π Last Updated: February 22, 2026 | New startups added weekly
Looking for recently funded Australia startups? This startup database provides 810+ verified companies with decision-maker contacts and funding details updated weekly. Australia startups raised a record $5.4 billion in 2024, making them prime targets for B2B sales teams and investors worldwide.
Our B2B lead database for Australian startups includes verified founder emails, funding amounts, investor details, and company intelligenceβeverything your sales team needs for targeted outreach to recently funded companies.
Below, you’ll find 100 recently funded Australia startups with actionable data you can use today.
π Jump to the List of 100 Funded Australia Startups
Quick Stats: Australian Startup Funding in 2025
- π Major hubs: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
- π° Total funding 2024: $5.4 billion across 380+ deals
- π’ Australia Startups tracked: 810 companies in our database
- π Growth rate: 68% increase year-over-year
- π― Top sectors: FinTech (28%), AI (24%), HealthTech (18%)
Table of Contents
Why Australia Startups Lead the Asia-Pacific
Australia startups have rapidly emerged as leaders in the Asia-Pacific region’s most dynamic tech ecosystem. The nation’s tech sector now employs over 935,000 people and contributes more than $167 billion annually to the Australian economy. Several factors drive momentum for Australia startups:
- Strategic Geographic Position: Australia startups serve as a bridge between Asian and Western markets, offering unique access to the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region
- Strong Government Support: Programs like the R&D Tax Incentive, Export Market Development Grants (EMDG), and the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative actively support innovation for Australia startups
- World-Class Education: Australian universities rank among the top globally for research output, with institutions like UNSW, University of Melbourne, and University of Sydney producing thousands of STEM graduates who fuel Australia startups annually
- Diverse Talent Pool: With 30% of Australia’s population born overseas, Australia startups benefit from multicultural perspectives and global networks
- Stable Regulatory Environment: Clear IP protection, strong rule of law, and supportive business regulations create confidence for both founders and investors in Australia startups
According to the Australian Tech Industry Report 2024, the sector is projected to add $250 billion in value to the economy by 2030, reinforcing the position of Australia startups as global innovation leaders.
Recently Funded Australia Startups
Below is our curated database of the 100 most recently funded Australian startups. This data is updated weekly and sourced from Crunchbase, ASX filings, ASIC documents, and direct company announcements from Australia startups.
| Name | Website | Industry | Country | Funding Amount (USD) | Funding Type | Last Funding Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied EV | appliedev.com | EV, Automotive, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Cloud Computing, Hardware, Logistics, Robotics, Transportation | Australia | $40,000,000 | Series B | February 2026 |
| AutoGrab | autograb.com.au | Automotive, Analytics, B2B Software, Data, Finance, Insurance | Australia | $55,287,603 | Series B | February 2026 |
| AstraSync AI | astrasync.ai | Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, B2B Software, Cyber Security | Australia | Seed | February 2026 | |
| Teacherβs Buddy | teachersbuddy.com | Education, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | Australia | $1,389,757 | Seed | February 2026 |
| CorePlan | Coreplan.io | B2B Software, Analytics, Materials | Australia | $3,483,211 | Venture - Series Unknown | February 2026 |
| Agentsy | agentsy.ai | Real Estate, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Data | Australia | $700,000 | Pre-Seed | February 2026 |
| Nullify | nullify.ai | Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | Australia | $12,500,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Adora | adora.so | Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | Australia | $7,000,543 | Seed | February 2026 |
