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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
- Rocket Lab's HASTE is set for its fourth hypersonic test, launching the Hypersonix DART AE scramjet for the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit.
- Corporate performance management platform MODLR launched its new Visual Scripting Engine, a major expansion of its data integration capabilities.
- Myriota launched AssetHawk, a rugged satellite IoT asset tracker designed to provide reliable global visibility for assets in remote industries.
- GigMate grew to over 2,000 service providers in seven weeks by offering a zero-commission model for Australia's gig economy workers.
- Cowbell officially launched in Australia with its Prime One program, partnering with Zurich to offer SMEs AI-powered underwriting.
💸 Top Funding Rounds
- Firmus raised a US$10 billion debt facility led by BlackstoneandCoatue to fund the national rollout of its AI Factory platform.
- Neara secured A$90 million in Series D funding at a A$1 billion valuation to tackle global energy challenges and expand its international presence.
- Splose closed a A$46 million Series A round led bySpectrum Equity to accelerate AI innovation and global expansion into the UK.
- Operata secured an A$11 million Series A led by Tidal Ventures, valuing the platform atA$100 million to fuel global expansion.
- Wellumio raised NZ$7.3 million in funding to advance its portable Axana MRI device for rapid stroke diagnosis at the patient's bedside.
💰️ IPO and M&A Watch
- Findi Limited completed its acquisition of Melbourne startup Sphere, integrating bank-grade loyalty and ESG technologies to expand its fintech ecosystem.
- Orangekloud signed a non-binding LOI for a reverse merger with Orbis Technology to acquire VeVe and pivot into digital IP infrastructure and collectibles via a Nasdaq-listed entity.
🏦 About Investors
- HBF launched the A$25 million HBF Ventures with Artesian to invest in healthtech startups for better member outcomes and digital innovation.
- The Meliora Company launched Meliora Ventures Fund One, a US$3 million pre-seed fund for CTO-led AI startups creating practical advantages and business growth.
- HESTA CEO Debby Blakey announced her resignation, effective in the second half of the year, after leading the super fund to over A$100 billion in assets.
🚀 Startup of the Week
Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆
Firmus
Firmus, an AI infrastructure pioneer founded in 2019 in Sydney, has swiftly evolved from a local startup into a powerhouse building the backbone of Australia’s AI economy. The company specializes in designing and constructing “AI Factories”—energy‑efficient, high‑performance compute facilities optimized for training and running large AI models. Its rapid ascent caught global investor attention, culminating in a landmark US$10 billion debt financing round led by Blackstone and Coatue, underpinning the next phase of its national rollout under “Project Southgate.” Co‑CEOs Oliver Curtis and Tim Rosenfield are steering the firm through aggressive expansion, with construction underway and plans for an ASX listing this year. With backing from Nvidia and a mission to position Australia as a global AI infrastructure hub, Firmus is shaping the essential foundation of the AI era.
💼 Investor of the Week
Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆
HBF Ventures
HBF, the Perth‑based not‑for‑profit health insurer founded in 1941 and serving over a million Australians, has stepped boldly into venture investing with the launch of HBF Ventures, a roughly A$25 million corporate venture capital arm in partnership with global investor Artesian. This new CVC, led operationally by Chief Information & Transformation Officer Sanjeev Gupta and backed by CEO Dr. Lachlan Henderson’sstrategic vision, marks a shift from passive fund commitments to active bets on digital health, advanced analytics, new care delivery models, and preventative health solutions. With a decade‑long horizon and plans for 15–20 early and growth‑stage deals, HBF is leveraging its deep sector insight and member base to differentiate itself as a purpose‑driven investor shaping the future of healthcare in Australia.
🤑 Opportunities Expiring Soon
ACU Co-Lab Startup Pre-Accelerator Program
- 📢 Organizer: Australian Catholic University (ACU)
- 🗂️ Category: Accelerator, Award/Prize, Funding
- 🪜 Target Stages: Ideation, Pre-seed, Seed
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Sector Agnostic
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
UNSW Founders Pre-Accelerator (Pre X)
- 📢 Organizer: UNSW Founders
- 🗂️ Category: Accelerator
- 🪜 Target Stages: Stage Agnostic
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Sector Agnostic
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 16, 2026
Scale Your Impact with Start it @KBC
- 📢 Organizer: KBC Group
- 🗂️ Category: Accelerator
- 🪜 Target Stages: Stage Agnostic
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Sector Agnostic
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 16, 2026
RIOT Startup Accelerator
- 📢 Organizer: RIOT
- 🗂️ Category: Accelerator
- 🪜 Target Stages: Stage Agnostic
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Sector Agnostic
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 20, 2026
gBETA Electrify Nevada Spring 2026
- 📢 Organizer: gener8tor
- 🗂️ Category: Accelerator, Training & Learning
- 🪜 Target Stages: Ideation, Pre-seed, Seed
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Energy & Environment, DeepTech
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 22, 2026
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