Today
This public servant founded a $4b company. He never wanted to be an entrepreneur
Being the CEO of his own company was never on Pinnacle chief Ian Macoun’s agenda. “I was a public servant.”
Yesterday
Larry Diamond-backed venture debt firm Mighty Partners eyes $100m fund
Diamond invested in Mighty Partners in recent months, slotting in behind its largest shareholder, founder of online broker Stake, Matt Leibowitz.
A new $25k members’ club opens in Sydney
The Pillars aims to connect entrepreneurs and investors over ice baths, fancy dinners and all-hours parties on a hidden terrace.
April
Project Hawke: Bridget Loudon’s Expert360 hunts capital partner
Bridget Loudon’s online jobs platform is gearing up to make a major acquisition.
Australian IVF screening start-up pulls Nasdaq IPO, blames US tariffs
The company has developed a test to screen embryos for thousands of genetic diseases in the In Vitro Fertilisation process.
Why weekends are so important to the CEO of this $7b company
Throughout his career, AGL chief Damien Nicks has deliberately shut off from work on a Friday so he can start the following week fresh.
StrongRoom buyer speaks out as founders’ credit card records subpoenaed
Subpoenas have been issued to two financial institutions to produce all documents affiliated with accounts held by StrongRoom’s co-founders since January 2022.
Jeff Bezos-backed start-up launches $30,000, US-made electric pickup
Slate Auto plans to debut its small, bare bones, two-seater truck for less than $US20,000 ($31,310) with federal subsidies.
Bill Gates’ daughter determined to make it on her own
Phoebe Gates, the youngest and most stylish of Bill and Melinda Gates’ children, steps into the spotlight as a founder of a new online shopping tool.
Bailador-backed PropHero guts local operations despite $100m valuation
Emails between executives show serious unhappiness as the real estate investment start-up’s founders take the axe to local teams and move operations to Spain.
Green start-up backed by billionaire Scott Farquhar, Square Peg shuts down
Sustainable packaging company Zero Co, backed by prominent investors, will close next week after failing to overcome production problems.
Tuckwell gets back into the ETF biz with Global X, VanEck rival
Street Talk understands the firm, dubbed ETF Shares, will launch three international equity-focused ETFs on Cboe early next month.
Insignia, Zurich offload sub-scale super funds to Future Group
The retirement savings fund is run by former GetUp director Simon Sheikh and told its investors the deals would generate more than $6 million in new revenue.
Meet the 24-year-old Australian behind a $300m US start-up
Max Marchione moved to San Francisco to start Superpower and capitalise on the US’ under-resourced healthcare sector.
StrongRoom AI nears sale with debts transferred to entrepreneur
The pharmacy software start-up called in administrators after its biggest investor, venture capital firm EVP, alleged it had misrepresented its finances.
Escalante-backed WeMoney valued at $100m as it eyes ASX listing
The lending comparison start-up has raised $12 million and its founder, Dan Jovevski, says the company is preparing its path to float within three years.
The 10-bagger that put Munro’s small-cap fund on the map
Intuitive Surgical and Waystar are among this year’s hottest trades for Qiao Ma. She is holding firm on Nvidia despite the US-China trade war.
Start-up valuations increase but tech investors brace for Trump disruption
New data shows VC firms have invested about $1 billion in 100 start-up deals so far this year, but recession fears and market uncertainty is spooking investors.
The next wave of Australian AI is here – and it’s not just automation
From retail to neuroscience and environmental conservation, these three companies are pushing the boundaries of AI’s potential.
Ex-KPMG consultant lands global VC funding for AI start-up
California-based venture capital firm Aliavia Ventures and No Brand Holdings led InsightWise’s $1 million oversubscribed pre-seed round.