Gerry Alleaume started Matesrates in 2005 from a small home office. It is now a million dollar company, specialising in IT business products and services. Mr Alleaume diversified his business to protect it during the economic downturn. The retail store in Subiaco was opened to create a new opportunity for sales when regular sectors of the business quietened. Mr Alleaume is conscious of the environment and incorporates environmentally friendly initiatives into his business practises. Matesrates purchases energy from government accreditation program Green Power and participates in the Carbon Neutral program. Matesrates made the top 100 in the BRW Fast Starters Awards in both 2008 and 2009. It also won a SmartCompany Smart50 award, achieving 37th in the top 50 fastest growing companies in Australia for the financial year ending 2009.