Simon Thomsen

Simon was previously Associate Editor of Business Insider Australia, covering everything from politics to startups, tech, super cars and even finer whiskies.

He was once a full-time restaurant critic, editor of The Good Food Guide, and previously a newspaper proprietor, having spent more than 25 years in journalism and publishing.

He chaired industry lobby group Australian Business Ltd's (now the NSW Business Chamber) environment committee during the Kyoto agreement era.

News & Analysis

An Australian startup has cracked the final 10 for Startupbootcamp’s latest global fintech accelerator

- May 21, 2019 3 MIN READ

Melbourne-based Pencil, an application management system that allows businesses to easily submit credit applications digitally, with immediate approvals, is the only Australian business chosen to take part in Startupbootcamp’s next fintech accelerator. Two social impact startups, Youthful Savings, a learning marketplace offering the next generation the tools of financial education and entrepreneurship; and ZigWay, a… Read more »

News & Analysis

Here’s how the startup community is reacting to the Morrison government’s election win

- May 20, 2019 3 MIN READ

The Australian startup community has welcomed the return of the Morrison government following its surprise election win, despite the fact that the sector barely rated a mention from the Coalition during the campaign Alex McCauley, CEO of the peak national advocacy group for startups, StartupAUS,  said he hoped the result would deliver “a period of… Read more »

News & Analysis

Design ‘unicorn’ Canva’s value is reportedly set to double to $2.5 billion

- May 20, 2019 3 MIN READ

Canva has bought two of the world’s biggest free stock content sites Pexels and Pixabay. It’s also launched Photos Unlimited, a “Netflix-style” stock photography subscription service The Sydney startup is reportedly raising more cash that could more than double the company’s value to $2.5 billion   Graphic design and publishing startup Canva has spent some… Read more »

News & Analysis

One of Australia’s most influential female entrepreneurs, who’s presented in her swimsuit, has joined Antler’s new Sydney startup program

- May 17, 2019 7 MIN READ

Antler’s first Australian startup generator program kicks off in Sydney next month 60 people have been accepted into the program, which is still open for last-minute applications Among the first cohort is B.Kindred founder Penny Locaso, who spoke to Startup Daily about her experiences as one of Australia’s most influential female entrepreneurs, and what it’s… Read more »

News & Analysis

2ND TIME LUCKY: Small business lender Prospa is raising $110 million in another IPO attempt

- May 16, 2019 3 MIN READ

  Fintech Prospa launched in 2012 after its co-founders grew frustrated with access to small business loans from traditional banks The company is raising $110 million from institutional investors, valuing the business at $610m Its backers include Square Peg, Airtree and AustralianSuper.  This is Prospa’s 2nd attempt to float after an IPO was pulled at… Read more »

News & Analysis

The future of Australian farming includes solar-powered WiFi to eliminate blackspots

- May 16, 2019 3 MIN READ

MRT’s Paul Mullins, David Finlay and Gordon Howard with their invention, which helps reduce tractor horsepower in broadacre farming. Australia’s CSIRO invented wifi and now a local startup is using it keep farmers in touch when they’re out in the paddocks as part of the latest cohort in agtech accelerator SparkLabs Cultiv8. Seven startups have… Read more »

News & Analysis

Suncorp is launching a fintech accelerator program

- May 16, 2019 1 MIN READ

Queensland financial giant Suncorp has announced plans for a three-month accelerator program for fintech startups. The Suncorp Digital Incubator Program is a 90-day accelerator offering access to mentors, designers, data/APIs and tech and business experts, at the bank’s Digital Labs in Brisbane. Applications are now open with the program kicking off in June. Chief Information… Read more »

News & Analysis

7 things startup leaders should see at Melbourne Knowledge Week

- May 16, 2019 3 MIN READ

Celebrating its 10th year, Melbourne Knowledge Week returns next week with seven days of interactive events, workshops, dinners and performances all dedicated to discovering and shaping the future of our city. The City of Melbourne’s annual celebration of the city’s best and brightest minds and smart, innovative and unique solutions to improve the world’s most… Read more »

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News & Analysis

Calls for a machine learning hub are growing as Australia falls behind in the AI race

- May 15, 2019 2 MIN READ

Australia is spending a fraction of its GDP on artificial intelligence and machine learning, compared to its international rivals, and will lose jobs without increased investment in the technology, experts says. Analysis by the University of Adelaide’s Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML), which is pushing to establish a National Centre of Excellence in Machine… Read more »