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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Oceania, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌍
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📰 Important News
- The Victorian government will shut down LaunchVic to cut costs, raising concerns across the state’s startup sector and putting accelerators at risk.
- Australia released its first National AI Plan using voluntary disclosure and existing laws, while launching the AI Safety Institute.
- Rabois accused Airwallex of acting as a Chinese backdoor for sensitive US data, prompting a public clash with the Australian unicorn’s CEO.
- Culture Amp reported a A$37 million FY25 loss as growth slowed and its valuation fell, though it says it has enough cash and is cutting burn.
- The Tech Council of Australia restructured its board as Robyn Denholm and two directors departed and former ministers Paul Fletcher and Jaala Pulford joined.
💸 Top Funding Rounds
- Bodd secured A$15 million led by Blue Sky Capital and Ellerston Capital to expand into the US, UK, and Middle East and move into healthtech.
- Arclaim landed NZ$8.6 million to launch its next-gen staking platform with dynamic yields and instant liquidity while expanding globally.
- Hachiko raised A$2.5 million led by Archangel Ventures to enhance its battery storage software and help renewable asset owners boost returns.
- Fremantle Seaweed secured A$2.3 million in a crowdfunded seed round to scale its seaweed-based solution for reducing livestock methane emissions.
- Detail Earth obtained A$2.2 million to advance its aerial imagery mission with plans for free ultra-HD maps in 2025 and expansion into Asia.
💰️ Notable Exits
- Epiminder debuted on the ASX after raising A$125 million for its FDA-authorized epilepsy monitoring device, but its share price fell as it prepares a US commercial rollout backed by major investors like Cochlear.
🏦 About Investors
- Founder Institute ANZ selected eight startups for its spring accelerator, giving early teams access to global support as they build AI platforms, compliance tools, childcare solutions, education products, and professional service marketplaces.
🚀Startup of the Week
Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆
Bodd
Melbourne-founded in 2016 by Rob Fisher and Dave McLaughlin, Bodd has grown from a tailoring-tech experiment into a global 3D body-data platform redefining how industries fit, measure, and understand the human body. Its scanning technology captures precise full-body measurements and key health vitals in seconds, powering use cases across aviation, defense, retail, and an upcoming push into healthtech. Bodd recently secured A$15 million in funding led by Blue Sky Capital and Ellerston Capital, lifting its valuation to A$110 million and enabling expansion into the US, UK, and Middle East while preparing a pharmacy rollout in 2026. Under CEO Rob Fisher, Bodd is positioning itself as a leader in high-fidelity data infrastructure for the AI-driven future of measurement.
💼 Investor of the Week
Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆
Founder Institute ANZ
Founded in 2012 as the Australia-New Zealand chapter of Silicon Valley’s global Founder Institute network, Founder Institute ANZ operates as a pre-seed accelerator focused on turning early-stage ideas into fundable companies. Backed by seasoned operators and investors, the program has expanded its regional influence, most recently unveiling a new Spring cohort of eight startups spanning AI, compliance, childcare, and education tech. Led by Benjamin Chong and Paul Krajewski, the chapter couples a rigorous four-month program with long-term support through its global mentor and investor network. With a mission to empower ambitious founders and strengthen the ANZ innovation ecosystem, Founder Institute ANZ remains a pivotal launchpad for the region’s next generation of startups.
🤑Opportunity Radar
Call for Applications: The HAX Program
The HAX Program, run by SOSV, is a global accelerator for hard-tech startups building solutions in hardware, climate tech, health tech, industrial tech, energy, and AI. Founders gain access to investment, hands-on engineering resources, a world-class mentor network, and long-term venture support through SOSV’s multi-stage platform. The program targets pre-seed hard-tech teams with early prototypes and strong customer insight. Apply now to join a globally diverse community and accelerate your path from prototype to scale.
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