An Australian-US startup that’s developed an AI-based customer support agent used by the likes of Chemist2U and Eucalyptus to solve complex problems has raised US$5 million ($7.3m) in Seed funding. Lorikeet, named after the colourful and garrulous Australian parrot, was founded in mid-2023 (originally as Optech) by US-based former Stripe executive Steve Hind and former Google… Read more »
A booking and event management platform beloved by local councils has raised $5 million in its first external round after seven years of bootstrapping. The raise for Attekus was led by Five V Venture Capital, with support from Queensland government-backed QIC Ventures. Attekus was founded in 2017 by Tom Muller and Andrew Cutler, who worked… Read more »
The Queensland government has backed regional NSW biotech startup Cauldron Ferm to build a biomanufacturing facility in the state’s tropical north. The Sunshine State support under the $415 million Industry Partnership Program (IPP) follows a recent $4.3 million federal government grant. The size of the investment, ahead of Queenslanders going to the polls on October… Read more »
Melbourne biotech startup Cartherics has raised $15 million as it looks to begin trials of its cell therapy product for ovarian cancer. Cartherics, founded in 2015 by Alan Trounson, Bob Moses, and doctors Richard Boyd, Ian Nisbet and Peter Hudson, is developing immune cell therapies to treat cancer and other diseases. The startup previously raised $26… Read more »
Retail media adtech Zitcha has raised $15 million in a Series A as it looks to set up shop in the US. The round was led by US fund VMG Partners with support from existing investor OIF Ventures, which backed 2022’s $4.7 million Seed raise. It’s VMG Technology’s – the firm’s stage-agnostic venture arm –… Read more »
Seven Kiwi startups spanning space, health and cleantech have scored NZ$17.5 million in government funding under the country’s Ārohia Trailblazer grants program. The program, administered by the New Zealand government’s innovation agency, Callaghan Innovation, backs startups with global potential. Callaghan Innovation chief product officer Brett Calton said Astrix Astronautics, Basis NZ, Emrod, Fabrum Solutions, Toku… Read more »
Two Tractor Ventures OGs have teamed up to help deeptech founders with their funding plans. Warwick Donaldson’s CapXcentric has partnered with GROUP GROUP, the new specialist advisory and storytelling curation firm founded by Garry Williams. CapXcentric helps Australian technology startups access funding on the best terms, from the most appropriate investors. works with a range… Read more »
HUB24 (ASX: HUB) has ponied up with startup Reach Reach Alternative Investments with a strategic investment for a minority stake. The teams of the deal were not disclosed, but earlier this year Reach had been on the hunt for $3 million at a $15m valuation. The three-year-old Sydney fintech previously raised $2.2 million in a… Read more »
Sydney legaltech startup Mary Technology has raised $1.35 million to enlist artificial intelligence to transform one of the most laborious and costly parts of case preparations – a chronology draft. The round was led by Empress Capital with support from Sam Nickless, CEO of Gilbert + Tobin, The Fund, Sydney Angels and Mark Kalajzich and… Read more »
Migration process platform Matilda launches this week after raising $1 million in a pre-Seed round The raise was led by AfterWork Ventures, with support from Victoria Denholm’s Wollemi Capital, Everywhere VC, Co-Ventures and Startmate. This funding is to accelerate the development of the Matilda platform. which aims to make migration more streamlined and stress-free. Cofounder… Read more »
A hospitality operations management platform used by cult frozen yogurt chain Yo-Chi has raised $5.1 million in Seed funding as it eyes off US expansion. Restoke.ai, founded in 2020, is the brainchild of former chef and restaurateur Assaf Stizki and machine learning specialist Ken Brand. The artificial intelligence-based management platform integrates with existing restaurant systems… Read more »
Consumer debt collection fintech InDebted has raised $50 million in a Series C that values the scaleup at more than $350 million The round was led by Airtree and supported by Australian Retirement Trust and new growth fund Premier Capital Partners. Existing shareholders Reinventure, Carthona and Perennial also chipped in. Indebted previously raised $22.5 million… Read more »
Startup advisory and investment business Scalare Partners is back in the hunt for $8 million to list on the ASX, after the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) lifted its interim stop orders on the prospectus for a reverse takeover of confectionery maker Candy Club Holdings (ASX: CLB). Last week the corporate regulator intervened today… Read more »
Estate management platform Willed has raised $3 million in a fresh round that sees Seven West Media join the cap table as the startup looks to ramp up its marketing. Seven’s (ASX:SWM) strategic investment through its venture arm also includes an option for a further $3m, as the startup uses the media platform to increase its… Read more »
Cash management fintech Primary has raised $3.5 million in Seed funding to help small business puts its capital to better use. The round was round led by Carthona Capital, supported by local funds Macdoch Ventures, Archangel, AfterWork Ventures, and Ari Klinger’s No Brand, as well as Singapore’s Resolution Ventures. Carthona partner Damian Fox will join… Read more »
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