The Startup Retro

Summary

In this week's episode of The Startup Retro, host Will Richards and guest host Cheryl Mack from Aussie Angels and The First Cheque podcast break down the latest in Australia's startup and venture capital ecosystem. They cover Square Peg's ambitious new funds, the 2023 financial results of Linktree, and a groundbreaking partnership that will see hypersonic rocket launches from South Australian spaceports in 2025. The duo also discuss SafetyCulture's latest $75M raise, Algenie’s mission to replace plastics with algae, and interview Emma Grife from Startmate about their latest cohort. The episode wraps up with a useful resource for B2B startups navigating their sales funnels.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

05:00 Square Peg’s New Funds

09:00 Linktree’s 2023 Financials

12:30 Hypersonic rocket launches in South Australia

15:00 SafetyCulture’s Latest Raise

18:30 Algenie’s plastic replacements using Algae

25:00 Interview with Emma Grife from Startmate

30:00 Knowledge as a Service (KaaS) Recommendations

Links

To get all the links to the stories we mentioned in this episode, you can read this week’s https://newsletter.overnightsuccess.vc/p/aussie-startup-vc-summary-14th-september

Headlines

• Square Peg’s New Funds
• Square Peg is raising $840M for its sixth fund, focusing on seed and Series A investments, with a minority stake strategy. They are also raising $210M for their Opportunities Fund 3, highlighting strong returns from Canva and challenges in recent vintages.
• Linktree’s 2023 Financials
• Linktree revealed a $61.6M loss for 2023, spending $2 for every $1 earned. Despite generating $42.8M in revenue, the startup cut its workforce by nearly half. The founders took $21M off the table in secondary sales.
• South Australian Hypersonic Rocket Launches
• Hypersonix Launch Systems will partner with Southern Launch to enable Mach 7 hypersonic rocket launches from South Australian spaceports by 2025, dependent on environmental assessments.

Startup Raises

• SafetyCulture
• Raised $75M in fresh capital with an additional $90M in secondaries at a $2.5B valuation. SafetyCulture plans to enhance its workplace solutions with AI-powered tools and IoT functionalities.
• Algenie
• Secured $1.1M in pre-seed funding to scale algae production as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and plastics. Algenie’s innovative photobioreactor system can produce 100 tonnes of algae annually, offering a scalable solution for carbon sequestration and renewable materials.

Interview

• Emma Grife from Startmate

Will speaks with Emma Grife from Startmate, discussing the latest cohort and how the accelerator is helping early-stage startups in Australia.

KaaS - Knowledge as a Service

• Will’s Pick 💁🏻‍♂️
• GTM Funnel Stages, Metrics, and Goals for B2B Startups by Unusual VC – A comprehensive guide on navigating B2B sales motions from awareness to close.

Send feedback to the hosts

1. Gemma on LinkedIn
2. Will on LinkedIn

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For broader updates on the Day One network, including news about other shows and network-wide updates, sign up for the Day One Newsletter. We are dedicated to creating content that helps Australian founders succeed.

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Summary

In this week's episode of The Startup Retro, host Will Richards and standing in for Gemma Clancy this week, Cheryl Mack, dive into Uber's new partnership with Turo after shutting down its Car Next Door acquisition. They also discuss Premier Capital Partners' new fund, AirTrunk’s $23 billion sale, and Cheryl’s experience at the Startup Daily Awards. The episode also features a deep dive into Safe Ag Systems, an agtech safety platform. Plus, catch the latest startup raises and Will’s pick for Knowledge as a Service (KaaS).

