Blackbird-backed job simulations edtech Forage exits to US merger
Australian job-simulation edtech Forage has been bought by US education company EAB on undisclosed terms; the story also recalls its accelerator days and earlier venture raises.
Corporate / CVC · 2 deals
San Francisco, OS
Every published round Telstra Ventures 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forage | Series B | 2021 | $35m | Participant | Startup Daily, Forbes Australia, Blackbird Ventures portfolio | |
| OpenSolar | Series B | 13 Jan 2023 | $22m | Lead | Startup Daily (10 Oct 2025), SmartCompany (10 Oct 2025), SmartCompany (13 Jan 2023), Startup Daily (12 Jan 2023) |
Companies Telstra Ventures has backed in a published round, and companies whose existing shares it bought off another holder.
Fund closes reported for Telstra Ventures, as distinct from the investments it has made.
| Fund | Announced | Committed | Target | Close | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund III | 13 Sep 2022 | $500m | - | Final | Techboard, Startup Daily (3 Oct 2022), Startup Daily (13 Sep 2022) |
Companies Telstra Ventures has backed that another company then bought. An exit for the holding, not a deal Telstra Ventures did.
Stories naming Telstra Ventures. Where several outlets covered the same round, they are bundled under whichever ran the fullest account.
Australian job-simulation edtech Forage has been bought by US education company EAB on undisclosed terms; the story also recalls its accelerator days and earlier venture raises.
Newsletter roundup covering Australian raises by Gilmour Space, BlockTexx, FirstWave and Bandicoot, acquisitions of Alumina, Cyanco, Quality Air Equipment and Amentco, plus takeover interest in CSR and Prospa.
Techboard's September 2022 roundup reports Australian raises led by Morse Micro's $140m Series B, several acquisitions including ResApp Health to Pfizer, fund closes by Telstra Ventures, OIF and Main Sequence, and open raises.
Early-2023 roundup of startup raises: a solar software company closed a Series B, an adventure-tech firm landed Series A money, and an angel investing platform raised seed capital.
Solar design platform OpenSolar has closed a Series B led by Telstra Ventures with 2150 and existing backers, funding expansion of its free contractor software used across more than 130 countries.
Ignition Lane's weekly tech roundup covering fresh Australian startup raises, new venture funds and closes, a wave of acquisitions, delistings and a liquidation, executive moves, and Canva's product launch.
Also Techboard·Startup Daily
Telstra Ventures has completed a third fund worth half a billion dollars, drawing on dozens of new and existing backers, with early cheques already written into fifteen companies including FTX and Forage.
Also Startup Daily·Techboard
Victoria's startup agency has picked a new fund-of-funds firm started by two ex-Hostplus investors to build a state-backed vehicle, with the government cornerstone committed and a matching private raise still to come.
Perth healthcare booking platform HealthEngine has completed its Series E round, securing up to $30 million from Inspire Impact's newly launched $350 million impact fund, with board representation and impact targets attached.
Also Startup Daily