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08

AI debt recovery fintech OpenDebt bags $2 million in pre-Seed

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OpenDebt secures a $2m pre-seed from Blackbird and Antler to scale AI-native debt recovery tech

05

04

Loneliness and dementia: how technology can help

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Dementia-friendly tech could be a connection bridge for people and families experiencing isolation.

02

AI data centre startup Firmus gears up to raise $7 billion for an ASX IPO next month

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Firmus wants a $50bn ASX debut on AI data-centre dreams.

Best in Tech winner Hysata scores $49 million from ARENA for $98m electrolyser plant

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Hysata lands $49m for a Wollongong electrolyser plant chasing cheaper green hydrogen.

NIMBY anger: Sydney residents tell Senate inquiry they want AI data centres out of town

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Sydney’s data-centre backlash erupts as residents warn AI hubs don’t belong in suburbs.

Monday, Sep 21

00

Space monitoring startup scores NRF backing in $37 million Series B

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HEO bags $37m to spy on satellites in GEO, with NRF cash backing sovereign defence eyes in orbit.

14

Power play: Amber charges up on $78.5 million Series E for global push

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Amber grabs $78.5m to take its battery/EV energy trading play global, starting with Europe.

09

Why practical beats polished if you’re going to solve startup problems

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Stop buying polished AI fluff -bring your ugly startup problem to operators who’ve solved it, ask hard questions, and leave with fixes you can ship.

Newcastle Uni gives 12 startups in its I2N accelerator a helping hand

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Newcastle Uni’s I2N backs 12 startups taking on health, waste, AI and money smarts—register for free Demo Night on Oct 7.

08

She’s Apples for Albo on US trip to talk social media, algorithms and AI

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Albanese courts Apple as Australia pushes AI guardrails, kid-safety tech and algorithm opt-outs.

Friday, Sep 18

07

Spark Festival’s 10 things not to miss this year

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Spark Festival 2026 floods NSW with 100+ free startup sessions on AI, funding, housing and deep tech—grab your spot now.

06

Cheque-in: 5 startups raised $29.9 million this week (and 8 months ago)

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Startup cash got picky: Buildkite’s $21m lifeline led a $29.9m week across AI health, workplace risk, pet care and events.

05

What’s the customer’s problem? The things politicians and founders have in common

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Founders, stop begging Canberra: treat MPs like customers, show the problem you solve, and build trust before policy bites.

03

Buildkite quietly raised $21 million earlier this year after posting massive losses

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Buildkite grabbed $21m after burning $23.4m and ousting its CEO, ahead of AI code demand surging.

02

Airtree is offering $350,000 to ANZ founders to kick off in Silicon Valley

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Airtree dangles a A$350k SAFE note for early-stage ANZ founders in San Francisco.

Thursday, Sep 17

05

Workplace psychological safety startup ReFresh plants $2.5 million Seed round

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ReFresh grabs $2.5m to make psychosocial safety more than limp surveys.

04

‘Community is the moat’: Paz Pisarski named Industry Champion at the Best in Tech Awards 2026

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After taking home Future Leader of the Year in 2025, Paz Pisarski has been crowned Startup Daily's 2026 Industry Champion.

Treasury wants feedback on lifting the thresholds for ESVCLPs as part of its capital gains changes

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Treasury may fatten venture tax caps but keep the red tape and no indexation. Comment on the plans by Sept 28.

01

From Amber Electric to Infravision, climate tech is simply good business

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Climate tech stopped being green fantasy and started printing demand. Canberra must sharpen carbon signals and approvals—back the builders now.

Wednesday, Sep 16

10

Startmate alumni Evatto raises $1.02 million pre-Seed

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Evatto bags $1.02m to drag enterprise events out of spreadsheet hell with AI.

09

Why Apple, Google and other global tech giants will hate the ATO’s latest ruling on cross-border payments

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Australia’s ATO targets Big Tech’s offshore software payments as taxable royalties, risking a US tax brawl.

Australia’s intelligence boss warns government’s antiquated tech stack is a massive AI cyber risk

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Australia’s $13b legacy tech debt is AI attack bait; set reduction targets and rip out end-of-life systems before hackers do.

05

The soft edges of business success

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Scape proves belonging isn’t fluff: it cuts churn, lifts conversion and lowers acquisition costs.

GAMING: Virtual chicken soup: the best games for your next sick day

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Feeling sick? From Pokémon to Dark Souls 2, here are the games gaming writers turn to for a little pick-me-up.

04

Doctors microdose AI receptionist with another $3.5 million in Seed funding

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Medow Health AI bags $3.5m for an AI front desk to stop specialist clinics ghosting patients.

02

From Melbourne to 190 countries: Heidi named Best in Tech’s AI Gamechanger of the Year

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AI healthcare platform Heidi took home two top honours in the Startup Daily Best in Tech Awards.

Tuesday, Sep 15

21

Frontier AI’s call to slow down research may be a safety pause – or a political strategic retreat

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AI’s “safety pause” may be a moat dressed as morality, slowing rivals while labs cash in.

09

The Coalition will kill off Innovation Victoria’s VC fund and sell its 100 investments if they win the state election

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Coalition vows to axe Innovation Victoria’s VC fund and flog its bets, citing dud returns and debt.

07

The free AI Pathfinder program could help you launch your own startup

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A free national program aims to turn 1,500 Australians Into AI founders.