Time Stamps

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 00:28 Uber pivots to Turo partnership
• 05:15 Premier Capital Partners new fund
• 10:22 AirTrunk’s $23 billion sale
• 13:45 Startup Daily Awards highlights
• 20:15 Startup Raises: Safe Ag Systems
• 28:10 KaaS Recommendations

Links

To access the links to the stories mentioned in this episode, check out this week’s Overnight Success newsletter. https://newsletter.overnightsuccess.vc/p/7th-september-2024

Headlines

• Australian Startup Financial Confidence Report 2024
• Airwallex Report
• Uber’s Turo Partnership
• Uber has partnered with Turo to let users rent peer-to-peer vehicles through the Uber app starting in 2025.
• Premier Capital Partners Fund
• Premier Capital Partners is launching a fund targeting mid-market tech companies with a size of $30-$50 million and a hard cap of $75 million. The fund will write cheques between $5-$20 million.
• AirTrunk Sale
• AirTrunk was sold to Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for $23 billion, marking one of Australia’s largest acquisitions.
• AFR Article on AirTrunk Sale

Interview

• David Burt

In the interview, David Burt from UNSW Founders discusses the impact of Labor's proposed cap on international students and its potential effects on Australia's startup ecosystem, universities, and the broader economy.

Startup Raises

• Safe Ag Systems
• Founders: Katy Landt and Caroline Graham
• Safe Ag Systems, an agtech safety platform, raised $2.5 million to expand its reach to 10% of farm workers.

KaaS - Knowledge as a Service

• Will’s Pick 💁🏻‍♂️
• How to Do Great Work by Paul Graham

Send Feedback to the Hosts

• Cheryl on LinkedIn
• Will on LinkedIn

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of The Startup Retro possible.

Rippling

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The Day One NetworkThe Startup Retro is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.

For broader updates on the Day One network, including news about other shows and network-wide updates, sign up for the Day One Newsletter. We are dedicated to creating content that helps Australian founders succeed.

Summary

In this week's episode of The Startup Retro, hosts Gemma Clancy and Will Richards explore three exciting new funds and initiatives in the Australian startup ecosystem, including the launch of the $66 million 66ten fund by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, and Main Sequence's new Atmosphere program. They also cover the latest venture from SEEK co-founder Paul Bassett, Amplify, and discuss AustralianSuper's significant $1.1 billion write-off in their Pluralsight investment. The hosts highlight standout startups, including WhyHive, a data analysis tool, and Cropify, an AI-powered grain grading AgTech company. The episode also features an interview with Gav Parry on the launch of the Centre for Arts, Sports and Technology (CAST), and concludes with KaaS recommendations on essential startup content and a special announcement about a new co-host joining next week.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:28 New Fund Launches and Initiatives

06:12 Paul Bassett's Amplify

09:45 AustralianSuper's Pluralsight Write-off

12:40 Weekly Startup Raises

20:30 Interview with Gav Parry on CAST

28:00 KaaS Recommendations

30:45 Special Co-Host Announcement

31:00 Outro

Headlines

Three New Funds and Initiatives

• 66ten Fund: WEHI’s $66M fund to back biomedical innovation.
• Seedlab Australia: Secures an additional $7M from Woolworths to support food, drink, and sustainable products.
• Main Sequence’s Atmosphere: New program to transform cutting-edge research into venture-scale businesses.

Paul Bassett Launches Amplify

• Amplify aims to improve trust in democracy through events, online conversations, and sharing of evidence.

AustralianSuper Write-Off

• AustralianSuper writes off $1.1B in their Pluralsight investment, which had acquired A Cloud Guru in 2021.

Startup Raises

• WhyHive: A $600K raise led by Skalata Ventures, making data analysis user-friendly.
• Cropify: A $2M seed round for AI-powered precision grain grading, led by Mandalay Venture Partners.

KaaS - Knowledge as a Service

• Gemma’s Pick: Crucible Moments (Season 2) by Sequoia Capital, featuring founders of ServiceNow, YouTube, DoorDash, and more.
• Will’s Pick: Blog on common VC scams - OpenVC.

Special Announcement

• Cheryl Mack from Aussie Angels & The First Cheque podcast will join as a co-host next week while Gemma enjoys a vacation in Italy.  

Send feedback to the hosts

• Gemma on LinkedIn
• Will on LinkedIn

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of The Startup Retro possible.

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The Day One NetworkThe Startup Retro is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.

