Sam Altman

🇦🇺 This Week in Australian Startups #180, 4th October 2026

Weekly roundup reporting Australian startup funding rounds and government grants, a venture fund close, agreed acquisitions, an IPO pricing, a collapse, plus executive hires and AI policy developments.

AI data centre startup Firmus eyes off another $725 million raise as it readies to IPO on the ASX

Sydney-founded AI data centre company Firmus, now Singapore-based, says Coatue and Nvidia are set to back its next US$505 million raise before a planned ASX listing, after earlier raises including Nvidia's A$330 million.

Also SmartCompany·SmartCompany·iTnews

From SaaS to SaiS: A River of Inquiry into how AI is unlocking vertical SaaS

A Blackbird partner argues AI has revived vertical software by turning hard-to-sell customers into product-led buyers, noting the firm recently backed three such startups and recalling Aconex's sale to Oracle.

Also buildxact.com

Neural Notes: Phonely's US$500,000 boost sets the tone for AI receptionists

Phonely, a Melbourne maker of AI receptionists, has secured US$500,000 from Y Combinator to fund team growth and new languages; shorter items note an AI board advisor, a government AI program, and OpenAI news.

Also SmartCompany