| splose | splose.com | Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | Australia | $32,364,691 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Fluency | usefluency.com | B2B Software, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Data | Australia | $6,000,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Operata | operata.com | B2B Software, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, Cloud Computing, Data | Australia | $11,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| AmPro Innovations | amproinnovations.com | 3D, Hardware, Manufacturing | Australia | Series B | February 2026 | |
| HAMR Energy | hamrenergy.com | Energy, Chemicals, Environment | Australia | $10,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| OncoRes Medical | oncoresmedical.com | Healthcare, Hardware | Australia | $19,225,388 | Venture - Series Unknown | February 2026 |
| eCactus | weiheng-tech.com | Energy, Electronics, Hardware | Australia | $14,440,642 | Series B | February 2026 |
| Neara | neara.com | B2B Software, 3D, Analytics, Cloud Computing, Data | Australia | $63,322,444 | Series D | February 2026 |
| Arlula | arlula.com | Aerospace, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Data | Australia | $3,500,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Parachute | goparachute.ai | Legal, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | Australia | $1,254,392 | Pre-Seed | February 2026 |
| Fluent Commerce | fluentcommerce.com | B2B Software, Cloud Computing, Data, E-commerce, Logistics, Retail | Australia | $32,490,465 | Private Equity | February 2026 |
| Kalfresh Vegetables | kalfresh.com.au | Agriculture, Food and Beverage, Manufacturing | Australia | $80,000,000 | Private Equity | February 2026 |
| GrazeMate | grazemate.com | Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, Drones, Hardware, Robotics | Australia | $1,200,000 | Pre-Seed | January 2026 |
| EstateXchange | estatexchange.com.au | Legal, B2B Software, Marketplace, Professional Services | Australia | $8,383,804 | Seed | January 2026 |
| Cecil | cecil.earth | Environment, Finance, B2B Software, Data, Investing | Australia | $25,900,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 |
| HabitTrade | habittrade.com | FinTech, Finance, B2B Software, Investing | Australia | $10,000,000 | Series A | January 2026 |
| Gilmour Space Technologies | gspace.com | Aerospace, Hardware, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering | Australia | $145,928,167 | Series E | January 2026 |
| MEQ Probe | meqsolutions.com | Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, B2B Software, Data, Food and Beverage, Hardware | Australia | $15,282,453 | Series A | December 2025 |
| Fremantle Seaweed | fremantleseaweed.com | Agriculture, Environment, Marine | Australia | $1,506,828 | Seed | December 2025 |
| All G | allg.com | Biotechnology, Wellness, Food and Beverage, Nutrition and Supplements | Australia | $6,625,777 | Convertible Note | December 2025 |
| Kasada | kasada.io | Cyber Security, B2B Software | Australia | $19,877,330 | Venture - Series Unknown | December 2025 |
| IND Technology | ind-technology.com | Cyber Security, Data | Australia | $33,222,724 | Venture - Series Unknown | December 2025 |
| Hachiko | hachiko.energy | Energy, B2B Software, Analytics, Data, Finance | Australia | $2,500,000 | Seed | December 2025 |
| Agile Energy | agileenergy.com.au | Energy, Environment, Utilities | Australia | Venture - Series Unknown | December 2025 | |
| AUDD | audd.digital | FinTech, Finance, Blockchain | Australia | $3,317,425 | Seed | December 2025 |
| My Emergency Dr | myemergencydr.com | Healthcare, B2C Software, Mobile | Australia | $1,994,137 | Venture - Series Unknown | December 2025 |
| Llusern Scientific | llusern.co.uk | Healthcare, Biotechnology | Australia | $56,703 | Equity Crowdfunding | December 2025 |
| GenAqua | genaqua.com.au | Healthcare, Electronics, Environment, Hardware, Manufacturing | Australia | $199,045 | Pre-Seed | December 2025 |
| Ferronova | ferronova.com.au | Healthcare, Hardware, Manufacturing | Australia | $6,000,000 | Series A | December 2025 |
| National Storage | nationalstorage.com.au | Home Services, Property Management, Real Estate, Logistics | Australia | Private Equity | December 2025 | |
| Nbryo | nbryo.com | Agriculture, Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence | Australia | $10,000,000 | Seed | November 2025 |
