The Sutherland Shire might be known for its beaches and national parks, but a new generation of entrepreneurs is putting the region on the map as a hub for innovative startups. We spoke with three local founders who have built thriving businesses without ever leaving the Shire.

CareMate: Revolutionising Aged Care Communication

Founder: Sophie Williams, 34, Caringbah Founded: 2022 Employees: 12 Funding Raised: $1.2 million

Sophie Williams was working as an aged care nurse when she noticed a persistent problem: families struggled to stay connected with their elderly relatives in care facilities. “Every shift, I’d spend so much time answering calls from worried family members who just wanted to know how mum or dad was doing,” she recalls.

Her solution was CareMate, an app that allows care facility staff to send quick updates, photos, and videos to family members. The platform now serves over 50 aged care facilities across NSW and Victoria.

“I built the first version of the app at my kitchen table in Caringbah,” Williams said. “People asked why I didn’t move to the city, but all my customers are in suburban and regional areas. Why would I leave?”

CareMate recently closed a $1.2 million seed funding round and is planning expansion into Queensland by the end of 2024.

SurfTrack: AI-Powered Wave Forecasting

Founder: Jake Chen, 28, Cronulla Founded: 2021 Employees: 8 Funding Raised: $800,000

As a lifelong Cronulla surfer, Jake Chen was frustrated by inaccurate wave forecasts. “I’d drive to the beach based on predictions and find completely different conditions,” he explains. “It was a waste of time and petrol.”

Using his background in machine learning, Chen developed SurfTrack, an AI system that combines satellite data, local weather stations, and historical patterns to provide hyper-local wave predictions. The app now has over 100,000 active users across Australia’s eastern seaboard.

“Being based in Cronulla is actually a competitive advantage,” Chen noted. “I can test the app at my local break every morning. My whole team surfs. We understand our users because we are our users.”

SurfTrack recently partnered with Surf Life Saving NSW to provide safety alerts to patrol teams, and is exploring expansion to New Zealand and Indonesia.

EcoPackage: Sustainable Shipping Solutions

Founder: Priya Sharma, 41, Miranda Founded: 2020 Employees: 25 Funding Raised: $2.5 million

Priya Sharma’s background in packaging design led her to launch EcoPackage, a company developing biodegradable shipping materials for e-commerce businesses. The company’s signature product, a seaweed-based packing material, has attracted major clients including several Australian fashion retailers.

“The pandemic accelerated e-commerce, but it also created mountains of packaging waste,” Sharma explained. “We saw an opportunity to solve a real environmental problem.”

Operating from a warehouse in Miranda, EcoPackage has grown to 25 employees and recently secured $2.5 million in Series A funding. The company is now developing compostable shipping bags and recyclable padding materials.

Common Threads

Despite their different industries, these founders share several characteristics:

Community Support

All three mentioned the importance of local networks. “The Shire startup community is small but mighty,” Williams said. “We all know each other and help each other out.”

Quality of Life

Each founder cited lifestyle as a reason for staying local. “I coach my kids’ nippers on Saturday mornings,” Chen said. “That’s not negotiable. Running a business from Cronulla means I never have to choose between work and family.”

Lower Overheads

Operating outside the CBD provides significant cost savings. “Our Miranda warehouse costs a fraction of what we’d pay in Alexandria or Marrickville,” Sharma noted. “Those savings go straight into R&D.”

Talent Attraction

Contrary to expectations, recruiting hasn’t been a problem. “Good people want to work somewhere beautiful,” Williams observed. “We’ve had developers relocate from the city to join us.”

The Future of Shire Startups

Sutherland Shire Council has recognised the growing startup ecosystem and is developing plans for a dedicated innovation hub in Miranda. The facility would provide co-working space, meeting rooms, and mentorship programs for local entrepreneurs.

“What we’re seeing in the Shire is part of a broader trend,” said local business advisor Mark Thompson. “The idea that you need to be in the CBD to build a successful company is outdated. With modern technology, you can be anywhere.”

For aspiring entrepreneurs in southern Sydney, these success stories offer proof that world-class businesses can be built right here in the Shire.