Bookwell, beauty and wellness booking platform, has received a $1.25 million investment led by Gabby and Hezi Leibovich, founders of Catch Group – one of Australia’s leading eCommerce organisations. Other backers include Jeremy Same and Adam Schwab, founders of Luxury Escapes.
The funding will enable the business to cement its position as the go-to destination for online beauty and wellness bookings. It comes just months after Bookwell’s initial $2.6M seed funding round and shortly after the business bought out its key competitor, German-based, Vaniday Australia.
Bookwell co-founder, Matt Dyer, said the investment confirms the need for a convenient booking system in Australia’s multi-billion dollar beauty and wellness space.
“It validates our perception that there is a need for the Bookwell booking platform in the Australian market, and we are all really enthusiastic about Bookwell’s future,” he said. “Australians spend more than $10 billion a year on the services we are targeting, so there’s huge scope for growth.”
“The funds will go towards hiring new staff for Bookwell’s product development and sales teams, developing new product features for business partners and increasing consumer choices on the site.”
What is the story behind Bookwell?
Launched in September 2017 by EatNow founder Dyer and Nathan Airey, Bookwell is the first in its category, addressing an untapped gap in Australia’s lucrative health, beauty and wellness market. Since launch, revenues have skyrocketed, growing at more than 450 percent in the past year.
Hezi Leibovich said he is confident that Bookwell is destined for success and has every faith in its founders.
“Matt was able to grow EatNow from a mere concept to a successful business in five short years – after merging with Menulog, the combined business sold for $855M. We invested in that venture and it paid off, and we can see the same thing happening now.”
Bookwell.com.au connects consumers with more than 1,000 salons and wellness professionals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Gold Coast. It features services including massage, hair, nails, tanning, piercing, waxing & hair removal, brows & lashes as well as fitness and alternative therapies.
The one-stop platform provides beauty and wellness professionals with free calendar-management software and a stronger online presence. On the flip side, it enables customers to book appointments quickly and easily at reviewed local businesses.