| Drone-Hand | drone-hand.com | Agriculture, Drones, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics | Australia | $471,892 | Pre-Seed | November 2025 |
| Auric Essentials | auricnow.com | Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Wellness | Australia | $400,000 | Seed | November 2025 |
| Zeligate.ai | zeligate.ai | Artificial Intelligence, Recruiting, Human Resources, B2B Software | Australia | $500,000 | Seed | November 2025 |
| RAGE Biotech | ragebiotech.com | Biotechnology | Australia | $19,006,747 | Series A | November 2025 |
| SecurePII | securepii.cloud | Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, Finance | Australia | $3,500,000 | Seed | November 2025 |
| Keeyu | keeyu.com | E-commerce, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | Australia | $1,503,235 | Pre-Seed | November 2025 |
| Teacherβs Buddy | teachersbuddy.com | Education, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | Australia | $1,197,062 | Seed | November 2025 |
| Stillwater Provisions | stillwaterprovisions.com | Food and Beverage, Hospitality | Australia | Private Equity | November 2025 | |
| Hopr | drinkhopr.com.au | Food and Beverage, Wellness | Australia | $3,000,000 | Seed | November 2025 |
| Human Health | human.health | Healthcare | Australia | $5,595,212 | Seed | November 2025 |
| Lumonous | lumonus.com | Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence | Australia | $16,271,285 | Series B | November 2025 |
| Medow Health | medowhealth.ai | Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | Australia | $1,934,096 | Seed | November 2025 |
| Hullbot | hullbot.com | Marine, Robotics, Analytics, Environment | Australia | $16,000,000 | Series A | November 2025 |
| Giftbee | giftbee.com | Marketplace, B2B Software | Australia | $655,356 | Seed | November 2025 |
| ULUU | uluu.com.au | Materials, Environment, Consumer Goods | Australia | $10,577,282 | Series A | November 2025 |
| The Memo | thememo.com.au | Retail, Family | Australia | $12,941,206 | Venture - Series Unknown | November 2025 |
| SwarmFarm Robotics | swarmfarm.com | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Robotics | Australia | $30,000,000 | Series B | October 2025 |
| Vloggi | vloggi.ai | Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | Australia | $750,000 | Equity Crowdfunding | October 2025 |
| Enhance Labs | enhancelabs.ai | Artificial Intelligence | Australia | $1,520,752 | Pre-Seed | October 2025 |
| Octopus Deploy | octopus.com | B2B Software | Australia | $29,925,560 | Venture - Series Unknown | October 2025 |
| ROLLER | roller.software | B2B Software, Information Technology, Entertainment | Australia | $50,000,000 | Private Equity | October 2025 |
| Ena Respiratory | enarespiratory.com | Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare | Australia | $22,400,000 | Series B | October 2025 |
| Lift Women | liftwomen.com | Community, Finance, Professional Services | Australia | $859,555 | Venture - Series Unknown | October 2025 |
| Lucent | lucenthq.com | Data | Australia | $1,310,200 | Pre-Seed | October 2025 |
| Amber Electric | amber.com.au | Energy | Australia | $10,000,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | October 2025 |
| Solution Energy | solutionenergy.com.au | Energy, Environment | Australia | $2,000,000 | Seed | October 2025 |
| Good Heat | goodheat.energy | Energy, Environment | Australia | $2,000,000 | Pre-Seed | October 2025 |
| Optimaze | optimazehq.com | Finance, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence | Australia | $3,000,000 | Pre-Seed | October 2025 |
| Inaam | inaam.me | FinTech, Finance, Investing | Australia | $324,175 | Pre-Seed | October 2025 |
| PredicTx Health | predictx.health | Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence | Australia | $1,600,000 | Pre-Seed | October 2025 |
| Heidi Health | heidihealth.com | Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | Australia | $65,000,000 | Series B | October 2025 |
| 2cloudnine | 2cloudnine.com | Human Resources | Australia | $4,870,810 | Venture - Series Unknown | October 2025 |
| Nexl | nexl.cloud | Information Technology | Australia | $23,000,000 | Series B | October 2025 |
| FreightTracker | freighttracker.com.au | Logistics, Transportation | Australia | Private Equity | October 2025 | |
| Conry Tech | conrytech.com | Utilities | Australia | $1,945,047 | Seed | October 2025 |
