News & Analysis

AI-based engineering startup VAPAR, founded by two women, just raised $700,000 in seed funding

- July 6, 2020 2 MIN READ

Engineering startup VAPAR, which utilises artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to check the condition of stormwater and sewerage pipelines, has raised AU$700,000 in seed funding led by Blackbird Ventures and Startmate, as well as angel investors. CEO Amanda Siqueira and CTO Michelle Aguilar, both engineering graduates from the University of Technology, Sydney, co-founded their… Read more »

News & Analysis

Blackbird Ventures launches Sirius A program to ‘concierge’ top computer science students into startup jobs

- May 20, 2016 3 MIN READ

Recruiting is hard for startups the world over, hence the ping pong tables, catered meals, endless snacks, gym memberships…the perks go on. For Australian startups however attracting top talent is particularly difficult, even for those with US$30 million of funding under their belt. In an AMA with Sydney-based firm Blackbird Ventures yesterday, Canva cofounder Melanie… Read more »

Profiles

Startmate triples its funding pool to $150,000 and partners with Droga5 to help 2016 participants with storytelling

- August 6, 2015 2 MIN READ

Startmate, a Sydney-based startup accelerator programme that has one of the highest startup success rates, has announced today that it will invest up to $150,000 into its next batch of startups. It has also partnered with creative agency Droga5 to help 2016 participants with storytelling, a struggle for many founders with promising products.