For broader updates on the Day One network, including news about other shows and network-wide updates, sign up for the Day One Newsletter. We are dedicated to creating content that helps Australian founders succeed. https://dayone.fm/newsletter

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In this week's episode of The Startup Retro, Gemma and Will explore Uber's decision to shut down Car Next Door, its Australian carshare division, after acquiring the startup for $105M. The hosts share some positive news from the startup ecosystem, including Sitemate’s acquisition of Nomad Fleet, Bindimaps securing a key partnership with Australia Post, and the latest developments in the SunCable renewable energy project. In the startup raises segment, the hosts spotlight space-tech innovator Metakosmos and childcare-focused AI startup LoveHeart.ai.

Time Stamps

00:00 - Acknowledgement of Country

00:30 - Intro music

01:00 - Welcome and episode preview

01:30 - Pre-roll ad

02:00 - Headlines

02:30 - Uber shuts down Car Next Door

07:30 - Sitemate acquires Nomad Fleet

09:00 - BindiMaps secures partnership with Australia Post

10:00 - SunCable project approved by Federal Government

12:00 - Startup Raises

12:30 - Gem’s Pick: Metakosmos

17:00 - Will’s Pick: LoveHeart.ai

20:00 - Mid-roll ad

25:00 - KaaS Recommendations

28:00 - Outro

Links

Headlines

• Uber scraps Carshare division after acquiring Aussie startup Car Next Door for $105M
• Sitemate acquires Nomad Fleet for $2M
• BindiMaps navigates a path to partnership with Australia Post
• SunCable solar farm in NT gets Federal government approval

Startup Raises

• Metakosmos
• LoveHeart.ai

KaaS Recommendations

Gem’s Pick

• Building B2B Startup Marketing Orgs from 1 to 25+, Emily Kramer (MKT1)

Will’s Pick

• Thrive, Consolidate or Die by Abhishek Maran (Rampersand)

Send feedback to the hosts

• Gemma on LinkedIn
• Will on LinkedIn

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of The Startup Retro possible.

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The Day One NetworkThe Startup Retro is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.

For broader updates on the Day One network, including news about other shows and network-wide updates, sign up for the Day One Newsletter. We are dedicated to creating content that helps Australian founders succeed. https://dayone.fm/newsletter

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Summary

In this week's episode of The Startup Retro, hosts Will and Gemma discuss the latest developments in the Breakthrough Victoria saga, including the departure of its CEO and ongoing legal battles with a founder. They also provide an update on the progress of the Future Made in Australia (FMiA) legislation, which is currently being debated in parliament. The hosts then cover the release of Australia's updated National Science and Research Priorities, focusing on key areas like net-zero transition and Indigenous knowledge systems. In addition, they highlight two new funds deploying capital into Aussie startups and feature their favourite startup raises of the week. To top it off, Gemma and Will interview Slice co-founder Farouk Ismail, who shares insights on their decision to take international funding and offers advice on expanding into the US market. The episode concludes with their Knowledge as a Service (KaaS) podcast recommendations.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:12 Breakthrough Victoria CEO Departure & Legal Battle

06:48 FMiA Legislation Update

10:42 National Science and Research Priorities Release

15:25 New Funds - CoVentures & Proto Axiom

21:13 Weekly Startup Raises

27:50 Interview with Slice Co-founder Farouk Ismail

43:21 KaaS Recommendations

48:12 Outro

Headlines

Breakthrough Victoria

• CEO exits amid ongoing legal battle with a founder.

FMiA Update

• Heated debate continues in parliament.
• The government could proceed with the funding regardless of the legislation’s outcome.

National Science and Research Priorities

• Minister Ed Husic outlines new imperatives for science investment in Australia.
• Key focus areas include transitioning to net-zero, supporting healthy communities, elevating Indigenous knowledge systems, environmental restoration, and national security.

New Funds

• CoVentures, a single-GP fund managed by Maxine Minter, closes its first fund with $5M+. (Listen to Maxine’s show, First Cheque on the Day One network.)
• Proto Axiom emerges with new capital to deploy into Australian startups.

Startup Raises

Gemma's Pick: aglow

• Founders: Jo Blundell and Karl Margrain
• $1.25M raised
• Aglow is helping beauty businesses implement membership programs, moving them away from pay-as-you-go models towards predictable, recurring revenue streams. With 600+ salons onboarded and $16M in ARR, they are leading a shift in the beauty industry.

