Jonny Dawson

Dom Pym discusses his journey from engineering to founding Up Bank and now investing via Euphemia, focusing on social good and underrepresented founders.

Daniel Johnson

Interview with Sydney angel investor Daniel Johnson covering his 71 investments, first backing of FloodMapp, and his group's recent takeover of document-automation software firm Tensis, where he now chairs.

Our Investment in Cartelux

Ten13 announces it led Cartelux's Series A alongside co-investor QIC, outlining the digital retail-marketing platform's founder Josh Williams, its automotive brand customers, traction across ten countries, and its global Google partnership.

Carl Hartmann

Interview with angel investor Carl Hartmann covering his Temando exit, co-founding Compono and Lyre's, what he looks for in founders, and his early-stage portfolio strategy.

TEN13's Natalie Collins on angel investing, enterprise sales, and finding founders doing their life's work

Interview with angel investor Natalie Collins, Woolworths Group commercial partnerships head, discussing her 25-startup portfolio, investment thesis and Coca-Cola Amatil venture background.

Korean hangover drink Bae Juice sculls $1 million for US push

Bae Juice, a Melbourne maker of Korean pear hangover drinks, banked $1 million from gaming billionaire Laurence Escalante's family office and returning backer Honan Capital, funding local growth and a US push.

Also SmartCompany·SmartCompany·Early VC·Early VC·Forbes Australia

ASX-listed VC Touch Ventures and its CEO part ways

ASX-listed venture fund Touch Ventures is parting with chief executive Hein Vogel; the piece recalls its 2021 $100 million listing, heavy write-offs on PlanPay and Till Payments, and Basiq's sale to Cuscal.

Hawk to take flight with Australian e-motor this year

Monash spin-out Kite Magnetics and Canada's CKD Aero unveil a battery-powered two-seater combining CKD's kit airframe with Kite's KM-60 motor, planning its first showing at July's EAA AirVenture expo in Wisconsin.

Micro-X reveals details of its in-ambulance CT scanner – video

Micro-X has released footage of its portable head scanner for diagnosing strokes in ambulances, built with $8 million flowing from a government grant to the Australian Stroke Alliance; EMVision is developing similar technology.

Monoova appoints new CCO and General Counsel as demand for digital payments set to soar

Payments firm Monoova adds David Greene as chief commercial officer and confirms Shen Yin's move to general counsel and company secretary, citing rising demand for instant digital payment services.

Queensland renewables startup Redback Technologies placed in voluntary administration

Brisbane solar battery maker Redback Technologies has entered voluntary administration, with McGrathNicol appointed on 5 March; the firm keeps trading while a sale or recapitalisation is sought.

Also RenewEconomy·Startup Daily

Nullify secures $5.2 million for its code-scanning cybersecurity bot

Nullify has landed a $5.2m seed round for its AI-powered code vulnerability scanner, backed by Two Sigma and Root Ventures, with a Bugcrowd director also investing. The founders formerly taught cybersecurity at UNSW.

Also SmartCompany·Early VC·Early VC

On track to reduce resources emissions

The renewable energy agency funds Aurizon's battery-electric wagon trial with partner Alta Battery Technology, aiming to decarbonise freight for the resources sector.

The ripple effect of investing in women in practice

SeenCulture's founder marks IWD by profiling four women who backed her HR-tech startup's growth: a mentor, its first investor, its operations head and an adviser, recalling its first cheque and Techstars Sydney cohort.

RECCE uses innovative method to bring forward R&D incentive

Recce Pharmaceuticals secures an $11.2m advance from Endpoints Capital against its research rebate, plus a record $54.9m federal overseas finding, easing pressure on its drug-development spending.

Also Early VC

Aurizon to trial battery-electric tender on freight train

Australia's renewable energy agency has granted the nation's top rail freight operator $9.4 million to develop and trial a large onboard battery helping power a freight locomotive, built with a battery technology partner.

Also RenewEconomy

Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.

Breakthrough Victoria marks International Women's Day with an interview with Smileyscope CEO and co-founder Dr Evelyn Chan on her journey from pediatrics to leading the pediatric headset startup it backs.

Eleanor Salt and Melissa Ran sign on with Innovation Bay

Innovation Bay hires Eleanor Salt as community manager and former Airtree community head Melissa Ran as investment ambassador for its Horizon angel network, Startup Daily reports.

