🇦🇺 This Week in Australian Startups #139, 23rd November 2025
$10.8m raised across 10 rounds, OwnHome launches white-label product for Aussie, Software Combined acquires WCC Group, Culture Amp lays off 6% of its staff, Groq to invest $459m in Australia
News
M&A, IPOs & Exits
Currents has acquired Startup Striders in an undisclosed all-cash deal, taking over the 1,300-member community and outlining early plans for multi-sport expansion (SmartCompany)
Software Combined acquires Dutch workforce-matching software provider WCC Group, its 13th B2B software deal since 2020 (BNA)
Capital Markets
Airtasker announces new $10 million raise, iHeartMedia partnership deal (SmartCompany)
DroneShield confesses to CEO share sale during misinformed market (AFR)
Emyria raises $8m amidst plans for national PTSD treatment roll-out with Avive Health (BNA)
ASX tech stocks rip in the wake of Nvidia’s beat, but AI bubble fears remain (Capital Brief)
Bruce Buchanan’s $6b-plus adtech Rokt warms up investors for 2026 deal (AFR)
Technology One full-year profit lifts 17%, declares special dividend (Capital Brief)
WiseTech says ASIC investigation ongoing, reiterates FY26 guidance (Capital Brief)
Partnership & Deals
AIRMO has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Esper Satellite Imagery to advance next-generation methane detection capabilities for the oil and gas sector (LinkedIn)
Aussie partners with OwnHome to launch ‘Aussie Boost’ white-label product for low-deposit buyers (LinkedIn)
ASX-listed Australian fintech Stakk signs 3-year contract with US fintech powerhouse SoFi (Australian FinTech)
Product Launches, Milestones and Expansion
Airwallex, Qantas launch high-yield product to rival big four banks (The Australian)
Groq to invest $459m in Australia, launches AI cluster at Equinix’s Sydney data centre (Capital Brief)
Venture Capital & Other Funding
Remarkable alumni ByStorm Beauty lands $30,000 in government-backed women founder program (Startup Daily)
Li-S Energy secures $7.8m ARENA grant to support advanced battery manufacturing facility at Geelong (BNA)
Oliver Curtis’ $6b Firmus seeks billions in debt after tripling value (AFR)
Sphere, founded by Australian Nicholas Rudder, has raised a $21M Series A, led by Andreessen Horowitz, to build the world’s first AI-native tax engine (LinkedIn)
Government, Policy & Regulation
Chief Justice Stephen Gageler warns of AI crisis in Australian courts (The Australian)
eSafety Commissioner called to testify before US Congress (InnovationAus)
Ecosystem & Hubs
Equity Clear launches Show Us the Data roundtables to create a national standard for investor diversity reporting (Startup Daily)
Tech accelerator Founders Factory is backing WA startups helping people living with diseases like MS, MND and Parkinson’s (Startup Daily)
People Moves & Spotlights
Firmus adds ex-BHP exec Mike Ferraro to board, confirms double departure (Capital Brief)
GXE hires former ANZ 1835i ventures lead David Rowe to grow VC and syndicate client base (AFR)
InDebted appoints Michael Chatfield as new Australian Managing Director to lead enterprise growth and expand local operations (Australian FinTech)
Mario Alejandro Rojas joins OneVentures’ Growth Credit team as Investment Director (LinkedIn)
Reports & Data
AFR announces the Fast 100 List and Fast Starters List 2025 (AFR)
Super funds’ aversion to start-ups costs retirees up to $20,300: report (AFR)
Healthtech, software and AI startups shine in Deloitte’s Tech Fast 50 (BNA)
Grit, innovation, and ‘jugaad’: South Asian Australian founders surpass $1.6 billion in investment in new list (SmartCompany)
Other News & Updates
Culture Amp lays off 6% of its staff globally as focus shifts to new AI products (Capital Brief)
Inside Kiki’s London reboot: Customer confusion, $18,700 revenue in four months (SmartCompany)
Funding Rounds
HOPR, a beverage brand that makes hop-infused adaptogenic non-alcoholic sparkling drinks for adults to relax without alcohol, has raised $3m in a Seed round from TWIYO (BNA | Startup Daily)
MetroElectro, a platform that owns and operates zero-capex solar for industrial roofs to cut bills and emissions, has raised $1m in a Undisclosed round from Wavemaker Impact (AFR | BNA | Startup Daily)
Teacher’s Buddy, an EdTech platform that uses AI to generate lesson plans and reports for teachers to reduce admin time, has raised $185k in a Seed round from Giant Leap, Co Ventures, Exhort Ventures, Flying Fox Ventures, Saniel Ventures and Soul Capital (Startup Daily | BNA | Capital Brief)
CarExpert, a new-car marketplace platform that helps consumers research and buy new vehicles with transparent pricing and no haggling, has raised an undisclosed amount from Trade Me (BNA)
Able Digital Wellness, a health-tech platform that delivers tailored wellness programs for people with disability to improve health and independence, has raised $400k in a Seed round from PLT (BNA)
Gega Elements, who is developing a novel, low-carbon process to extract gallium and germanium from industrial waste streams, has raised $925k in a Pre-Seed round from UNSW Founders, Flying Fox Ventures, Investible, Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) and Salus Ventures (Capital Brief)
Medow Health AI, an AI ‘co-pilot’ for medical practice management software, has raised $3m in a Seed round from Angel Investors (Startup Daily)
Earflo, a MedTech device clearing middle-ear pressure in children to avert tube surgery, has raised $639k from Richard King Mellon Foundation (businesswire)
Finura Digital, a WealthTech platform that automates creation of advice documents for Australian financial advisers to cut SOA production time, has raised an undisclosed amount from HUB24 (Direct)
VenstraMedical, a MedTech pump providing temporary cardiac support via a 9F catheter for patients, has raised an undisclosed amount from Highcroft Capital (businesswire)