Other tech

Lessons from New Zealand’s 45-year-old home-grown and forgotten school computer: The Poly-1

- February 19, 2025 3 MIN READ

Some 45 years ago, a team of staff and students at Wellington Polytechnic designed and built a desktop computer with an operating system customised for the needs of New Zealand schools. The Poly-1 was far ahead of international competition, but New Zealand failed to capitalise on the opportunity. At the time, public investment in a… Read more »

Other tech

Steve Baxter’s new defence-focused VC fund locks and loads $10 million in first close on $60m target

- February 6, 2025 2 MIN READ

Brisbane-based specialist defence technology venture capital firm, Beaten Zone Venture Partners, has secured more than $10 million in commitments, to call first close on the fund. The figure takes the fund to its final condition for ESVCLP (Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships) status, with its first capital call underway this week.   Founder and… Read more »

Funding

Blackbird powers up Kiwi EV charger Kwetta’s $15.8 million Series A for Europe plans

- January 28, 2025 2 MIN READ

New Zealand EV charging startup Kwetta has raised A$15.8 million (NZ$17.5m/US$10.5m) in a Series A to tackle grid optimisation in the European market to power up electric buses and trucks. The round was led by the Kiwi outpost of Sydney fund Blackbird, with support from Clean Energy Finance Corporation-backed Virescent Ventures, Icehouse Ventures, and existing… Read more »

Business

Work skills edtech HEX acquires Sydney tech training startup EntryLevel

- January 24, 2025 2 MIN READ

Future of work education startup HEX has acquired Sydney edtech, EntryLevel, to build out its skills training offering. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. EntryLevel, founded in 2020, has developed an AI-powered, cohort-based learning management systems offering online courses in areas such as data analytics, cybersecurity, UX design, Python and growth marketing. More… Read more »

AO crowd
Events

Tennis Australia is using facial recognition at the Australian Open to monitor fans

- January 17, 2025 3 MIN READ

The Australian Open (AO) has rolled out facial recognition technology for all visitors under a new addition to its conditions of entry. By purchasing a ticket or entering Melbourne Park for this year’s competition, which runs January 6-26, visitors acknowledge security cameras “that may incorporate facial recognition technology” are used to “enhance security and patron safety”… Read more »

NBN
Other tech

The federal government is tipping in another $3 billion to ‘finish’ the NBN

- January 12, 2025 3 MIN READ

The federal government will make another $3 billion equity investment into the National Broadband Network (NBN) to national fibre-to-the node (FTTN) network as Labor and the Coalition begin campaigning ahead of an election due by May. NBN Co will contribute more than $800 million to the plan to upgrade around 622,000 homes and businesses nationally… Read more »

Jeanette Cheah
Events

Edtech HEX teams up with Toyota to give 1000 regional women STEM career training for free

- January 7, 2025 2 MIN READ

Jeanette Cheah’s edtech startup HEX has forged a partnership with the Toyota Community Trust to launch Highway to STEM, a free program that demystifies STEM career pathways for female and non-binary students from regional schools. The project will offer free STEM career training to 1000 students across Australia. HEX founder and CEO Jeanette Cheah said the… Read more »

Other tech

Student tech education platform Grok Academy lives on, acquired by KIK Innovation

- December 23, 2024 2 MIN READ

Schools-focused digital skills e-learning platform in Grok Academy has survived a near-death experience following allegations of inappropriate behaviour by its founder and former CEO, is rebuilding under the ownership and management of Adelaide’s KIK Innovation. KIK, which delivers the tuition-free coding school 42 Adelaide, stuck a deal to acquire Grok Academy last month. It came… Read more »

Guilluame Ang
AI/Machine Learning

Martech startup Upflowy is launching a neuroscience-based marketing AI copilot

- December 17, 2024 2 MIN READ

Sydney marketing technology startup Upflowy is about to release an AI-enabled marketing copilot, called ‘Psyke’, to help agencies, marketing teams, and companies create content that’s on-brand in hours, not weeks. Cofounder and CEO Guillaume Ang said Upflowy’s focus is delivering trust in AI at scale. “We help companies do the marketing functions that take up a… Read more »

Accelerator

The WA government is sending 12 startups to the US under a new accelerator program

- December 10, 2024 2 MIN READ

Twelve Western Australian tech companies are heading to the US as part of a new accelerator program funding by the state government. Innovation and digital economy minister Stephen Dawson said the Cook Labor government’s Global Growth Accelerator Program (GGAP) kicks off in January with a three-month course to prepare the dozen startups for an international market.… Read more »