Decarbonising transport across Western Australia

ARENA is granting $21.8 million across three Western Australian projects, funding Centurion's electric trucks, Patrick Terminals' port fleet and WALGA's local government EV rollout under the Driving the Nation Program.

Boost for electric vehicle rentals and second-hand car market

ARENA awards Europcar Mobility Group $4.76 million from the Driving the Nation Program to deploy electric rental vehicles and chargers across Australia, with Ampol partnering on charging infrastructure.

The ten richest women in Australia, according to the AFR

Profiles Australia's ten wealthiest women from the AFR's new list, alongside Canva's in-progress share sale, a large gift to a global gender-fund vehicle, and one backer's earlier healthtech round.

Also quadrantpe.com.au·Forbes Australia

Liquor Loot collapses into administration in latest setback to online alcohol retail

Sydney spirits subscription startup Liquor Loot has entered insolvency, with administrators appointed; the piece recalls its 2020 seed raise and similar collapses at BoozeBud and Gintonica.

Also Startup Daily

“Going full force”: Inside Oz Hair and Beauty’s multi-million dollar retail expansion

Profile of Oz Hair and Beauty, which is deploying its 2021 investment from Edison Growth Fund, Accent Group, Daniel Agostinelli and Brett Blundy to open nine stores, aiming for 15 by end-2024.

Four Aussie startups that raised $29 million this week

Roundup of four Australian startups that each announced fresh capital this week: a caregiver healthcare app, a green ammonia producer, a clean energy project modelling platform, and a wellness advice marketplace.

Also SmartCompany

Redflow looks deeper into making flow batteries in Australia, backed by grant

Brisbane flow battery maker Redflow has won a Queensland government grant of up to $1.12 million toward a feasibility study for a large local battery factory.

Also RenewEconomy

Valiant Space in-orbit propulsion system launched

Valiant Space's VS-1 thruster has reached orbit aboard Space Machines Company's Optimus servicing vehicle after flying on a Falcon 9, with its development backed by an Australian Space Agency grant programme.

Victorian AI scale-up Clear Dynamics appoints veteran Gartner analyst Neil McMurchy to Board of Directors

Australian enterprise-software firm Clear Dynamics has added a long-serving industry analyst to its board to help drive its partner strategy; the piece also outlines its legacy-modernisation platform aieos.

Wellness advice marketplace banks $1 million Seed round

Anni, a marketplace for paid wellbeing consultations, has raised $1 million from unnamed wealthy backers within months of its October 2023 launch. Its chief executive earlier held a founding role at Harvest Technology Group.

Spacetech startups score $9 million in latest Moon to Mars grants

Twelve Australian spacetech companies received Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability grants totalling over $9m for NASA's Artemis, with NextAero, Neumann Space, Metakosmos, Valiant Space, Gilmour Space Technologies and HEO Robotics among those funded.

Also Startup Daily·SmartCompany·@AuManufacturing·@AuManufacturing·@AuManufacturing

Perth-based health tech startup Anni raises $1 million for its on-demand platform

Perth wellness marketplace Anni has banked $1 million in seed capital from unnamed private backers, to be spent expanding its advice platform, with North America on its roadmap for late 2024.

Also SmartCompany·SmartCompany·Early VC·Early VC

Indigenous company's unique building framing system

Indigenous builder Warle Construction is commercialising a cyclone-resistant steel house-framing kit, backed by a $392,470 co-investment from a NT advanced manufacturing fund, with partners including Annge Consulting, Troppo Architects, Stantec and Vertex Australia.

Space Machines' Optimus satellite launched on SpaceX rocket

Space Machines Company says its Optimus orbital servicing vehicle, described as Australia's largest private satellite, lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, with Australian firms and research partners among those involved in the mission.

Small business lender Avenue is off its banking P plates

Avenue Bank, a Sydney lender to small businesses, has obtained a full banking licence from APRA, 18 months behind schedule; the article recalls its $37m Series B, Liberty's backing, and neobank failures and sales.

Japan partner launches bid for Australia’s only listed renewables and storage company

RenewEconomy reports J-Power's $380 million takeover offer for ASX-listed Genex Power, a year after Skip Capital's failed attempt; the Japanese utility already owns a stake and has lent the company $35 million.

Also RenewEconomy

Green ammonia company Jupiter Ionics raises $9 million

Emissions-free ammonia developer Jupiter Ionics has raised $9 million, adding Breakthrough Victoria, CIMIC Group and Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers to its earlier backers, and also recalls a $2.65 million grant from 2022.