| Voltaire Legal | voltairelegal.com | Artificial Intelligence | Australia | Pre-Seed | September 2025 | |
| Firmus Technologies | firmus.co | Artificial Intelligence, Data | Australia | $220,156,458 | Private Equity | September 2025 |
| Onsite | onsite.fm | B2B Software, Property Management, Real Estate | Australia | $20,000 | Pre-Seed | September 2025 |
| Fleetyr | fleetyr.com | Data, Analytics, Transportation | Australia | $495,549 | Seed | September 2025 |
| ATEC | atecglobal.io | Environment | Australia | $15,500,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | September 2025 |
| Hearables 3D | hearables3d.com | Healthcare, 3D | Australia | $5,800,000 | Series A | September 2025 |
| Isaacus | isaacus.com | Legal, Artificial Intelligence | Australia | $466,321 | Pre-Seed | September 2025 |
| Andromeda Robotics | dromeda.com.au | Manufacturing, Hardware | Australia | $15,142,238 | Series A | September 2025 |
| Rightship | rightship.com | Marine | Australia | Private Equity | September 2025 | |
| Nevam | nevamcx.com | Marketing, Analytics, B2B Software | Australia | $1,200,000 | Seed | September 2025 |
| Puralink | puralink.com.au | Robotics | Australia | $2,300,000 | Seed | September 2025 |
| Wable | hellowable.com | Social Network, Cloud Computing, Community | Australia | $985,042 | Series A | September 2025 |
| Morse Micro | morsemicro.com | Telecommunications, Electronics, Hardware | Australia | $58,017,987 | Series C | September 2025 |
| Hall | usehall.com | Artificial Intelligence | Australia | $2,000,000 | Pre-Seed | August 2025 |
| v2food | v2food.com | Biotechnology | Australia | $16,590,420 | Venture - Series Unknown | August 2025 |
| CleanPeak Energy | cleanpeakenergy.com.au | Energy | Australia | $328,544,685 | Private Equity | August 2025 |
| Lorikeet | lorikeetcx.ai | Artificial Intelligence | Australia | $35,000,000 | Series A | August 2025 |
| Avya | theavyproject.io | Blockchain | Australia | $400,000 | Pre-Seed | August 2025 |
| Qloud Games | loftia.gg | Cloud Computing, Gaming | Australia | $5,000,000 | Seed | August 2025 |
| Syenta | syenta.com. | Electronics | Australia | $5,705,302 | Seed | August 2025 |
| Cuttable | cuttable.com | Marketing, Cloud Computing | Australia | $4,500,000 | Seed | August 2025 |
| Source Certain | sourcecertain.com | Agriculture | Australia | Venture - Series Unknown | August 2025 | |
| Block Earner | blockearner.com.au | Blockchain, FinTech, Finance | Australia | $5,204,799 | Series A | August 2025 |
| OSW | osw.energy | Energy | Australia | $5,476,846 | Venture - Series Unknown | August 2025 |
| The Laundry Lady | thelaundrylady.com.au | Mobile | Australia | $1,000,000 | Seed | August 2025 |
| Coursebox | coursebox.ai | Artificial Intelligence, Education | Australia | $750,000 | Seed | August 2025 |
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Australia Startups at a Glance
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- Number of Australia startups in our database: 979
- Number of verified email addresses in our database: 1,242
- Number of social profiles in our database: 2,332
- Other data points stored: 14,048
- Total funding raised in 2025: $2,568,236,737
- Total funding raised in 2026: $35,483,804
*Other funding includes private equity, debt financing, and various other types of capital.
| Industry | % of Total Funding | Notable Rounds |
|---|---|---|
| FinTech | 28% | $1.5B+ total |
| Artificial Intelligence | 24% | $1.3B+ total |
| HealthTech | 18% | $980M total |
| CleanTech | 14% | $760M total |
| Other | 16% | Various stages |
Top Industries for Australia Startups
FinTech Leadership
Australia startups have established the country as a global FinTech powerhouse, with Sydney ranking among the world’s top 10 FinTech hubs. FinTech startups in Australia raised over $1.5 billion in 2024, representing 28% of all startup funding. The sector benefits from strong regulatory support through ASIC’s innovation initiatives and proximity to Asia-Pacific financial markets.
Major success stories among Australia startups include Afterpay (acquired by Block for $29 billion), Airwallex (valued at $5.5 billion), and Zip Co (valued at $2 billion). The ecosystem continues to produce innovative companies in payments, lending, wealth management, and blockchain technology. The Australian FinTech industry now employs over 10,000 people across 700+ companies.
