Tanck cofounders Neil Pharaoh and Angus Crowther. Photo: Rory Parker
Other tech

This startup is the ‘secret weapon’ community organisations need to deal with governments

- December 4, 2023 2 MIN READ

Tanck is a startup described as a ‘secret weapon’ for NFPs and social sector organisations when it comes to government relations and engagement. Founded in 2020 by Angus Crowther and Neil Pharaoh, Tanck is a small team of political gurus who share their political knowledge and experience with organisations who want to change the world… Read more »

Business

Accidental edtech founder Edwina Sharrock exits Birth Beat to help more women succeed

- December 4, 2023 3 MIN READ

Founder Edwina Sharrock says the decision to exit from her 8-year-old edtech startup Birth Beat is like selling a child. The childbirth education platform has been acquired by Device Technologies for an undisclosed sum. Birth Beat offers comprehensive, interactive digital childbirth education, as well as baby and child first aid courses, that have helped more… Read more »

Arkeus
Funding

Main Sequence, Steve Baxter back defence surveillance startup in $4.45m Seed round

- December 4, 2023 2 MIN READ

A defence tech startup that helps drones and airborne surveillance craft “see” better has raised $4.45 million in a Seed round. The investment in Arkeus was led by CSIRO deep tech VC Main Sequence, with participation from Steve Baxter’s new defence-focus fund, Beaten Zone Venture Partners, and Salus Ventures. The capital is allocated towards scaling… Read more »

Climate Tech

Meet Ubiquetherm: the Startmate climate tech startup creating new ways to create energy for heating and cooling

- December 1, 2023 5 MIN READ

Every now and again you hear about a technology that has so much transformative potential that it’s hard to wrap your head around it. ‍ The team from Ubiquetherm humbly refers to their invention as ‘the next generation of heating and cooling.’ What they are actually creating, is a breakthrough product that could have dramatic and brilliant… Read more »

Politics

The feds are offering grants worth up to $5 million grants to startups

- December 1, 2023 3 MIN READ

The federal government’s flagship $392 million Industry Growth Program has been officially launched, with grants of up to $5 million available for startups and small businesses. The $392.4 million program was unveiled in the May budget, replacing the former Coalition government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme, which was embroiled in controversy due to bungled procurement processes. The aim of the… Read more »

Funding

Kiwi VC Icehouse Ventures raises $10 million

- November 30, 2023 2 MIN READ

New Zealand’s most active venture capital firm Icehouse Ventures, says it has “VCed itself” after raising NZ$10 million (A$9.3m) in equity capital. The raise was supported by business leaders and family offices across Aotearoa, as well as Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, and the US. Icehouse’s backers are a who’s who… Read more »

Malia Forner
Fintech

EY’s annual fintech census finds the number of new startups emerging has dropped dramatically

- November 29, 2023 5 MIN READ

Australian fintechs are looking offshore for success, hampered by the funding climate and regulatory complexity account to the latest EY FinTech Australia Census. The eighth census, a collaboration between Ernst & Young and industry group FinTech Australia, reveals a mature sector that overall is performing well. A record 88% of respondents said they are post-revenue,… Read more »

Birchal directors Kellie Morton, Matt Vitale Kate O’Keeffe and Adam Vise
Funding

Crowdfunding platform Birchal launches its own raise, seeking $3 million

- November 29, 2023 2 MIN READ

Crowd-sourced funding (CSF) fintech Birchal is hoping to raise $3 million in a second campaign on its own platform.  The capital raising platform, which has been popular with brewers, medicinal cannabis ventures and impact cleaning products startup Zero Co launched in 2018 when crowd-funding was legalised, has facilitated more than 100 capital raises worth $190… Read more »

Jobs for NSW
Women in tech

LaunchVic backs SBE Australia to advise women entrepreneurs

- November 29, 2023 2 MIN READ

SBE Australia will expand its services supporting women entrepreneurs in Victoria thanks to support from LaunchVic. The state government-backed startup agency is provided a $100,000 grant towards the development of SBE Advisory, to ensure that women-led businesses are receiving much needed independent, bespoke advice and more tailored solutions needed to amplify their growth and scale.… Read more »

David Burt
Accelerator

UNSW gets cracking on the federal government’s Startup Year idea

- November 29, 2023 2 MIN READ

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has become the first tertiary institution to implement the federal government’s accredited Startup Year program for recent university graduates. Federal industry and science minister Ed Husic confirmed plans for the HECS-style loans program, an election promise designed to back university students to launch their own startups ideas, late… Read more »

Funding

Virtual reality proptech EnvisionVR raises $2.58 million

- November 29, 2023 2 MIN READ

Virtual reality property walkthrough startup EnvisionVR has raised $2.585 million in a round backed by industry leaders. EnvisionVR, founded in 2019, is a mobile platform that uses virtual and augmented reality experiences for the off-the-plan property developments. In the last 18 months, more than $500 million worth of property has been showcased and sold by… Read more »