Startups | SmartCompany

Three ANZ startups that raised $61.4 million this week

Eloise Keating — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Keep reading to learn more about Syenta, Ideal, and Renewable Metals, which together raised more than $61 million this week.

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Samsara Eco and LSKD team up to make leggings out of infinitely recyclable fibres

Eloise Keating — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000

After inking a similar partnership with Lululemon, biotech startup Samsara Eco will work with activewear brand LSKD to make clothing out of recycled nylon 6,6.

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Finder cuts 54 jobs in latest global redundancy round

Tegan Jones — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 02:01:08 +0000

Finder has cut 54 roles in a new global redundancy round, marking a return to job cuts after multiple restructures across 2023 and 2024.

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Employment Hero wants to be your business’ legal employer with its new AI system

David Adams — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 01:51:54 +0000

Employment Hero has launched an AI-powered system handing responsibility for payroll, compliance, and super to the platform itself.

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Wolverine star Hugh Jackman joins Humanitix to take on ticketing fees

Simon Thomsen — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:28:14 +0000

Humanitix has tapped Hugh Jackman as its head of impact as the fast-growing social enterprise targets $100 million in charitable donations.

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AI chip maker Syenta raises $36 million to expand to the US

Simon Thomsen — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:04:38 +0000

The startup will use the new funding for the commercialisation of its technology for high-volume production and expanding into the United States.

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Seven ANZ startups that raised $71.8 million this week

Eloise Keating — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:19:35 +0000

The roster of startup funding deals looked slightly healthier this week, with seven ANZ startups raising $71.8 million in fresh funding.

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Pay.com.au postpones IPO plans as Iran war spooks investors

David Adams — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:55:05 +0000

Despite the IPO pause, Pay.com.au conducted a $20 million private placement, which a spokesperson said valued the business at $750 million.

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Uluu secures $2.1 million in federal funding to scale its seaweed-based plastic alternative

Morganne Kopittke — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:08:36 +0000

Perth startup Uluu has secured $2.1 million through the Industry Growth Program to supercharge its mission to replace plastic with seaweed.

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WA startups score $2.5 million in Cook Government innovation funding

Tegan Jones — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:31:17 +0000

Western Australia has awarded $2.5 million to startups, accelerators and founder programs under the Innovation Pathways Program.

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