Will's Pick: DeCarice

• Founders: Goran Bozic and Professor Shawn Kook
• Pre-seed raise from Investible’s Climate Tech Fund
• DeCarice’s hydrogen injection technology is cutting carbon emissions by 85% in heavy-duty diesel engines, offering a scalable decarbonisation solution for mining and transport industries.

Interview

Slice's Farouk Ismail

• Farouk shares why Slice chose international funding and offers essential tips for Australian startups looking to break into the US market.

KaaS - Knowledge as a Service

Gemma's Pick 💁🏻‍♀️: Diaspora.nz

• A podcast showcasing the Kiwi expat community, hosted by David Booth, featuring conversations with founders, innovators, and emerging leaders.

Will's Pick 💁🏻‍♂️: The Startup Playbook

• A live recording of Leigh Jasper’s interview with Rohit from The Startup Playbook, featuring insights on growing a successful startup.

Send feedback to the hosts

• Gemma on LinkedIn
• Will on LinkedIn

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of The Startup Retro possible.

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The Day One NetworkThe Startup Retro is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.

For broader updates on the Day One network, including news about other shows and network-wide updates, sign up for the Day One Newsletter. We are dedicated to creating content that helps Australian founders succeed.

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Summary

In this week's episode of The Startup Retro, Gemma and Will explore the latest happenings in the Australian startup ecosystem. They discuss OneVentures' ambitious plans with their 7th fund, aiming to raise $200 million, and review the firm's impressive history. The hosts also highlight the new accelerator cohorts from Startmate and Remarkable, before diving into the significant US court ruling that declares Google an illegal monopoly. To round off the episode, they feature their top startup raises of the week, including Eyeonic's innovative glaucoma screening technology and Rich Data Co's AI-powered credit assessment platform.

Time Stamps

00:00 Acknowledgment of Country

00:30 Intro Music

01:00 Welcome and Overview

02:00 OneVentures’ 7th Fund Announcement

05:30 Startmate and Remarkable Accelerator Cohorts

09:00 US Court Ruling on Google as an Illegal Monopoly

12:00 Pulse Check Recap

15:00 Startup Raises

15:30 Gemma’s Pick: Eyeonic

21:00 Will’s Pick: Rich Data Co

25:30 Special Mention: Noveco Surfaces’ Recycled Glass Tiles

28:00 KaaS Recommendations

Links

Headlines

• OneVentures raising 7th VC fund, aiming for $200m (AFR)
• Startmate Accelerator Winter 24 cohort announcement (Startmate)
• Remarkable Accelerator cohort announcement (Smart Company)
• US Court decides Google is an illegal monopoly (The Conversation)
• Pulse Check Newsletter - August Edition

Startup Raises

• Eyeonic
• Company story video
• Rich Data Co
• Noveco Surfaces

KaaS - Knowledge as a Service

Our favourite startup-relevant read, listen or watch of the week

• Australia’s Sportstech Sector: Australian athletes aren’t the only ones winning on the global stage, by Will Richards

Gem’s Pick 💁🏻‍♀️

• How I Built Dis, The Imperfects Podcast (from The Resilience Project)

Will’s Pick 💁🏻‍♂️

• Two by Two - Capital Chronicles Newsletter by Joshua Boccamazzo

Send feedback to the hosts

• Gemma on LinkedIn
• Will on LinkedIn

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of The Startup Retro possible.

Rippling

Are you a founder overwhelmed by HR, payroll, onboarding, and IT tasks? Simplify with Rippling: an all-in-one platform for your global workforce.

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Teamified

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Get started 

The Day One NetworkThe Startup Retro is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.

For broader updates on the Day One network, including news about other shows and network-wide updates, sign up for the Day One Newsletter. We are dedicated to creating content that helps Australian founders succeed.

