Funding

Investors are shifting the focus from fintech to climate startups in 2022

- March 1, 2022 3 MIN READ

The age of fintech for investors is shifting to climate tech startups in 2022, a landmark report into Australia’s startup ecosystem reveals. The inaugural State of Australian Startup Funding report, from Folklore Ventures and Cut Through Venture, has analysed data from more than 800 Australian founders and startup investors for a comprehensive look into the… Read more »

Jeremy Pollak
Funding

Hybrid work startup Calven raises $6.8 million seed round

- February 28, 2022 2 MIN READ

Sydney future of work startup Calven has raised $6.8 million in seed funding as it looks to tackle hybrid work culture. The round was led by Sydney VC Airtree, and several strategic backers, including Herbert Smith Freehills partner Michael Gonski and the Gonski family office. Calven co-founder Jeremy Pollak, a veteran of workplace technology consulting… Read more »

Julie Stevanja & Sali Sasi
Funding

Stylerunner twins raise $1.6 million for their new shopping startup, Her Black Book

- February 28, 2022 2 MIN READ

A new shopping app developed by the twin sisters behind Stylerunner has raised $1.6 million in seed funding. The round was led by former banking exec Andrew Hagger, CEO of Fortescue founder Andrew Forest’s family investment firm, Tattarang and his charity arm, the Minderoo Foundation, supported by ASX-listed Touch Ventures, plus others. Sisters Sali Sasi… Read more »

Funding

Climate tech software startup Cecil raises $2.2 million

- February 25, 2022 2 MIN READ

Land restoration and carbon capture startup Cecil has raised $2.2 million in pre-seed capital. The round was led by agritech-focused VC Tenacious Ventures with participation from Macdoch Ventures and Global Founders Capital. As part of the investment Tenacious general partner Sarah Nolet will join the startup’s board. Cecil simplifies the process of managing and investing in natural assets in… Read more »

Scalapay
Funding

Wollongong fintech Scalapay bags a staggering $692 million Series B

- February 24, 2022 2 MIN READ

Australian-founded, Europe-focused buy-now-pay-later startup Scalapay has raised A$692 million in a debt and equity Series B. The round was led by Chinese tech powerhouse Tencent and US VC Willoughby Capital, with participation from existing backer Tiger Global, Gangwal, Moore Capital, Deimos, and Fasanara Capital. The fintech already hit unicorn status last year following a $210… Read more »

Rocket space ozone layer
Funding

LaunchVic chooses a new Fund-of-Funds firm to raise $60 million for the Victorian Startup Capital Fund

- February 23, 2022 2 MIN READ

A new Fund-of-Funds venture capital firm, formed by veterans of the super fund Hostplus VC team, has been chosen by the Victorian government to build LaunchVic’s $120 million Victorian Startup Capital Fund (VSCF).  Neil Stanford and Brighid Pappin have created V-Ignite to turn $60 million from the state government into $120 million for the VSCF.… Read more »

Funding

Customer experience startup Upflowy raises $6.6 million

- February 22, 2022 2 MIN READ

Sydney startup Upflowy has raised US$4 million (A$6.6 million) as the customer conversation platform looks to expand into the US market. San Francisco VC Counterpart Ventures led the round in its first Australian-based deal. Pre-seed investors Tidal, Global Founders Capital, Black Nova and Antler doubled down on the two-year-old company, which emerged out of Antler’s… Read more »

Funding

Bitcoin mining startup Arkon Energy raises $2.6 million in pre-seed capital

- February 22, 2022 2 MIN READ

Bitcoin mining venture Arkon Energy has raised $2.6 million in a pre-seed round. The round was led by blockchain investment firm Kestrel0x1, alongside strategic investors, such as trade services and renewable energy products provider, Linked Group Services, as well as other angel investors. The startup is using the funds to scale its bitcoin mining operations… Read more »

Funding

Small business carbon tracking software startup Trace raises $1.5 million

- February 22, 2022 2 MIN READ

GreenTech startup, Trace has raised $1.5 million as it looks to help small and medium sized companies (SMEs) track and manage their carbon emissions. The round was backed by 21 investors including private family office 5 Pillars Capital, existing investor Antler, The Fund, Epoch Capital, Existential Capital and several angel investors, including Envato co-founder Collis Ta’eed… Read more »

Funding

Aera VC builds $42 million war chest for climate breakthroughs

- February 22, 2022 2 MIN READ

Climate tech venture firm Aera VC has raised US$30 million (A$42m) in the first close of its new fund to back startups addressing sustainability and global warming. The new climate-focused fund has already backed Michael Fox’s alt-protein business Fable Foods, along with US-based chemical decarbonisation unicorn startup Solugen (valued at US$1.8bn) as well as Shiok Meats… Read more »

Larry Diamond
Funding

Zip co-founder Larry Diamond backs DeFi startup tiiik in $5.2 million seed round

- February 22, 2022 2 MIN READ

Australian DeFi startup Tiiik has raised $5.2 million in a Seed round backed by some leading fintech founders, including Zip’s Larry Diamond. The raise was co-led by Global Founders Capital and FinTech Collective, supported by DACM, B Digital, Decision Tree Capital, Investible, LedgerPrime, Ox Ventures, Athena Ventures, Double Peak, Valhalla Capital, Parsiq, Gate.io, NxGen and… Read more »