20. Catalytic IT

Revenue: $4.46 million
Growth: 34.97%
Directors: Michael Lester and Esteban Vidal
Head office: Perth, WA
Year founded: 2013
Employees: 23
Industry: Professional services
Website: citwa.com.au

How Catalytic IT started

Catalytic IT was founded in 2013 by Rick Goody and Matthew Healey, who have since departed.

Perth entrepreneurs Esteban Vidal and Michael Lester were staff hires number three and four, and now direct the business.

The WA-based consultancy specialises in ICT, Apple devices, cyber security and wireless networking.

Growth

Navigating the departure of the company’s founders was not simple, but the guidepost of transparency with staff and customers made all the difference. It has paid off in leaps and bounds.

In 2020-21, the company’s revenue was $2.5 million. Fast forward three years, and it’s now $4.4 million. The company added three new employees in 12 months to bring the total headcount up to 23.

Where to next

Next, the business is looking to open a branch just a six-hour flight away from Perth – not the east coast of Australia, but Malaysia.

The company sees it as a ripe market for its particular brand of consultancy, and the ‘recession-proof’ sectors it operates in, like education, medical and local government.

Back to The Smart50 Awards 2023.