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
AI startups in Australia captured $1.3 billion in funding during 2024, with particular strength in applied AI for industries like agriculture, mining, and healthcare. Australia startups in the AI sector benefit from world-class research institutions, with CSIRO’s Data61 leading commercialisation efforts.
The sector has produced notable Australia startups like Harrison.ai (medical imaging AI), Flamingo AI (computer vision), and Hyper Anna (analytics AI). The Australian government’s National AI Action Plan and the $124 million AI and Digital Capability Centers program demonstrate strong policy support for continued growth among Australia startups in this sector.
HealthTech & Digital Health
HealthTech startups in Australia raised $980 million in 2024, driven by strong healthcare infrastructure and an aging population creating demand for innovative solutions. The sector includes telehealth platforms, medical devices, digital therapeutics, and health data analytics companies.
Success stories among Australia startups include Eucalyptus (telehealth, valued at $1.5 billion), Seer Medical (epilepsy monitoring), and ResApp Health (respiratory diagnostics acquired by Pfizer). Australia’s universal healthcare system provides both a testing ground for innovations and clear pathways to market adoption for Australia startups.
CleanTech & Sustainability
With abundant renewable energy resources and strong government climate commitments, CleanTech startups in Australia attracted $760 million in 2024. The sector spans renewable energy, carbon capture, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy solutions.
Notable Australia startups include Sun Cable (renewable energy transmission), Morse Micro (IoT for smart cities), and Quantum Energy (battery storage). The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has invested over $2 billion in clean energy innovation, creating a supportive ecosystem for climate tech founders among Australia startups.
Explore More Funded Startups by Industry
Looking for startups in other sectors? Check out our comprehensive lists:
- B2B SaaS Startups β Software companies serving business customers
- E-commerce Startups β Digital retail innovators
- EdTech Startups β Education technology companies
- AgTech Startups β Agricultural innovation
- PropTech Startups β Real estate technology
- Recently Funded Startups β Latest funding announcements across all industries
Australia Startup Hubs: City-by-City Breakdown
Sydney: Australia’s Startup Capital
Sydney dominates the Australian startup landscape, accounting for approximately 45% of all venture capital investment. The city’s advantages include proximity to major Asian markets, a deep talent pool from universities like UNSW and University of Sydney, and the largest concentration of venture capital firms in the country.
Key Sydney startup precincts include the Tech Central precinct (stretching from Central Station to Circular Quay), the Sydney Startup Hub in Wynyard, and Stone & Chalk fintech hub. Major companies headquartered in Sydney include Canva (graphic design, valued at $40 billion), Atlassian (collaboration software, public company worth $46 billion), and SafetyCulture (operations platform, valued at $2.2 billion).
Sales teams using a verified startup contacts database will find Sydney represents the richest concentration of high-value targets in the Australian market.
Melbourne: Creative Tech Hub
Melbourne has emerged as Australia’s second-largest startup ecosystem, known for its strength in creative industries, healthtech, and SaaS companies. The city raised approximately $1.8 billion across 150+ deals in 2024, representing 33% of national startup funding.
Melbourne’s advantages include lower cost of living compared to Sydney, strong university research output (University of Melbourne, Monash University), and a vibrant arts and culture scene that attracts creative tech talent. Notable Melbourne startups include Myob (accounting software), Culture Amp (employee engagement), and Envato (digital assets marketplace).
Brisbane: Emerging Innovation Center
Brisbane’s startup ecosystem has experienced rapid growth, with funding increasing 120% between 2023 and 2024. The city is establishing itself as a center for agricultural technology, mining innovation, and logistics tech, leveraging Queensland’s traditional industry strengths.
The Queensland government’s $650 million Advance Queensland initiative has accelerated ecosystem development. River City Labs and The Capital coworking spaces anchor the Brisbane startup community. Notable Brisbane companies include Flamingo AI (computer vision), Dovetail (user research platform), and Employment Hero (HR software).
Australian Startup Funding Trends
Series A Momentum
Australian startups raised significant Series A funding in 2024, with rounds ranging from $8 million to $45 million. The median Series A size increased to $18 million, up from $12 million in 2023, reflecting investor confidence in proven business models.
