This Week in Australian Startups #174, 16th August 2026
Australian startups raised funds including Alloy Robotics, Farmbot and Atmo Biosciences. Firmus Technologies acquired Benmax while Tabcorp bought BetMakers. SafetyCulture rebranded to Mitti.
Venture capital fund · 2 deals
Every published round Builders VC took part in, and every parcel of existing shares it bought off another holder. Deals we hold but haven't published yet are not counted.
| Company | Stage | Announced | Amount | Role | Alongside | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranchbot | Series B | 13 Aug 2026 | $22m+ | Participant | AgFunderNews, Dealroom | |
| Farmbot | Series B | 14 Aug 2026 | $22m | Participant | SmartCompany |
Companies Builders VC has backed in a published round, and companies whose existing shares it bought off another holder.
Fund closes reported for Builders VC, as distinct from the investments it has made.
Companies Builders VC has backed that another company then bought. An exit for the holding, not a deal Builders VC did.
Stories naming Builders VC. Where several outlets covered the same round, they are bundled under whichever ran the fullest account.
Australian startups raised funds including Alloy Robotics, Farmbot and Atmo Biosciences. Firmus Technologies acquired Benmax while Tabcorp bought BetMakers. SafetyCulture rebranded to Mitti.
Eight Australian and New Zealand startups secured a combined $67.4 million in funding across various sectors including agtech, medtech, robotics, and fintech.
Ranch Bot, an Australian internet-of-things firm for ranch water and livestock management, has banked a Series B round from Lewis & Clark Partners and five co-investors, reorganising under a new US parent.
Also AgFunderNews
Weekly agrifoodtech roundup reporting numerous funding rounds including Aphea.Bio, Bobbie and Sensand, a Coca-Cola-backed venture fund close, Do Good Foods' bankruptcy filing, and The Andersons acquiring Bridge Agri Partners.
Also AgFunderNews
Weekly roundup of agrifoodtech venture raises across food and agtech, plus JBS shutting its Planterra alt-protein division and Australian startup Optomni's seed round.