RosterLab levels up support for healthcare workers

RosterLab Team

In hospitals, where every second counts, ensuring optimal staffing is critical. Enter RosterLab, a start-up that is redefining workforce management through AI-driven rostering solutions that balance complex variables—union rules, employee preferences, and operational needs—to improve healthcare efficiency and staff well-being.

RosterLab is already operating in various hospital departments across New Zealand and Australia, saving clinicians days of time each month while also making staff work safer and more flexible.

In a significant milestone, RosterLab recently secured a $1.75M seed round led by Movac, with co-investments from Pacific Channel and UniServices, the University of Auckland’s research and knowledge transfer company. This funding will enable the company to expand its team, paving the way for growth both locally and internationally.

“Expanding our team is a critical step in our journey,” said Isaac Cleland, founder and CEO of RosterLab. “With the support from our successful seed round, we can accelerate our vision of delivering fully automated and optimised shift rostering to hospitals worldwide. The fresh talent joining us brings new perspectives and expertise, helping us scale our operations and make a lasting difference in healthcare rostering.”

From its inception, the University of Auckland has played a pivotal role in RosterLab’s growth. The initial concept came out of Cleland’s PhD research and now stands as a testament to how research can evolve into real-world solutions. The research was honed into a business plan and entered into the Velocity $100K Challenge. The successful competition entry was then brought to life through the VentureLab incubator. Both opportunities were delivered by the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). Recently, RosterLab moved to the University’s Newmarket Innovation Precinct (NIP), which has a co-working space.

“NIP provides a nurturing environment with affordable workspaces, easing the financial burden for early-stage companies like ours,” Cleland shared. “The collaborative atmosphere and access to university resources allow us to focus on innovation, team growth, and scaling solutions while staying grounded in our academic roots.”

With significant traction in Australia and Singapore, RosterLab is poised to expand its influence in these markets over the next two years. Hospitals in these regions are increasingly adopting innovative solutions to alleviate administrative burdens on clinicians.

“Departments often share staff across subspecialties and modalities, making rostering time-consuming and resource-intensive,” Cleland explained. “Our AI-driven system frees up clinicians’ time, fosters better work-life balance, and enables smoother departmental operations, ultimately enhancing patient care.”

One of RosterLab’s defining features is its ability to deliver highly personalised scheduling for healthcare staff. A compelling story illustrates the system’s impact:

One doctor had the opportunity to try out different patterns he preferred to work. He initially requested five nights in a row followed by a week off, only to realise that breaking up his night shifts into smaller blocks suited him better, as too many consecutive nights proved too rough. Such flexibility would have been a luxury for doctors on rosters in the past.

“Doctors sometimes hesitate to make complex requests, fearing they’ll create challenges for manual roster makers,” said Cleland. “With RosterLab, personalisation is seamless and automated, removing barriers and empowering staff to plan their lives around safe work schedules.”

Feedback from customers underscores RosterLab’s transformative impact. Mike, an Associate Clinical Manager in Radiology, described the benefits:

“Since integrating RosterLab into our radiography department, I’ve witnessed a significant transformation in staffing management. Rostering, which used to take 7-8 days, now takes just 2-3 hours. The intuitive system adapts flexibly to our complex needs, saving time and enabling me to focus on patient care.”

Looking ahead, RosterLab plans to extend its solutions to industries such as transportation, 24/7 support teams, and security, addressing scheduling challenges beyond healthcare. With a growing client base and enhanced capabilities, the company is set to lead the way in workforce optimisation, improving work and personal wellbeing.