Funding

AI voice bot startup raises $7 million pre-Series A

- May 16, 2022 2 MIN READ

Sydney-based voice communication platform, Curious Thing has raised $7 million in pre-series A funding. The round led by private investment firm Hawkstone, supported by Blacksheep Capital and January Capital, with existing investors, Westpac’s VC fund Reinventure, and Qualgro, returning after backing a $1.5 million round in 2019. The cash injection will be used to help the… Read more »

Cyber security

An Indigenous Army veteran is looking to take his cybersecurity startup to IPO as Australia’s first listed Aboriginal business

- May 16, 2022 2 MIN READ

An Indigenous Australian Army veteran who’s build a successful tech startup over the last six years has spun out a cybersecurity company with the ambition one day launching it on the ASX. Kieran Hynes is a Worimi man from the Newcastle region who spent 13 years as an Army officer, dealing with military tech, from… Read more »

Funding

Tiger Global doubles down on used car startup Carma’s $75 million Series A

- May 12, 2022 2 MIN READ

US venture capital giant has once again backed  online used car platform, Carma in a US$52 million (A$75m) Series A round. General Catalyst Partners led the round. MD Adam Valkin will join the Carma board. The US VC’s other local investments include Canva, BigCommerce and Buildkite Other international venture investors joining the round include Entrée Capital… Read more »

DoorDash delivery
Business

DoorDash strikes landmark union deal for gig workers

- May 10, 2022 2 MIN READ

Food delivery tech company DoorDash has signed a pioneering agreement with the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) that sets out safety and fairness standards for gig workers. Amid ongoing legal battles by global tech companies over the employment status of gig economy workers, the first-of-its-kind agreement between an Australian union and a delivery platform sets out… Read more »

Space

Gilmour Space lands $15 million from the Australian government for Defence surveillance satellites

- May 9, 2022 2 MIN READ

The federal government has awarded Queensland rocket company Gilmour Space Technologies $15 million to develop and launch a new sovereign surveillance satellite as part of a $7 billion ramping up of the nation’s space capabilities. Defence Minister Peter Dutton said the partnership with the Gold Coast tech company is part of the government’s Space Command,… Read more »

Kids on bike with rockets
Accelerator

LaunchVic is looking for more startup accelerators to fund

- May 9, 2022 < 1 MIN READ

Victorian startup agency LaunchVic is offering grants of up to $2 million to support accelerator programs for local founders. Applications for the grant program are now open for experienced accelerator program providers to deliver either generalist or sector-specific programs over the next three years. LaunchVic CEO Dr Kate Cornick said the need for tailored support,… Read more »

Funding

Go1 founders back game licensing marketplace Layer in $3.9 million metaverse play

- May 9, 2022 2 MIN READ

Brisbane licensing marketplace Layer has raised $3,888,888 in Seed funding  The round was led by Carthona Capital, with support from Aura Ventures, TEN13, Flying Fox, Black Sheep Capital, LUXEM, Tribe Ventures and several angels, including Go1 co-founders Chris Eigeland and Vu Tran. Layer’s marketplace connects games with leading rights holders including Bruce Lee, Narcos, CareBears,… Read more »