Bowen, we have lift off. In the end Gilmour Space’s 23-metre-high, 30-tonne orbital rocket didn’t rise more than 100-metres in the air before crashing after 14 seconds of flight, but finally, after several attempts, the Australian-designed and made rocket took off just after 8.30am, AEST. “Got off the pad , I am happy. Of course… Read more »
Queensland-based superannuation fund Brighter Super will invest $50 million into local startups in a partnership with state government-backed investment manager QIC. The Brighter Super mandate will invest in startups expected to deliver strong investment returns, create jobs and have a positive impact on Queensland’s innovation landscape and economy. The project has already seen QIC back… Read more »
Queensland rocket builder Gilmour Space Technologies is hoping tomorrow will at long last be their chance to launch the first orbital space flight in 50 years from Australia. History was almost made today before the launch attempt for Eris TestFlight1 from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport, about 200km outside Townsville, was scrubbed late on July 29… Read more »
One of the world’s fastest growing AI startups, Swedish “vibe-coding” unicorn Lovable, with A$2.75 billion valuation just eight months after its launch, has teamed up with Australia’s Build Club to launch Lovable Learning Academy. It’s a platform of Lovable’s hands‑on curriculum and designed to help anyone go from zero to launching a live vibe-coded app,… Read more »
INXS topped Triple J’s Hottest 100 Australian songs of all time with Port Adelaide’s unofficial anthem, Never Tear Us Apart – this writer is devastated TISM’s Whatareya? and Joe Dolce’s 1981 anthem Shaddap You Face failed to crack the ton – on the weekend, but it’s not the only top 100 in town. Tweed Heads… Read more »
WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) has named Zubin Appoo, a long-time collaborator with founder Richard White as the logistics software company’s new CEO. He takes over, effective immediately, from interim CEO Andrew Cartledge, WiseTech’s former CFO, who had to step into the role following the resignation of White last October amid claims of inappropriate workplace behaviour, which… Read more »
Artificial intelligence is changing the online search and marketing landscape and a marketing startup, hoping to ride the new wave for small business has raised a $2 million pre-Seed round. Hall, founded in 2023, is the brainchild of former Dovetail and Atlassian designer Kai Forsyth. The raise was backed by Blackbird. The martech startup is… Read more »
An Irish-Australian teenager’s second startup in just 12 months has raised US$1.4 million (A$2.15m) in pre-Seed funding during a holiday Down Under to visit his grandparents. Liam Fuller, now 18, wasn’t old enough to drink beer when secured the raise for QuickFind AI, an agentic AI ordering system for retail procurement, after cold-calling local VCs.… Read more »
AI-augmented longevity startup Everlab has raised $15 million (US$10m) for its preventative care platform. The round was led by New York and London-based VC Left Lane Capital, with support from existing investor AfterWork Ventures. The cash will be used on international expansion, further development of the platform, and integrated products. Everlab previously raised $3 million… Read more »
Mable – think Airtasker for aged care and disability support workers – is hoping to become a unicorn 11 years after its founding if it find a buyer willing to pay $1 billion. The Australian’s DataRoom reports that the gig economy platform has put up the For Sale sign with a 10-figure price tag, even… Read more »
The NSW government is spending $2.8 million in grants to install 549 new kerbside chargers for electric vehicles across 130 suburbs, between Newcastle and Wollongong over the 12 months. EV Kerbside Charging Grants were awarded to five companies: Charge Post, Connected Kerb, EVX, Plus ES and EF Asset Management, which will contribute a combined $2.2… Read more »
When Halter raised a $155 million Series D last month, turning the Kiwi agtech scaleup into a unicorn, Icehouse Ventures was once again among the investors. Now the New Zealand VC is gearing up to back the next wave of Kiwi tech startups and has already secured NZ$15 million in commitments towards a new $30… Read more »
Sydney adtech startup Linkby has raised US$15 million (A$23m) in a Series B to expand its US presence. The round was led by Boston VC Volition Capital, making its first Australian investment. Alongside Linkby’s US expansion, the 5-year-old startup will invest in developing its platform, which helps media publishers monetise content with brands seeking their… Read more »
Brisbane biotech startup creating lactoferrin, a key protein in human breast milk, using precision fermentation, after securing $7 million in funding. The investment for Eclipse Ingredients includes $2.9 million from the federal government’s Food and Beverage Accelerator, as well as backing from Silicon Valley investor AgFunder. Eclipse hopes to launch its first product in 2027,… Read more »
Matt Vitale, cofounder of equity crowdfunding platform Birchal, has returned to startup life after a six-month recharge with a new venture, using AI in regulated sectors. New Dialogue is an enterprise AI platform for organisations to deploy open-source large language models (LLMs) in secure environments. Vitale and founder Tod Pedler have spun out New Dialogue… Read more »
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