Ledger. Australian venture funding, tracked

Investor · 4 deals

BlackRock

Global investment firm and owner of Akaysha Energy

Coverage

Stories naming BlackRock. Where several outlets covered the same round, they are bundled under whichever ran the fullest account.

2 deals

Brisbane Airport out, Moreton Bay in: PsiQuantum picks new site for its $940m quantum computer build

PsiQuantum has relocated its $940m government-backed quantum computing project to Moreton Bay after dropping the Brisbane Airport site, with groundbreaking set for June following timeline slippage flagged in Senate Estimates.

Also Startup Daily·Startup Daily

4 deals

Crunchbase Predicts: 15 Companies That Could Go Public In 2026 As The IPO Market Gains Momentum

Crunchbase's 2026 forecast lists fifteen late-stage companies it deems probable or very likely IPO candidates, profiling each with past raises, valuations and secondary sales; Australia's Canva makes the list.

Unnamed stage $460m

One of Australia’s biggest battery storage developers completes its first project

Akaysha Energy has completed Ulinda Park in Queensland, its maiden grid-scale battery, while reporting its Waratah project remains at reduced output and that its Elaine development has secured project financing.

Also RenewEconomy

Exit / M&A

Edify to accelerate giant solar and battery hybrid projects after $1.1 billion buyout by Canada's La Caisse

Canadian investor La Caisse has agreed to buy Australian solar and storage developer Edify Energy for $1.1 billion, aiming to fast-track two major hybrid projects, subject to regulatory approvals.

Also RenewEconomy

6 deals

The IPO Market Is Opening Up. These 14 Companies Could Be Next.

Crunchbase News profiles 14 venture-backed companies its predictive models flag as likely IPO candidates, from Stripe to Sierra Space, recapping their funding histories, valuations and financial milestones.

3 deals

Labor bets big on quantum with $1 billion deal for PsiQuantum and multimillion-dollar Sydney Uni hub

The Australian federal and Queensland governments are investing $940m in PsiQuantum, which will open a Brisbane regional headquarters; $18.4m will fund a national quantum centre at the University of Sydney.

Also Dealroom·Forbes Australia·SmartCompany·SmartCompany·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·Startup Daily·Startup Daily·Startup Daily·Forbes Australia

Funding announcement

Mike Cannon-Brookes names former Macquarie banker Tan Kueh as Grok's CEO

Mike Cannon-Brookes' investment vehicle Grok Ventures has hired Tan Kueh, ex-Macquarie, UBS and BlackRock, as CEO, joining CIO Jeremy Kwong-Law, as it sharpens its strategy around climate investing.

2 deals

US-backed payroll software co Humanforce is the latest owner of fintech Earnd

Humanforce has bought Wagestream's Australian arm, formerly Earnd, for an undisclosed sum. The article recalls Earnd's 2019 raise, its sale to Greensill, rescue by Wagestream, an A$81m Series C, and Humanforce's earlier acquisitions.

26 deals

FUNDED August 2022

Techboard's monthly roundup tallies August 2022 private funding at $207m across 22 deals, listing the month's raises, BlackRock's acquisition of Akaysha Energy, One Click Life's reverse takeover listing, and several fund closes.

Also Startup Daily

Exit / M&A

US investment giant BlackRock makes a $1 billion battery play in Australia, acquiring Melbourne startup Akaysha Energy

BlackRock's climate infrastructure arm is buying Melbourne battery storage developer Akaysha Energy, planning to spend A$1 billion building 1GW of storage for Australia's grid, with FIRB approval already granted.

Also RenewEconomy·Techboard·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy

Series C $236m

Sydney startup Earnd, now Wagestream, raises $236M Series C to bring financial wellbeing to employees

UK pay-access fintech Wagestream, formed from Sydney's Earnd, secured a A$236 million Series C — equity led by Smash Capital with Silicon Valley Bank debt — to expand beyond Britain, including across Australia.

Also Startup Daily

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