Today
Airtree raises $650m for new start-up investment funds
The money for the high-profile venture capital firm’s two new vehicles came from institutional investors in the US and from three Australian super funds.
- 23 mins ago
- Paul Smith
Yesterday
HESTA forced to repay; More Jones charges; Why Australia’s stuck
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Canva poaches a mastermind of Zoom’s IPO
The appointment ends eight months of speculation after Canva’s former chief financial officer stepped down after allegations of misconduct.
- Updated
- Amelia McGuire
This Month
Five founders keeping the faith with investors
Corporate Australia has recently experienced a founder “killing season”, but these founder-led companies are still keeping shareholders happy.
October
- Updated
- Start-ups
Canva valuation leaps to almost $50b as overseas investors eye Australia
The design software giant is the largest of the country’s privately owned technology firms, and is seen as a bellwether for the local start-up sector.
- Updated
- Amelia McGuire, Tess Bennett and Paul Smith
Angry members brand Tech Council a ‘billionaires lunch club’
The industry association for some of the country’s largest technology firms failed to act on allegations against WiseTech founder Richard White, they say.
- Tess Bennett and Amelia McGuire
How execs create their own jobs
BOSS talks to three executives who came up with their own titles or convinced an employer to create a new position for them.
- Euan Black
Canva touts revenue leap, new AI tools after Leonardo buy
The $39 billion graphic design company has unveiled new generative AI features after hiring 1000 employees so far this year, and buying out a local rival.
- Tess Bennett
How to have a job you love, save the world and earn up to $800k
This week BOSS speaks to four executives who are helping to save the planet. All have a high level of job satisfaction, and all earn decent money. It appears it is possible to have it all.
- Sally Patten
Canva backflips on forcing some customers to pay 300pc more
After a backlash, the design software provider now says its longer-term users can remain on their original subscriptions as a “thank you for their loyalty”.
- Tess Bennett
September
For some private tech firms, it’s back to 2016
The so-called funding winter may be over for reasonably established, revenue-generating software, AI and biotech firms as valuations drop from giddy heights.
- Paul Smith
The five most powerful Australian tech leaders in 2024
The biggest deal of the year, the end of an era at Atlassian and the rising influence of super funds helped to shape the list of technology’s most powerful in 2024.
- Updated
- Paul Smith
How Square Peg is luring investors into its $840m fund raise
The $3 billion VC has been a responsible money manager with a handful of successes. But it’s only had a few home runs.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
How AI is generating a ‘sea of sameness’ in job applications
Generative AI and improved digital tools have made it easier and quicker to create sophisticated CVs and cover letters. There is a downside, however.
- Cristina Criddle
Canva triples prices citing the need to pay for new AI design tools
The increase in the cost of its popular software ahead of an IPO may lead some smaller customers to abandon the company for cheaper rivals, analysts warn.
- Paul Smith
August
Blackbird’s Wagatha Christie moment
The fund has been determined to get to the bottom of leaks, including one that showed it played a blinder on AI start-up Leonardo.
- Nick Bonyhady
- Exclusive
- Executive shake-up
Canva recruits from big tech ahead of IPO, but five execs have left
Five senior Canva executives with years of experience at technology giants including Meta, Adobe and Google have departed over the past 18 months.
- Nick Bonyhady
- Exclusive
- Start-ups
‘Harder and harder’: Why Canva’s $370m AI bet said yes
AI dollars can be “fleeting” and competing with big players can cost hundreds of millions, setting the scene for Leonardo’s sale to Canva.
- Nick Bonyhady
July
- Exclusive
- Start-ups
Canva’s AI prize Leonardo traded for $320m, dividing VC industry
The valuation has been so closely guarded some investors have refused to tell their own backers how much Canva paid for the start-up.
- Nick Bonyhady
It was called the ‘next Canva’, so Canva bought it
Canva has acquired AI design start-up Leonardo.AI in a surprise deal worth over $120 million. The ACCC is taking notice.
- Staff reporter