Notable Series A rounds include Harrison.ai ($35 million for medical imaging AI), Eucalyptus ($40 million for telehealth platform expansion), and Athena Home Loans ($25 million for digital mortgage platform).
This trend indicates Australian startups are successfully navigating the “valley of death” between seed and growth stages, with investors backing companies demonstrating clear product-market fit and revenue traction.
πΌ Selling to Series A Startups?
Australia startups that just raised Series A funding are actively building teams and buying tools. Many B2B sales teams rely on a startup database to identify these companies the moment they close a round β when budgets are freshest and buying intent is highest. Get weekly lists of newly funded Australia startups with verified decision-maker contacts, or request a custom list of Series A companies in your target industry.
Late-Stage Growth Capital
Late-stage funding (Series B and Series C) in Australia totaled $833 million in 2024. While smaller than early-stage investment, this represents healthy ecosystem maturation with companies scaling successfully.
Major late-stage rounds included Airwallex ($100 million Series E extension, total valuation $5.5 billion), GO1 ($40 million Series D for corporate learning platform), and Linktree ($45 million Series C for link-in-bio platform). International investors are increasingly participating in Australian late-stage rounds, recognising the country’s ability to produce globally competitive companies.
Government Support & Incentives
The Australian government provides substantial support for startups through multiple programs:
- R&D Tax Incentive: Offers tax offsets of up to 43.5% for eligible R&D expenditure, providing critical cash flow support for early-stage companies
- Export Market Development Grants (EMDG): Reimburses up to 50% of export promotion expenses, helping startups access international markets
- Modern Manufacturing Initiative: $1.3 billion program supporting technology commercialisation in manufacturing
- Entrepreneurs’ Programme: Provides expert advice and funding for high-growth potential businesses
State governments also offer targeted programs, with Victoria’s Startup Victoria initiative, NSW’s MVP Ventures, and Queensland’s Advance Queensland providing additional support layers.
2025 Australian Startup Innovation Trends
The Australian startup landscape in 2025 is being reshaped by several transformative technologies and business models.
AI-First Business Models: Over 300 Australian startups are now building AI-native solutions, with particular strength in agricultural AI, mining optimisation, and climate modelling. These companies leverage Australia’s unique datasets and industry expertise to create globally competitive solutions.
Climate Tech Acceleration: With abundant renewable energy resources and strong government climate commitments, Australian climate tech startups are attracting international investors. Companies focused on green hydrogen, carbon sequestration, and sustainable materials are seeing significant funding growth.
HealthTech Integration: Digital health solutions are moving beyond telehealth to comprehensive chronic disease management, mental health support, and preventive care. Australian startups benefit from partnerships with the public health system, enabling real-world validation and faster adoption.
Asia-Pacific Market Access: Australian startups are increasingly treating Australia as a testbed before expanding into larger Asian markets. Companies are establishing dual headquarters in Sydney/Singapore or Melbourne/Hong Kong to access regional capital and customers.
2025 Market Insights
- 68% increase in total venture capital investment year-over-year
- Average seed round size: $2.8 million (up from $2.1 million in 2023)
- 42% of funded startups now have international co-founders
- Female-founded startups raised 18% of total capital (up from 13% in 2023)
- Brisbane emerged as fastest-growing startup hub (120% funding increase)
How Australia Compares to Global Startup Ecosystems
Australia vs. Singapore
While Singapore raised more total capital ($8.2 billion vs. Australia’s $5.4 billion in 2024), Australia produces more early-stage companies and has a broader geographic distribution. Singapore excels in attracting regional headquarters and international capital, while Australia demonstrates strength in deeptech and B2B software.
Both ecosystems serve as Asia-Pacific gateways, but with different advantages. Singapore offers superior access to Southeast Asian markets and more established international investor presence, while Australia provides larger domestic market validation, stronger R&D tax incentives, and English-language market access.
Australia vs. UK
The UK startup ecosystem raised Β£10.8 billion in 2024 (approximately $13.7 billion USD), approximately 2.5x Australia’s total. However, Australia demonstrates competitive performance on a per-capita basis and shows particular strength in specific verticals like FinTech and AgTech.
