HeadBox, an events space matchmatcher, extends its reach to Perth

WA’s events industry is about to get a boost with the launch of a new online service that matches companies and event spaces.

Dubbed the “Bumble for events” after the well-known dating app, HeadBox is an online service that allows event bookers to find and reserve available locations, and also track and manage their event spending. It launches in Perth tomorrow.

HeadBox has had a bull run in London since its 2015 launch, where it recently was ranked ninth in an annual list of the top 100 start-ups.

It arrived in Australia last year, launched in Sydney and then Brisbane by local chief executive Ali Lord.

The site is also open to public inquiries, which allows venues to contact customers with requests that suit them.

“We didn’t want to just an east coast company,” Ms Lord said today. “Perth is a really cool city and there’s lots happening ... showing more and more that it’s a city on the move.”

Ms Lord expects HeadBox to hit its stride in WA once interstate and international borders eventually reopen, citing proximity to Asia and a desire by organisers and bookers to hold events and conferences in warm climates.

Lockdowns so far had not particularly affected work, Ms Lord said, and the UK side had its largest revenue month last November amid London’s COVID-19 restrictions.

In the meantime, she said, though there would be limited short-term potential, the future was promising. “Big companies need to deliver and events have got to happen,” Ms Lord said. “They will be more frequent and larger when borders open.”

HeadBox in Australia is a subsidiary company to the UK operations, which she said allowed the local team of eight to capitalise on the strength and reach of a more established company.

More people may be hired in Perth as the WA reach grows.