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Summary

In this week's episode of The Startup Retro, hosts, Will & Gemma delve into Canva's acquisition of Leonardo AI and feature an interview with Elli Hanson from Side Stage, one of Leonardo's investors. The hosts also discuss the South Australian Venture Capital Fund and the state government's independent report on its effectiveness and uncover the secret termination of the federal government's Boosting Female Founders (BFF) grant program. And to wrap up Gemma & Will highlight the latest startup raises, including Monty Compost, an industrial composting tool, and Slice, a bootstrapped fintech in the travel industry.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:28 Canva Acquires Leonardo AI

05:02 South Australian Venture Capital Fund Report

09:00 Boosting Female Founders Program Termination

15:37 Weekly Startup Raises

28:31 KaaS Recommendations

Links

To get all the links to the stories we mentioned in this episode, you can read this week’s Overnight Success newsletter. https://newsletter.overnightsuccess.vc/p/aussie-startup-vc-summary-3rd-august-2024

Headlines

• Canva Acquires Leonardo AI
• SAVCF Government Report
• Boosting Female Founders Program Termination

Startup Raises

Monty Compost

Founder: Ashley Baxter

Monty Compost, an organic waste recycling/composting IoT device with analytics software, has secured $1M from Skalata and Antler (QIC).

Slice

Founders: Yannick Darmalingam and Farouk Ismail

Slice, a Sydney-based fintech, has raised $7.5M in Seed funding from Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA) and a $10M debt facility from Roadnight Capital.

KaaS - Knowledge as a Service

Gemma’s Pick 💁🏻‍♀️

Podcast: The Journal - "Alexa is in millions of homes and Amazon is losing billions"

Will’s Pick 💁🏻‍♂️

Blog: The Big Guide to Fusion by Ben James

Send feedback to the hosts

• Gemma on LinkedIn
• Will on LinkedIn

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of The Startup Retro possible.

Rippling

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Teamified

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Get started 

The Day One NetworkThe Startup Retro is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.

For broader updates on the Day One network, including news about other shows and network-wide updates, sign up for the Day One Newsletter. We are dedicated to creating content that helps Australian founders succeed. https://dayone.fm/newsletter

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Summary

In this week's episode of The Startup Retro the discussion begins with Coinbase recruiting a former Treasury director and ASIC economist, and continues with an analysis of Microsoft entering the design market with a Canva competitor. They also explore the latest annual report on crowdfunding, revealing the state of the market and key figures.

Will and Gemma highlight the most interesting startup raises of the week, including Cuttable's creative automation platform and Preve's AI-driven physiotherapy solution. They wrap up with Knowledge as a Service (KaaS) recommendations, featuring a docuseries on aged care and a lighthearted book series.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:28 Coinbase Recruits Former Treasury Director

05:02 Microsoft's Canva Competitor

09:00 Crowdfunding Annual Report

15:37 Weekly Startup Raises

28:31 KaaS Recommendations

Links

To get all the links to the stories we mentioned in this episode, you can read this week’s Overnight Success newsletter. https://newsletter.overnightsuccess.vc/p/27-july-2024

Headlines

• Coinbase Recruits Former Treasury Director
• Microsoft's Canva Competitor
• Crowdfunding Annual Report

Startup Raises

• Cuttable
• Raised $5.5 million led by Square Peg, with Paul Bassat joining the board.
• Focuses on creative automation for digital ads to enhance ROI without compromising quality.
• Preve
• Raised $550K in pre-seed funding to revolutionise physiotherapy with AI.
• Aims to reduce the high dropout and reinjury rates in patient treatment plans.
• Fundabl
• Closed $3.2 million equity raise and launched a venture debt fund.
• Targets growth-stage businesses with loans between $500,000 and $5 million, providing alternatives to equity investments.

KaaS - Knowledge as a Service

Our favourite startup-relevant read, listen, or watch of the week.

• Gemma’s Pick 💁🏻‍♀️
• Docuseries: Maggie Beer's Big Mission, a three-part series on revolutionising aged care with better nutrition and innovative tech solutions.
• Will’s Pick 💁🏻‍♂️
• Book: The Thursday Murder Club, a lighthearted mystery series about retirees solving crimes.
• Podcast: The Contrarians with Adam Schwab and Adir Shiffman, featuring Blake Hutchison of Flippa discussing digital asset marketplaces and valuation insights.

Send feedback to the hosts

• Gemma on LinkedIn
• Will on LinkedIn

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of The Startup Retro possible.

