StartupSmart - The latest news on Australia's startup & entrepreneur ecosystem

Fintech OpenSparkz scores $1.5 million in over-subscribed round to tidy up the loyalty-card space

Rewards startup OpenSparkz has secured $1.5 million in an over-subscribed second seed-funding round, despite being pre-revenue.

Founded t…

Startup News & Analysis| Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
“Where did the money go?”: How Appster went from riches to ruin

An investigation into collapsed app-development darling Appster has revealed serious concerns about the company’s financials, operation an…

Startup News & Analysis| Dominic Powell

Startup News & Analysis
Sydney startup secures grant to develop adorable robot helping sick kids at home
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
Startup News & Analysis
Legaltech Josef partners with fellow startup Luna to bring lawyer-bot to the ecosystem
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
Startup News & Analysis
“Another massive kick in the guts”: Ongoing R&D debate causes more uncertainty for startups and for Australia’s economic future
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
Startup News & Analysis
Women’s ride-sharing startup Shebah embarks on $3 million equity crowdfunding campaign, after male VCs failed to get on board
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
Startup News & Analysis
Happy V Day: Thanks to this Aussie startup, you can now buy a vibrator with your cryptocurrency
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
Startup Advice
A waste of time and talent: Collective Campus founder Steve Glaveski says you should only be working six hours a day
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
Startup News & Analysis
“We’re going to go hard”: Property management startup Hometime primes for capital raise after seeing 750% growth in 18 months
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
Startup Advice
Sent from heaven: The four factors that guide angels when investing in startups
Brett White

Contributors

A cultural war: What Hayne's report means for fintechs, accountants and small-business lending Charlotte Petris Timelio founder
In a perfect world: Canva's Melanie Perkins dreams about the future of Australian startups Melanie Perkins Canva co-founder
Swipe right for (data) validation: What dating apps can teach us about data security Leah Callon-Butler intimate.io co-founder
How do Australian startups tap into the $140 billion of dry powder sitting in the US? Andrea Kowalski Bailador partner
No silver bullet: Four steps to find the perfect sales and marketing channel for your startup Vinne Schifferstein Vidal Botown founder
Buzinga to Appster: An insider's theory on why the app giants keep falling Joseph Russell DreamWalk Apps co-founder
Got brand goals? The four most marketable sports of 2019 Andrew Montesi Pickstar head of marketing
What founders can do now to prepare for a possible 2019 recession Les Szekely EVP co-founder

Recent raises

It’s raised $45 million and has global ambitions, but Baraja will always call Sydney home — despite only having one Aussie customer
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
How Kiwi edtech Kami gained six million users without any advertising and secured a $1.4 million investment
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
“Doubling down”: Sendle closes oversubscribed $20 million Series B round to fuel overseas growth
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
Aussie NASA engineer turned startup founder raises $12 million to capitalise on obscure multi-billion dollar industry
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien

Neobanks

Volt becomes first neobank to secure full banking licence — and celebrates a $8.4 million raise
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
Bring on the competition, says founder of neobank Xinja, as second equity crowdfunding campaign smashes $500,000 in nine hours
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
Up and away: Tech guru and former AFL coach launch Australia’s first digital bank
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien
Small and mighty: Meet the challenger banks nipping at the heels of the big four
Stephanie Palmer-Derrien

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