Craig Cowdrey

Eight Aussie startups that raised $104.4 million this week

Weekly roundup of eight Australian startup raises, led by Sonder's $40 million round, plus AMP's $20 million raise and acquisition of the Shopify app Back in Stock.

Also Startup Daily·Defence Connect·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·Startup Daily·Defence Connect·Forbes Australia

Sonder raises $40m from Blackbird Ventures, Seek, Hostplus

Sonder, a workplace health and wellbeing provider, closed a 40 million dollar round with Blackbird and Seek leading, Hostplus newly investing, and funds aimed at growth across Australia, New Zealand, Britain and AI features.

Also SmartCompany·Startup Daily

Alternative liquidity investor SecondQuarter raises $83 million for 2nd fund backed by Andrew Forrest, Sam Kroonenburg & Dom Pym

Secondaries fund SecondQuarter has reached an $83m first close on its second vehicle, aiming past $100m, with founder-angels and Minderoo among new backers; its portfolio includes past sales of ActivePipe and A Cloud Guru.

Also Techboard·Startup Daily

Investment Notes: Sonder

Blackbird's investment note sets out why the firm led employee wellbeing company Sonder's Series B, recalling its earlier pass, angel Paul Waide's seed backing, and the startup's shift from student safety to corporate wellness.

Also SmartCompany·Startup Daily·Startup Daily·Techboard·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·SmartCompany·TechCrunch Venture

Five startups, $63 million in funding: Who has taken home the cash this week?

A weekly roundup covering five funding rounds: HealthMatch's Series C, Monday Distillery's crowdfunding, Sonder's Series B, Lleaf's bridge round, and Spice AI's seed raise.