disability.
Husband and wife duo Chris and Victoria Kerrisk founded Cerge in 2019 to improve the lives of the one in five Australians living with a disability, by preventing inadvertent discrimination and ensuring empathetic experiences during everyday shopping experiences, participating in sport and recreation or when travelling.
The solution enables participating venues to promote their accessible features so customers can “know before you go”, improving confidence and participation.
Customers with a disability, parents, carers and support workers are also able to discreetly inform service staff before arrival of essential information about them, to personalise experiences, which leads to more independence, improved mental health and delivers life-changing outcomes.
Cerge has established its market fit and secured committed clients on multi-year licences, and Mr Kerrisk recognised the need to engage tech entrepreneur Matt Von der Muhll as chief operating officer to expedite the scaling of the business.
Mr Kerrisk said Mr Von der Muhll was selected due to his track record of steering successful early-stage ventures through business expansion and international growth.
“We’ve been blown away by the take-up of the Cerge technology to date and today have a presence in every state in Australia as well as New Zealand,” he said.
“With Matt’s extensive experience in innovative tech startups we hope to further accelerate this growth trajectory.
“We are in active discussions with venture capital firms who have an interest in for-purpose tech companies and are inviting conversations with other impact investors.”
Cerge has signed more than 100 venues across industry sectors including sports, leisure and recreation facilities, hospitality and tourism businesses, supermarkets and retail stores.
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Its clients include notable brands such as IGA supermarkets and Belgravia Leisure, which operates more than 200 sporting and recreational facilities in Australia and New Zealand.
Mr Von der Muhll said that, with a year-on-year growth rate of 341 per cent, and a potential market of 1.8 billion people globally, Cerge offered a promising investment opportunity and he was looking forward to helping to drive it forward and achieve unprecedented social impact on a global scale.
“Given the prevailing market challenges confronting startups and the economic landscape, Cerge presents investors with an enticing opportunity to participate in a solution that commands attention not only from governmental bodies, exemplified by recent announcements regarding the NDIS overhaul, but also through initiatives like the National Autism Strategy,” he said.
Mr Kerrisk said that with more than 70 per cent of all disabilities being invisible, Cerge provided an extra level of awareness to service staff so they are better informed and equipped to warmly welcome everyone whether they are in a wheelchair, experience social anxiety, or where communication is a barrier.
“Through technology, Cerge addresses the primary obstacles encountered by individuals with a disability by showcasing accessibility information about destinations to give them greater confidence, thus enabling their full participation in community activities,” he said.
“It also improves confidence of service teams to support their customers by giving them greater awareness of their needs.
“It really is a dream win-win scenario as a free solution for people with disability and simple and cost efficient platform for business that delivers genuine social impact and brand differentiation to ultimately foster greater equality.”
Business and local governments can sign up to Cerge for an annual fee to make an immediate impact within their communities.
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