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Cloud computing / SaaS
Annual report 2015

iBeauty: the 40th company to cross the Sirris Startathlon finish line

In 2015, iBeauty, which runs an online CRM platform for beauty salons and hairdressers, became the 40th company to take part in the Sirris Startathlon. At Startathlon workshops, between five and seven SaaS and hardware companies, both start-ups and spin-offs, get the opportunity to work on their own innovative business case with a team of Sirris experts. iBeauty was therefore guided through seven clear steps towards a validated growth model.
  • Innovative online CRM platform tailored to the beauty sector
  • Attracting new users in an affordable way 
  • Implementing a scalable growth strategy and digital prospecting


iBeauty has been running its online CRM platform for beauty salons and hairdressers since 2012. From diary management, online booking and marketing tools through to an extensive range of digital options for the cash register system, stock management, customer records, cash receipts journal, newsletters and so on: the iBeauty application lets users get more out of their salon.

“During the Sirris Startathlon, iBeauty sought and found a scalable growth strategy that was to pay off in no time.”
ibeauty sirris promo

Manageable, controllable growth

On the advice of a previous participant, iBeauty decided to sign up for the Sirris Startathlon with the aim of gradually increasing the application’s user base while keeping costs as affordable as possible. The ambitious start-up thus embarked on an interactive search for an effective route to market and a tailor-made growth strategy, in collaboration with Sirris, who provided both hands-on training and individual coaching.

Seven steps

“During the Startathlon, we guided iBeauty through our seven-step plan by means of seven workshops,” explains Account Manager Peter Verhasselt. “From a clear description of the offering, insights into go-to-market design, communication and implementation, through to pricing models, scaling and financing: we covered the big issues as well as the basics. A seemingly simple thing such as the optimum structure for website landing pages can make all the difference to a start-up’s digital growth strategy.”

From start-up to scale-up

Following the Startathlon, iBeauty set about applying the knowledge it had acquired on digital prospecting and scalable growth. This has been a great success, with user numbers increasing substantially in just six months. Little surprise, then, that a new collaboration project with Sirris is in the pipeline.