Australian startups benefit from less competition for talent and investor attention compared to the crowded London market. Australian founders often establish UK entities when targeting European expansion. Canada startups offer a useful comparison point for similar market dynamics.
Australia vs. Major Startup Hubs: By The Numbers
| Country/City | 2024 Funding | Ecosystem Rank | Unicorns | Top Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | $5.4B | #15 Global | 32 | FinTech |
| Singapore | $8.2B | #12 Global | 41 | FinTech |
| UK | Β£10.8B ($13.7B) | #3 Global | 144 | FinTech |
| Canada | $6.8B | #14 Global | 38 | AI/ML |
| India | $11.4B | #10 Global | 108 | SaaS |
The Australian Startup Support System
Key Accelerators & Incubators
Australia’s accelerator ecosystem provides critical early-stage support:
- Startmate: Australia’s leading accelerator, has backed over 400 companies including Airwallex, SafetyCulture, and Eucalyptus. Provides $75K investment plus intensive mentorship.
- BlueChilli: Focuses on deeptech and SaaS companies, with strong corporate partnerships for customer validation.
- muru-D: Telstra-backed accelerator supporting high-growth tech startups with $120K investment and global network access.
- Stone & Chalk: FinTech-focused hub with programs in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide.
- CSIRO ON: Government-backed accelerator for deeptech startups commercialising research.
Venture Capital Landscape
Australia’s VC ecosystem has matured significantly, with over 200 active venture capital firms managing approximately $10 billion in assets under management.
Early Stage:
- Blackbird Ventures β Backs ambitious tech founders building global companies
- AirTree Ventures β Focus on transformational technology companies
- Square Peg Capital β Supports founders building category-defining businesses
Late Stage:
- OneVentures β Deeptech and life sciences specialist
- Main Sequence Ventures β CSIRO-backed deeptech investor
- Reinventure β Westpac-backed fintech and proptech investor
International investors including Sequoia Capital, Insight Partners, and Tiger Global are increasingly participating in Australian rounds, validating the ecosystem’s maturity.
Talent & Education Pipeline
Australia’s education system produces over 50,000 STEM graduates annually from top-ranked universities β University of Melbourne (#1 in Australia, strong in AI research), UNSW Sydney (leading computer science programs), University of Sydney (business and tech commercialisation), and Monash University (strong data science and healthcare technology). The country’s skilled migration program attracts international talent, with 30% of Australia’s population born overseas.
Using Startup Databases for B2B Outreach
Finding recently funded Australia startups manually β through press releases, TechCrunch, and LinkedIn searches β is time-consuming and often incomplete. A comprehensive startup database provides verified contacts, funding details, and decision-maker information updated weekly, so your team can act before competitors do.
When evaluating startup lead databases for Australian outreach, prioritise:
- Data freshness β Weekly updates vs. quarterly refreshes
- Contact verification β Direct founder/CEO emails vs. generic info@ addresses
- Funding intelligence β Round size, investors, date of announcement
- Decision-maker access β C-suite and founder contacts, not just company info
Access to a B2B lead database accelerates prospecting by 10x compared to manual research. Growth List maintains the most current database for B2B sales teams targeting startups, with 100 new funded companies added every week across Australia and globally.
Start Free Trial β 100 Leads | Request Custom List
Frequently Asked Questions About Australian Startups
What makes Australia’s startup ecosystem unique?
Australia’s startup ecosystem benefits from several unique advantages: strategic geographic position bridging Asian and Western markets, strong government R&D incentives including the R&D Tax Incentive program, world-class universities producing research-driven innovations, stable regulatory environment with clear IP protection, and multicultural talent pool with 30% of the population born overseas. The ecosystem has produced 32 unicorns including Canva, Atlassian, and Afterpay, demonstrating Australia’s ability to build globally significant companies despite a relatively small domestic market of 26 million people.
How much funding do Australian startups typically raise?
Australian startup funding varies by stage and sector. Seed rounds typically range from $1-4 million, with the median at $2.8 million in 2024. Series A rounds average $18 million, up from $12 million in 2023, while Series B and later rounds range from $25-100 million. FinTech and AI companies typically raise larger rounds due to capital-intensive business models. Total Australian startup funding reached $5.4 billion in 2024, a 68% increase from 2023.
