Corporate reward and recognition company preparing for Galway launch

A new company that is tapping into the growing corporate reward and recognition market is set to launch in Galway at the end of the summer, according to its founder.

Tara Dalrymple, CEO of Feelsright, says the cloud-based employee reward, compensation and recognition platform is in an "exiting phase" after launching in Dublin three months ago.

The platform enables companies to buy credits for their staff. Employees can use those credits to delegate work on their personal to-do lists.

“So when employees are at home, they’re thinking about doing nice things with their friends and family. And when they’re at work, they’re thinking about work. Employers get a more productive staff, and employees are happier and less stressed,” she said.

“We also provide an outlet for service providers, like builders, electricians and plumbers, to monetise their skills and gifts. It creates money for the local economy as well, which is important.”

Dalrymple chose Galway as the second Feelsright location because it has enough large companies and service providers for the platform to work. She plans to launch in the UK next year.

The global reward and recognition market is worth an estimated $46 billion (€41 billion), according to Forbes magazine.

Household repairs, gardening, dog walking and grocery shopping are some of the services available on the Feelsright website. Also available are health and wellness services, like nutrition and physiotherapy.

Dalrymple says Feelright’s offerings might be particularly appealing to people starting families. She thinks companies are changing the way they deal with employees who have children, citing Richard Branson’s recent announcement that some Virgin employees will receive a year’s paid paternity leave.

“We can help employees with children in a productive, beneficial way. I like the idea of giving people freedom and work/life balance. I have three kids of my own, so I know it’s important to get that balance right. We spend so many hours at work, it’s good to come home and not think about work,” she said.

Dalrymple will speak at the Galway Start-up night on Wednesday, June 17th. It is part of the AIB Start-up Academy, a collaboration between AIB and The Irish Times that supports entrepreneurs across the country.

Entrepreneurs looking to invest and start-up companies looking for investment can register to attend for free here.