Ignition

Two Sydney teenagers are building AI startups before they finish school

Report on OpenAI's Sydney Founder Day profiling two school-student founders: one whose gaming-advertising venture has raised pre-seed funding, and one building a platform helping small businesses coordinate their tools.

EVP Fund V: Backing the Next Generation of AI-First B2B Software

EVP says its fifth fund is live and nearing its $100 million cap, with most commitments from returning backers; the post describes its Series A business-software strategy and names portfolio companies.

Investment Notes: Why We Invested in SprintSuite

EVP sets out its case for backing SprintSuite, an operations platform for mining and engineering service firms co-founded by Fredy Galindo Jr. and Sandra Harris, citing insider credibility and strong early growth.

Also Startup Daily·SmartCompany

Investment Notes: Why We Invested in SprintSuite

EVP's investment note reflects on its backing of SprintSuite, built for mining-sector service companies by founders with industry roots, citing insider credibility, rapid growth and a large untapped market.

Investment Notes: Vinyl

Tidal Ventures sets out why it led the seed investment in Vinyl, whose software turns accounting firms' client conversations into structured insights, profiling the market, product plans, and founding team.

Four Aussie startups that raised $38.4 million this week

Weekly roundup covering fresh raises by four Australian startups: Ignition's banking facility, HEO Robotics' Series A, Laronix's seed round and Haast's pre-seed, plus a past ACT grant.

Also Australian FinTech·SmartCompany·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·Forbes Australia·Wholesale Investor

Software-focused VC EVP bags $100 million for its 4th fund

Venture firm EVP has wrapped up the final close of its fourth fund at its $100m target, lifting total assets managed past $270m; recent raises by portfolio companies Hnry and Zipline are also noted.

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: Medoo

AfterWork Ventures explains why it led coaching-software startup Medoo's pre-seed round, profiling its two founders' operating backgrounds and arguing workplace trends will drive adoption of coaching tools.

Also Afterwork Ventures portfolio

Insurtech startup AuditCover books $1.7 million Seed round

Tax audit insurtech AuditCover has raised a $1.7 million seed round led by Hunter Equity Group, with angels and Greenlight Re participating, and appointed Claire Wivell Plater as a director.

Also Techboard

Ignition appoints Andrew Baker as Senior Adviser

Ignition hires Andrew Baker as Senior Adviser to advise on Asia Pacific and global pension strategy. He previously founded Tria Investment Partners and held roles at NMG Consulting and AustralianSuper.

Ignition launches into the UK market, offering true digital advice solutions to the financial services sector

Advice technology provider Ignition expands into the UK with offices in London and Edinburgh, shortly after closing an AUD26 million Series B led by Morgan Stanley.

Also SmartCompany

Ignition Advice welcomes Russell Scrimshaw to growing global team

Ignition Advice appoints Russell Scrimshaw as deputy chairman and non-executive director, adds two business development hires, and recalls its 2020 Series B raise with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

Ignition Advice appoints Robert Coulter to growing global team

Ignition Advice hired Robert Coulter as APAC business development director while expanding globally after its 2020 Series B raise backed by Morgan Stanley.

Ignition engages Morgan Stanley Wealth Management for additional capital raise

Ignition Advice has hired Morgan Stanley to seek up to $35 million at a $105 million post-money valuation through a Series B and partial sell-down, with an IPO flagged for 2022. Nothing is closed yet.