Recent Posts
News•Mar 1, 2026
Canva Denies Job Losses as Leonardo.AI Comes Into the Fold
Canva announced that it will integrate its recent AI acquisition, Leonardo.AI, into the main platform without any layoffs. The company refuted media reports suggesting redundancies, stating that the 150‑person Leonardo team will be reassigned to existing AI initiatives or new roles within Canva. The acquisition, completed in 2024, cost over $300 million and has been operating independently for 18 months. Canva says a small subset will continue as a standalone product while the rest join broader AI efforts.
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
News•Mar 1, 2026
What Job Losses Blamed on AI Tell Us About the Next Decade
In early 2026, AI‑driven restructurings triggered massive layoffs at WiseTech Global, Block and Commonwealth Bank, while the market rewarded the moves with double‑digit stock gains. A viral Substack scenario about an AI‑induced crisis sent SaaS stocks tumbling, highlighting how reduced...
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
News•Mar 1, 2026
5 Things You Must Know if You’re Going to Be on a Startup Board
Founders often become “accidental directors” when a startup raises capital, expands its team, or attracts investors, prompting the creation of a formal board. The shift to a boardroom demands a new governance mindset, emphasizing independent judgment, duty of care, and...
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
News•Feb 26, 2026
Tassie Cybersecurity Scaleup Upguard Pockets $105 Million Series C
UpGuard, the Hobart‑based cybersecurity firm, closed a $75 million Series C round led by Springcoast Capital, with participation from August Capital, Square Peg and Pelion Venture Partners. The capital will accelerate development of its AI‑powered cyber‑risk posture management (CRPM) platform, expand go‑to‑market operations,...
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
News•Feb 26, 2026
SafetyCulture Founder Luke Anear Returns as CEO to Be ‘Present’ in Sydney HQ
SafetyCulture announced that founder and executive chairman Luke Anear will step in as interim CEO after the departure of US‑based CEO Kelly Vohs on March 31. The change aims to provide a consistent leadership presence at the Sydney headquarters while the...
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
News•Feb 25, 2026
Logistics Giant WiseTech Cuts 2000 Coding Jobs as AI Takes Over
WiseTech Global announced the elimination of roughly 2,000 coding positions, representing more than a quarter of its 7,000‑strong workforce, as it pivots toward artificial‑intelligence‑driven solutions. The company posted a 76% surge in first‑half revenue to US$672 million, while net profit slipped...
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
News•Feb 23, 2026
Heidi Acquires UK Medical AI Startup
Heidi, the Melbourne‑based clinical‑notes AI scale‑up, has acquired UK health‑tech platform Automedica, bolstering its move from a GP scribe to a broader AI suite. The deal, undisclosed financially, follows Heidi’s $125 million funding round that valued the company at $703 million. Post‑acquisition,...
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
News•Feb 23, 2026
The Government Wants VCs to Co-Invest in a $1 Billion Defence Industry Fund
The Australian federal government is preparing to contribute up to $500 million as co‑investment alongside venture capital firms into one or more Advanced Capabilities Investment (ACI) funds aimed at defence and dual‑use technologies. A Request for Expressions of Interest on AusTender...
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
News•Feb 23, 2026
Kogan.com ‘Firing on All Cylinders’, Founder Says, as Group Profit Falls 20%
Kogan Group reported mixed H1 FY26 results, with its flagship Kogan.com platform delivering 21% sales growth and a 17% revenue increase, while the New Zealand acquisition Mighty Ape saw sales fall 9% and a 25% revenue drop, dragging group NPAT down 20%...
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
News•Feb 23, 2026
It Looks Like Open Banking’s ‘Breakout Moment’ Is Finally Here
Open Banking in Australia is reaching a breakout moment as three notable consumer‑lending firms—an ASX‑listed billion‑dollar player, a $300 m listed firm, and a $60 m private company—have shifted from screen‑scraping to regulated Open Banking data feeds. This transition replaces insecure credential‑based...
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
Deals•Feb 23, 2026
Heidi Acquires UK AI Healthcare Platform Automedica
Australian health‑tech scale‑up Heidi announced the acquisition of UK AI healthcare platform Automedica, expanding its AI product suite and UK regulatory presence. The terms were undisclosed. The deal follows Heidi’s $125 million fundraising round last year.
Startup Daily (ANZ)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Federal Government Slips $12.7 Million to 8 Quantum Projects Tackling Energy, Minerals and Health
The Australian federal government allocated an additional $12.7 million to eight collaborative quantum‑technology demonstrators, expanding the $35.9 million National Quantum Strategy. Funding ranges from $1.1 million for a data‑centre cooling solution to $2.4 million for rare‑earth detection in mines. Projects span energy optimisation, medical...
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Defence Drone and Robotics Startup Breaker Pilots $9 Million Seed Round
Australian defence tech startup Breaker has secured a $9 million seed round, led by Bessemer Venture Partners with participation from existing backer Main Sequence. The funding will accelerate its AI‑driven voice interface that lets a single operator command up to 100...
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
News•Feb 19, 2026
Blackbird-Backed Telehealth Startup Eucalyptus Sells for $1.6 Billion to US Listed Rival
Australian telehealth startup Eucalyptus is being acquired by NYSE‑listed Hims & Hers for $1.15 bn, valuing the company at A$1.6 bn. The deal includes an upfront $240 m payment and deferred cash or stock plus earn‑out provisions through 2029. Eucalyptus reports an ARR north...
By Startup Daily (ANZ)
Deals•Feb 17, 2026
Seek's VC Fund to Divest Remaining Stake in Employment Hero
Seek's venture arm announced the sale of its remaining stake in HR software platform Employment Hero as part of its half‑year results, ending an eight‑year partnership. The divestment follows a prior $95 million stake sale to KKR and a resolved Federal...
Startup Daily (ANZ)
Deals•Feb 8, 2026
South Australian SaaS Startup Splose Secures $46M Series A Led by Spectrum Equity
Adelaide‑based allied health software platform Splose announced a $46 million Series A round, led by US growth equity firm Spectrum Equity with participation from Athletic Ventures. The funding will accelerate product development, expand the UK market and deepen AI capabilities, marking...
Startup Daily (ANZ)