Funding

‘This is devastating; this is crazy’: the Victorian government is killing off its successful startup agency, LaunchVic, to save money

- December 5, 2025 5 MIN READ

The Victorian government will wind down startup support agency LaunchVic and rework technology investment fund Breakthrough Victoria as part of broader public sector reforms set to save the state $4 billion. The decision has rattled the state’s startup sector, and spells an uncertain future for state-backed accelerators, grants, and investment funds tailored to local talent.… Read more »

Breaking Bad, money pile
Investing

Super ideas: Treasurer Jim Chalmers scraps the biggest threat to startup investment – the unrealised gains tax on superannuation

- October 13, 2025 4 MIN READ

Federal treasurer Jim Chalmers has abandoned plans to tax the unrealised gains of large superannuation balances, a controversial move that raised alarm bells for investors in early-stage startups. The change ends fears that angel investors, who often back startups from self-managed super funds (SMSFs) would vanish had the government implemented the new rule as part… Read more »

Business

Brighter Super is tipping $50 million into startups via the state government’s Queensland Investment Commission

- July 30, 2025 2 MIN READ

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 »

Purpose Ventures partners Derek and Kylie Gerrard
Funding

Western Australia launches $150 million startup investment program, backing 7 VCs with $45m

- December 5, 2024 2 MIN READ

Seven venture capital firms will look to invest up to $150 million in Western Australian startups underpinned by a $45 million commitment from the state government’s WA Venture Capital initiative (WAVC). Premier Roger Cook announced an additional $15 million for WAVC at West Tech Fest in Perth, topping up the government’s initial $30m commitment. Cook… Read more »

Elliot Spiegel
Venture Capital

How to angel: a new education platform is teaching early-stage investors about backing startups

- August 15, 2024 2 MIN READ

Startup investment marketplace Inhouse Ventures has developed a new platform to teach aspiring early-stage investors the art of angel investing. Inhouse Ventures cofounder Elliot Spiegel said AngelClass is also designed reduce the friction out of startup funding, automating the process and matching with investors and venture capitalists to make funding faster. It also includes a… Read more »

Eraring power plant
Business

Energy giant Origin grabs a chunk of power consumption reduction startup Climatech Zero

- July 2, 2024 2 MIN READ

Power giant Origin Energy has taken a 20% stake in six-year-old energy management startup Climatech Zero for an undisclosed sum. The business was spun out of the merger of Sydney mechanical services (ie. air conditioning, heating, ventilation and plumbing) design and construction firm Climatech Group and Irish sustainability software business CoolPlanet, in 2018 before rebranding… Read more »

child, money
Investing

Is share liquidity a problem to be solved for crowdfunding investors?

- July 5, 2023 4 MIN READ

After an admittedly late start, crowdfunding is certainly coming of age in Australia. As was rightly pointed out recently by Birchal Co-Founder Matt Vitale, that Australian crowdsourced funding (CSF) platforms have raised $240 million for 320 start-up companies over the past five years is an unqualified success. Accessing otherwise unavailable investment opportunities in high growth… Read more »