Funds SA

🇦🇺 This Week in Australian Startups #180, 4th October 2026

Weekly roundup reporting Australian startup funding rounds and government grants, a venture fund close, agreed acquisitions, an IPO pricing, a collapse, plus executive hires and AI policy developments.

Eastend Ventures closes $30 million debut fund

Adelaide early-stage venture firm Eastend Ventures has finalised its first fund at $30 million, with Funds SA as cornerstone backer, and reports seven investments and more than $8 million already deployed.

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Funds SA invests $5 million in Eastend Ventures' debut fund

South Australia's government investment corporation has put $5 million into Eastend Ventures' debut fund, lifting commitments beyond $25 million as the vehicle nears a final close.

Also Startup Daily·This Week in Australian Startups

Cheque-in: four ANZ startups raised $307.1 million in mid-January

Roundup of four ANZ raises: a Queensland rocket company's nine-figure Series E, a New Zealand legal-AI firm's Series B, a seed round for AI code-security, and a Melbourne construction-software raise.

Four ANZ startups that raised $307.1 million this week

Roundup of four ANZ raises totalling over $307m: Gilmour Space's Series E, Ivo's Series B, Dam Secure's seed round and SPEC Toolbox's pre-Series A, plus a board appointment at Dam Secure.

Rocket fuel: Gilmour Space hits unicorn status after $217 million Series E

Rocket firm Gilmour Space raised a $217 million Series E co-led by the National Reconstruction Fund and Hostplus, reaching a billion-dollar valuation; earlier Series B, C and D raises are recapped.

Investment Notes: Gilmour Space Series E

Blackbird's Rick Baker recounts backing rocket firm Gilmour Space from its 2017 Series A to a newly closed A$217 million Series E at a valuation above US$1 billion.

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