Which cities have the strongest startup ecosystems in Australia?
Sydney dominates with 45% of national venture capital investment, offering proximity to Asian markets, the largest talent pool, and most concentrated VC presence. Melbourne accounts for 33% of funding with strength in creative tech, healthtech, and SaaS. Brisbane emerged as the fastest-growing hub with 120% funding increase, focusing on agtech, mining tech, and logistics. Other emerging ecosystems include Perth (mining and energy tech), Adelaide (defense tech), and Canberra (cybersecurity and deeptech near government research facilities).
What government programs support Australian startups?
The Australian government provides extensive startup support: R&D Tax Incentive offers up to 43.5% tax offset for eligible R&D expenditure, Export Market Development Grants reimburse up to 50% of export promotion expenses, the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative supports technology commercialization, the Entrepreneurs’ Programme provides expert advice and funding, and the $124 million AI and Digital Capability Centers program accelerates AI adoption. State governments also offer targeted support through programs like Advance Queensland ($650M), NSW MVP Ventures, and Startup Victoria.
How can I connect with recently funded Australian startups?
The most effective approach is reaching out immediately after funding announcements when startups are actively seeking vendors, tools, and services. Growth List maintains a database of 810 Australian startups with 1,021 double-verified email addresses and detailed contact information for CEOs and decision-makers. We send weekly updates of recently funded Australian startups directly to subscribers. Sign up to receive 100 leads free and gain access to funding amounts, company details, verified contact information, and LinkedIn profiles.
What are the most active venture capital firms in Australia?
Leading Australian VC firms by investment activity include Blackbird Ventures (backed Canva, SafetyCulture), AirTree Ventures (invested in Linktree, Eucalyptus), and Square Peg Capital (portfolio includes Go1, Pet Circle). Sector specialists include Main Sequence Ventures for deeptech, OneVentures for life sciences, and Reinventure for fintech. International firms increasingly active in Australia include Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global, and Insight Partners. Government-backed funds like Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) also play significant roles in specific sectors.
What is the best startup database for finding Australian leads?
The best startup database for Australian B2B sales provides weekly-updated funding data, verified decision-maker contacts (not just company info), and filtering by industry, city, and funding stage. Growth List specialises in recently funded startups across Australia with 810+ companies tracked, direct founder and C-suite email addresses, and funding details from Seed through Series D. Other options include Crunchbase (broader dataset, less contact detail) and PitchBook (enterprise pricing). For teams specifically targeting funded startups, a specialised B2B lead database outperforms general business directories significantly.
Where can I find verified Australian startup decision-maker contacts?
Verified decision-maker contacts for Australian startups are available through specialised startup lead databases like Growth List, which maintains direct email addresses for founders and C-suite executives. LinkedIn Sales Navigator provides contact discovery but requires manual verification and doesn’t include funding intelligence. Crunchbase offers company profiles but limited contact export. For teams doing volume outreach, accessing verified startup contacts through a weekly-updated database is substantially faster and more accurate than manual research.
How do I build a B2B lead list targeting Australian startups?
Building a targeted lead list for Australian startups requires three things: tracking funding announcements as they happen, verifying company and contact details, and finding the right decision-maker at each company. Manual approaches using Crunchbase, TechCrunch, and LinkedIn typically take 15β20 hours to build 100 verified leads. A dedicated startup database like Growth List provides pre-verified lists updated weekly, with Australia-specific filtering by city, industry, and funding stage β reducing list-building from hours to minutes. Learn more about how to build a startup lead list.
Related Startup Ecosystems
Exploring startup ecosystems beyond Australia? Check out our other comprehensive country and city guides:
Asia-Pacific Regions
International Hubs
- Recently funded startups in the UK
- Recently funded startups in Canada
- Recently funded startups in Brazil
- Recently funded startups in Germany
United States Markets
- Recently funded startups in NYC
- Recently funded startups in San Francisco
- Recently funded startups in Boston
- Recently funded startups (all USA)
