Brisbane-based startup On the House has successfully closed a USD$1.1 million seed funding round to combat period inequity across Australia. Founded by 26-year-old entrepreneur Remy Tucker, the company provides free, organic period products in public bathrooms through an innovative advertising-supported model. This investment, led by Purpose Ventures, will fuel the national expansion of its unique digital dispenser network, aiming to make essential sanitary care a universally accessible standard.
Addressing a Persistent Gap in Public Amenities
The initiative directly confronts the widespread issue of period inequity, where essential products are often unavailable in public spaces, forcing many to use makeshift solutions. According to recent data, three in five Australian women have resorted to using items like toilet paper when caught unprepared in workplaces or universities. This highlights a significant gap in public infrastructure design, where toilet paper is a standard provision but period products remain an afterthought.
An Innovative Advertising-Funded Solution
On the House installs smart dispensers with 32-inch digital screens in high-traffic venues, which dispense free, biodegradable sanitary products at no cost to the user. The operational costs are entirely covered by brands that advertise on the screens, creating a sustainable model independent of grants or donations. Tucker has defined this approach as a new marketing channel, "Social Out-of-Home" (SOOH), which intelligently redirects advertising spend toward essential public infrastructure.
Securing Strategic Investment for National Expansion
The successful seed round was led by Western Australian venture capital firm Purpose Ventures, with additional support from the UniQuest Extension Fund and accelerator Startmate. This capital will enable On the House to scale its operations from an initial five pilot locations to a comprehensive national network. The expansion will target community hubs such as shopping precincts, universities, workplaces, and gyms, significantly increasing the company's reach and impact across the country.
A Win-Win Model for Stakeholders
The business model is designed as a "win-win" for all parties, offering tangible benefits to consumers, venues, and advertisers alike. Women receive a necessary product for free, venues enhance their facilities at no cost, and brands connect with consumers through a trusted, socially responsible medium. Purpose Ventures' Managing Partner, Derek Gerrard, praised the concept for its practical and scalable approach to a persistent social problem while rethinking how advertising can operate more responsibly.
From Pilot Success to Commercial Rollout
The company launched commercially after a successful pilot phase that validated the model's effectiveness and appeal to major consumer brands, including Afterpay. The initial five dispensers are already live in high-traffic locations like stadiums and entertainment precincts, proving the concept in real-world environments. With 22 additional brand partners, including Pillow Talk, already in the pipeline, the startup is well-positioned for its next phase of growth and market penetration.
Founder Remy Tucker's ultimate ambition is to fundamentally reshape public standards, making free period products as commonplace as toilet paper in all communal bathrooms. She emphasizes that On the House is not a temporary campaign or a charity but a systemic solution designed to rebuild infrastructure for greater equity. If successful, this initiative could permanently normalize free access to period care, establishing a new and long-overdue standard for public amenities nationwide.