Women Entrepreneurs Fund Winner – Tracy Austin

A Smarter Approach to Lost Pets: Tracy Austin’s Doggone App 

Tracy Austin embodies the innovation, resilience and community impact that underpins the Christchurch Foundation’s Women Entrepreneurs Fund. As the latest $10,000 grant recipient, Tracy’s journey is testament to what female startup founders can achieve with the right support for their living expenses while they are pushing forward with their business ideas.  

Recognising the need for an efficient, tech-based solution to lost pets, Tracy has developed a reunite service to support pet owners, councils, and communities when dogs go wandering. 

Doggone is a free service that connects lost dogs back to their owners within seconds, giving families peace of mind while relieving pressures on animal control services. Through the Doggone app, owners can easily manage and update their pet’s profile, helping to keep their dogs and communities safe. It’s a fast, practical and kind solution, improving outcomes for pets, their families, and communities. 

Until now, Doggone was primarily self-funded, which has stretched Tracy’s savings and available resources. As a female start-up founder, living costs are a major hurdle. An earlier grant from the Christchurch Foundation helped tide the business over last year, but receiving the additional $10,000, Tracy says, is “life changing.” The funding will help to alleviate cost-of living pressures, allowing Tracy to focus fully on expanding the platform’s impact and reach. 

Her advice resonates with any woman considering changing course for a greater purpose. “When you are younger, you do have these doubts, and I think that’s just a natural response [...] but you need to pop it in a box, pop it to the side, believe in yourself, go for it.” 

Congratulations, Tracy!