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 Lewis & Clark Partners 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+ | Lead | AgFunderNews, Dealroom | |
| Farmbot | Series B | 14 Aug 2026 | $22m | Lead | SmartCompany |
Companies Lewis & Clark Partners has backed in a published round, and companies whose existing shares it bought off another holder.
Fund closes reported for Lewis & Clark Partners, as distinct from the investments it has made.
Companies Lewis & Clark Partners has backed that another company then bought. An exit for the holding, not a deal Lewis & Clark Partners did.
Stories naming Lewis & Clark Partners. 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.
AgFunderNews roundup of agrifood funding raises, executive appointments, shutdowns and partnerships, including Ranchbot's Series B, ClimateAi and Cultimate shutting down, and Novonesis seeking sole control of MicroBioGen.
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