Rippling

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Google for Startups

Google for Startups Cloud Program Get up to US$350,000 of Google Cloud and Firebase credits for two years for your startup plus technical, business and financial support through the Google for Startups Cloud Program. 

Apply now

Google for Startups AI First Accelerator The Google for Startups AI First Accelerator is a 10-week equity-free accelerator program for Seed and Series A stage Australian startups building AI&ML-driven platforms and products.

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The Day One NetworkThe Startup Retro is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.

For broader updates on the Day One network, including news about other shows and network-wide updates, sign up for the Day One Newsletter. We are dedicated to creating content that helps Australian founders succeed. https://dayone.fm/newsletter

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Summary

In this episode of The Startup Retro, the hosts delve into the significant headlines from the past week. The discussion begins with Blackbird Ventures' latest data on their gender-based investment targets and continues with an analysis of EVP's new fund structure aiming for $500 million in assets under management. They also explore a report on government grants to SMEs, revealing that a large portion of funds go to low-performing companies. The public hearings on AI inquiry and the implications for startups developing AI tools are covered as well.

Will and Gemma highlight the most interesting startup raises of the week, including ExoFlare's biosecurity threat management platform, and discuss the importance of accurate and detailed reporting on VC funding with Kirstin Hunter and Preethi Mohan from "Funding the Balance." The episode wraps up with Knowledge as a Service (KaaS) recommendations, featuring articles on VC engagement with media and practical tips for using ASIC lodgements for competitor research.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:28 Blackbird Ventures Data on Gender Investments

05:02 EVP's New Fund Structure

06:06 Government Grants Report

09:00 AI Inquiry Public Hearings

11:02 EVP's Lifetime Fund

15:37 Weekly Startup Raises

21:55 Interview: Kirstin Hunter and Preethi Mohan

40:25 KaaS Recommendations

Links

To get all the links to the stories we mentioned in this episode, you can read this week’s Overnight Success newsletter

Headlines

• Blackbird Ventures' Gender-Based Investment Targets
• EVP's New Fund Structure
• Government Grants Report
• AI Inquiry Public Hearings
• Funding the Balance Initiative

Startup Raises

ExoFlare

• Company website
• 7:30 Episode - Australia is in the grip of an unprecedented bird flu outbreak (8 min)

HammerTech

• Company website

Interview

• Kirstin Hunter
• Preethi Mohan

KaaS - Knowledge as a Service

Our favourite startup-relevant read, listen or watch of the week

• Gemma’s Pick 💁🏻‍♀️ ‘Declined to comment’: three words destroying millions in VC brand equity, by Jessy Wu for the AFR (Will be interviewing Jessy next week - submit your questions directly to me on LinkedIn or via the form link in the show notes.)
• Will’s Pick 💁🏻‍♂️ Warwick Donaldson: ASIC and Competitors - A Practical Guide for Aussie Founders
• Using ASIC to find investors in competitors… handy tip! 

Send feedback to the hosts

• Gemma on LinkedIn
• Will on LinkedIn

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of The Startup Retro possible.

Rippling

Are you a founder overwhelmed by HR, payroll, onboarding, and IT tasks? Simplify with Rippling: an all-in-one platform for your global workforce.

Get 3 Months Free 

Google for Startups

Google for Startups Cloud Program Get up to US$350,000 of Google Cloud and Firebase credits for two years for your startup plus technical, business and financial support through the Google for Startups Cloud Program. 

Apply now

Google for Startups AI First Accelerator The Google for Startups AI First Accelerator is a 10-week equity-free accelerator program for Seed and Series A stage Australian startups building AI&ML-driven platforms and products.

Apply now 

Teamified

Build a top-notch team fast with Teamified. Teamified offers fractional CTOs, contractors, and remote team members from the Philippines, India, or Sri Lanka. Cut hiring times by 50%.

Get started 

The Day One NetworkThe Startup Retro is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.