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Manufacturing roundup: Legrand buys NZ cable firm MSS; ClearVue lands a $4m placement; Nova Systems appoints Dean Rosenfield CEO; Diraq, having recently raised $29m, advertises 14 roles.

Also SmartCompany·@AuManufacturing·Startup Daily·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·Startup Daily·SmartCompany·SmartCompany·SmartCompany·Early VC·@AuManufacturing·Startup Daily

Australian space startup Esper wants to build hyperspectral sats for cheap

TechCrunch profile of Esper, an Australian startup preparing low-cost hyperspectral satellites, recalling its $1 million pre-seed close, grants from a foundation and the federal government, and a Techstars accelerator stint.

Dutch VC invests in Kismet's $8.2M round to connect caregivers, health insurance and care providers

Kismet, an Australian startup linking caregivers, insurers and care providers, raised $8.2 million in seed funding led by Prosus Ventures with Airtree Ventures, lifting its total raised to $10.8 million.

Also Startup Daily·SmartCompany·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·SmartCompany·SmartCompany·Early VC·Forbes Australia

New site chosen for Calix's Leilac low emission cement plant

Calix will build its Leilac-2 carbon-capture cement plant at Heidelberg Materials' Ennigerioh site in Germany after Hannover ended clinker production; the piece also notes Australian projects with Adbri, Boral and Pilbara Minerals.

Jupiter Ionics

Breakthrough Victoria puts $4 million into Jupiter Ionics' $9 million Series A for its green ammonia cell technology, alongside Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers and CIMIC Group.

Also @AuManufacturing·Startup Daily·SmartCompany·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·Startup Daily·Early VC

Early VC #4 - Gilmour raised $35M, Tracksuit's Series A, acquisitions of CSR and Alumina.

Newsletter roundup covering Australian raises by Gilmour Space, BlockTexx, FirstWave and Bandicoot, acquisitions of Alumina, Cyanco, Quality Air Equipment and Amentco, plus takeover interest in CSR and Prospa.

New support for 12 Australian space projects

Australia's government announces over $9 million in Moon to Mars grants for twelve space projects aligned with NASA's Artemis, helping local companies enter global supply chains.

The Australian Startup Having a Crack at the US Defence Market

Sydney satellite startup Quasar joins a US Air Force-backed Colorado accelerator cohort of seven companies, the sole non-American participant, to develop its phased array antenna technology for space tracking.

1komma5° makes “biggest” Australian investment in Queensland solar installer

Home energy group 1komma5° has invested in Queensland solar and storage firm Arkana Energy Group, its fourth and largest Australian purchase, following earlier deals for Natural Solar, Solaray Energy and Kozco Energy Group.

$3 million awarded to five antimicrobial resistance-related projects

Brandon BioCatalyst's CUREator biotech incubator has allocated $3 million across five antimicrobial resistance projects, with a UWA-linked nasal spray venture, Spritz-OM, receiving $500,000 toward Phase 1 clinical trials.

Australian launch industry to take off with new US agreement

Australia and the US have signed a Technology Safeguards Agreement easing American rocket launches from local spaceports, while Gilmour has banked an extra $55 million ahead of the debut flight of its Eris rocket.

Four ANZ startups that raised $22.8 million this week

Roundup of four trans-Tasman companies that secured capital: a Series A for a brand-tracking platform, a deeptech pre-seed, a drinks brand's seed round, and a crowdfunded driver-safety app.

VentureOn Partners Invest in OurProperty and Appoint Curtis Thomson as CEO

Brisbane VC firm VentureOn Partners announces an investment in proptech company OurProperty, with general partner Curtis Thomson taking the chief executive role; the firm also recently acquired Story Bridge Ventures and Proptech BNE.

Also VentureOn Partners portfolio·VentureOn Partners portfolio·Startup Daily

Superloop knocks back Aussie Broadband’s $466 million takeover bid as ‘opportunistic’

Superloop's board has rejected Aussie Broadband's merger proposal as too low, with Aussie already holding a 19.9% stake; the piece also recalls Superloop's VostroNet purchase and Aussie's Symbio buyout.

Antler Investor Memo Series: Deputy Network is the digital wallet brand loyalty programs need

Investor memo profiling Deputy Network, a blockchain-based digital wallet for loyalty programs, which Antler Australia backed pre-seed as part of its latest startup cohort.