David Hu

Cheque-in: 8 startups gobbled up $572.12 million in funding this week

Weekly roundup of eight raises totalling $572.12 million, led by Firmus's $500 million round; RAGE Biotech, SunDrive, Number 8 Bio, Fabra, Keeyu, MyGig and Drone-Hand also funded, plus two RAGE Biotech executive appointments.

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Solar innovator Sundrive maps out plan for 5GW of Australian PV manufacturing

Breakthrough solar panel startup SunDrive teams up with Sydney University on $2.78 million research project

ARENA has awarded $2.78 million to a University of Sydney professor partnering with SunDrive on perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. The piece also recalls SunDrive's $21 million Series B and names its backers.

NSW grants $3 million to Cannon-Brookes backed solar cell innovator

NSW Environmental Trust grants $3 million to solar innovator SunDrive within a $6.5 million allocation shared with Hysata, Southern Green Gas and Quickstep; SunDrive's recent series A drew CEFC alongside Blackbird and Grok Ventures.

Also @AuManufacturing

Malcolm Turnbull and Atlassian, Tesla and Canva bosses back solar startup in $21 million Series B

Solar cell maker SunDrive has raised a $21 million Series B led by Main Sequence Ventures, with CEFC, Grok and Blackbird investing, and first-time backers including Turnbull, Denholm and Adams.

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SunDrive fabricates first ever full-size solar panel

Solar startup SunDrive has produced its first full-size panels using copper-based cells, a manufacturing milestone after September's efficiency record; the piece recalls backing from Cannon-Brookes, ARENA and Blackbird Ventures.

SunDrive, backed by Cannon-Brookes, produces first panel with record-busting solar cell

UNSW spin-out SunDrive has made its first full-size rooftop panel using record-efficiency copper-based cells; the piece recalls the $9 million ARENA grant it won in October 2020.

Also RenewEconomy