For broader updates on the Day One network, including news about other shows and network-wide updates, sign up for the Day One Newsletter. We are dedicated to creating content that helps Australian founders succeed. https://dayone.fm/newsletter

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Headlines

• Cut Through Venture report: Teasing an interview with Chris later in the episode. The report reveals 99 deals in Q2 with $1.5B invested.
• AngelClass launches with an app allowing anyone with $10K or more to invest in startups without being classified as sophisticated investors. Elliot Spiegel from Inhouse Ventures takes advantage of Australia's 20/12 rule, enabling 20 investors in any 12-month period without needing a full prospectus.
• Climate Tech funding challenges: ClimateSalad claims about 100 out of 600 members need funding ASAP to survive the year, amounting to ~$100M. Despite a lot of pre-seed stage funding, there are barriers such as public perceptions, regulatory hurdles, and physical barriers related to the grid.
• Girls in Tech closes up shop in Australia and rebrands as Her Tech Circle, continuing to support and inspire women in tech despite funding challenges due to a decline in DEI funding in corporates.

Summary

In this episode of The Startup Retro, the hosts dive into the most significant headlines from last week. The discussion includes the new Cut Through Venture report on startup investments, the launch of AngelClass, insights into Climate Tech funding challenges, and the birth of Her Tech Circle from the ashes of Girls in Tech. Will and Gemma also highlight notable startup raises and share their picks of the week.

Time Stamps

• 00:03: Introduction by Will Richards and Gemma Clancy.
• 00:26: Overview of today's episode topics: Cut Through Venture report, angel investing innovation, climate tech funding, and more.
• 01:07: Discussion on the Cut Through Venture report revealing 99 deals with $1.5B invested in Q2.
• 01:44: Insights on climate tech funding and the need for more support, based on Climate Salad's report.
• 03:32: Analysis of climate tech funding challenges, including early-stage funding and regulatory barriers.
• 04:51: Introduction of AngelClass, allowing non-sophisticated investors to invest in startups.
• 10:09: Closure of Girls in Tech and the launch of Her Tech Circle, a rebranded initiative to support women in tech.
• 11:21: Gemma's pick: Fugu, a climate tech startup developing solid direct air capture systems.
• 16:25: Will’s pick: Sircel, focusing on recycling obsolete solar panels and e-waste.
• 20:57: Interview with Chris Gillings from Five V Capital and Cut Through Ventures discussing the CTV Q2 report and insights on the Australian startup ecosystem.
• 36:58: Knowledge as a Service (KaaS) segment featuring Gemma's pick, the Calling Operator podcast, and Will's pick, Pop Culture by Edward Zitron.

Links

To get all the links to the stories we mentioned in this episode, you can read this week’s Overnight Success newsletter: https://newsletter.overnightsuccess.vc/p/12-july-2024

Top Headlines

• Cut Through Venture report: The report reveals 99 deals in Q2 with $1.5B invested.
• AngelClass launches with an app allowing anyone with $10K or more to invest in startups without being classified as sophisticated investors. Elliot Spiegel from Inhouse Ventures takes advantage of Australia's 20/12 rule, enabling 20 investors in any 12-month period without needing a full prospectus.
• Climate Tech funding challenges: ClimateSalad claims about 100 out of 600 members need funding ASAP to survive the year, amounting to ~$100M. Despite a lot of pre-seed stage funding, there are barriers such as public perceptions, regulatory hurdles, and physical barriers related to the grid.
• Girls in Tech closes up shop in Australia and rebrands as Her Tech Circle, continuing to support and inspire women in tech despite funding challenges due to a decline in DEI funding in corporates.

Startup Raises

• Will’s pick: Sircel
• Gem’s pick: Fugu

Interview

• Chris Gillings - Five V Capital and Cut Through Venture (Interview by Will Richards)

KaaS - Knowledge as a Service

Our favourite startup-relevant read, listen or watch of the week

• Gemma’s Pick: Calling Operator Podcast
• Focuses on operators in the startup ecosystem, highlighting their crucial role. Recently transitioned to Laura Nicol (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauranicolpr/) as the new host
• Will’s Pick: Pop Culture by Edward Zitron
• A well-researched counterpoint to the economic value created by AI, questioning its real impact.

Send feedback to the hosts

• Gemma on LinkedIn
• Will on LinkedIn

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