Funding announcement
WA mining software startup CorePlan strikes $5 million
Perth-based drilling and exploration software company CorePlan raised a follow-on round led by existing investor EVP to fund global expansion.
Startup · $579.8k raised
Rio Tinto
Perth, QLD
Disclosed deals
Every published round Rio Tinto took part in, and every parcel of existing shares it bought off another holder. Deals we hold but haven't published yet are not counted.
| Company | Stage | Announced | Amount | Role | Alongside | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ElectraLith | Series A | 15 Jan 2025 | $2m | Participant | Startup Daily, Breakthrough Victoria, Main Sequence Ventures portfolio | |
| ElectraLith | Series A | 16 Jan 2025 | $27.5m | Participant | RenewEconomy (Mon 10 Aug 2026), RenewEconomy (Mon 10 Aug 2026), Radium Capital (Wed 5 Nov 2025), Radium Capital (Fri 10 Oct 2025), SmartCompany (Fri 17 Jan 2025), Startup Daily, SmartCompany (Thu 16 Jan 2025), Main Sequence | |
| Calix | Unnamed stage | 17 Nov 2025 | $35m+ | Lead | RenewEconomy (Tue 18 Nov 2025), RenewEconomy (Tue 18 Nov 2025) |
Portfolio
Companies Rio Tinto has backed in a published round, and companies whose existing shares it bought off another holder.
| Company | What it does | First invested | Rounds | Led |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calix | 17 Nov 2025 | 1 | 1 | |
| ElectraLith | 15 Jan 2025, Series A | 2 | 0 |
Funds
Fund closes reported for Rio Tinto, as distinct from the investments it has made.
Portfolio companies acquired
Companies Rio Tinto has backed that another company then bought. An exit for the holding, not a deal Rio Tinto did.
| Company | Bought by | Kind | Announced | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No portfolio company of Rio Tinto is recorded as having been acquired. | ||||
What Rio Tinto bought
Companies Rio Tinto acquired or merged with, per published coverage. Buying a company is not investing in one: nothing here counts in the deals column.
Funding history
-
Grant : ≤$579,786
Investors
Every investor coverage indicates participated in a round Rio Tinto raised.
| Investor | Rounds | Invested |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) | Grant | $579,786 |
People
| Name | Role | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel van der Westhuizen | Acting Managing Director | RenewEconomy, ARENA |
| Jakob Stausholm | Chief Executive | @AuManufacturing |
| Leigh Staines | Executive (former) | SmartCompany, Startup Daily |
| Marnie Finlayson | Managing Director of Rio Tinto's Battery Materials Portfolio | RenewEconomy |
| Matthew Holcz | Iron Ore CEO | RenewEconomy (Tue 18 Nov 2025), RenewEconomy (Tue 18 Nov 2025) |
| Nigel Steward | Chief Scientist | RenewEconomy |
| Simon Trott | Chief Executive | @AuManufacturing |
| Sir Roderick Carnegie AC | Chief Executive, Chairman and Managing Director (former) | @AuManufacturing |
Coverage
Stories naming Rio Tinto. Where several outlets covered the same round, they are bundled under whichever ran the fullest account.
Unnamed stage
$15m
Mine drone mapping scaleup Emesent raises $15 million
Brisbane drone mapping firm Emesent secures $15 million SAFE Note plus $10 million venture debt from federal government's National Reconstruction Fund.
Funding announcement
Verona Capital buys control of Dredge Robotics in 3.4x exit for Acorn
Perth family office Verona Capital has bought majority control of mining-robotics maker Dredge Robotics, giving early investor Acorn Capital a 3.4x return, while the founders retain significant stakes and stay in charge.
Funding announcement
Mine drone mapping scaleup Emesent raises $15 million
Brisbane drone-mapping firm Emesent has raised $15 million via a SAFE note plus $10 million in venture debt from the National Reconstruction Fund — the fund's first such deal — four years after its Series A.
2 deals
Australian company says its magnetic technology could be key to green steel ambitions
Adelaide magnetic-technology venture DryFlow Magnetics, freshly backed by a $10 million seed round, will trial its waterless ore-extraction system at Peak Iron's Hawks Nest site, targeting premium iron for green steel.
12 deals
Eight ANZ startups that raised $373.3 million this week
Weekly roundup detailing eight trans-Tasman raises totalling A$373.3 million, headlined by Halter's Series E, spanning quantum computing, biomanufacturing, robotics, adtech and agtech, plus a recalled $2 billion founder exit.
Also Startup Daily
Series A
$8m
QIC backs $8m Series A for rail maintenance robotics startup
Brisbane robotics firm Future Maintenance Technologies has secured an $8 million Series A, with QIC Ventures leading and Brighter Super plus Taronga Group participating; its robots inspect rail networks and aircraft for global operators.
Also Startup Daily
Unnamed stage
$5m
CorePlan raises $5 million to expand its mining software platform
Perth-based mining software firm CorePlan has secured $5 million in a follow-on raise, with existing backer EVP leading, to grow its team and push into drilling and geology workflows; BHP is a user.
2 deals
Global mining giant makes $35m bet on Australian green steel technology
Rio Tinto has signed a $35m-plus agreement backing Calix's green-iron demo plant in Western Australia, a project that earlier won an ARENA grant of as much as $44.9 million.
Also RenewEconomy
2 deals
Radium Capital surpasses $1 billion in innovation funding
Radium Capital's R&D lending has passed $1 billion across 1,000-plus companies since 2017; case studies recall WeMoney's $12 million Series A and ElectraLith's $27.5 million Main Sequence-led round.
Also Startup Daily·Australian FinTech·SmartCompany·Fintech News Australia·Fintech News Australia
Exit / M&A
Edify to accelerate giant solar and battery hybrid projects after $1.1 billion buyout by Canada's La Caisse
Canadian investor La Caisse has agreed to buy Australian solar and storage developer Edify Energy for $1.1 billion, aiming to fast-track two major hybrid projects, subject to regulatory approvals.
Also RenewEconomy
Unnamed stage
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.
Funding announcement
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.
7 deals
Five Aussie startups that raised $85 million this week
Roundup of five Australian raises totalling $85 million: National Renewable Network's Series A, plus Syenta, Cuttable, SprintSuite and Bitwise Agronomy, with lead investors and expansion plans for each.
Funding announcement
Applications for WA’s Nature Tech Accelerator for biodiversity startups are open
Founders Factory is seeking applicants for the next intake of its Western Australian biodiversity startup program, which begins in August 2025 with state government backing; six startups it backed earlier are named.
Series D+
$100m
Fleet Space partners with quantum companies for mineral exploration
Fleet Space is partnering with three quantum sensor makers, mDetect, Nomad Atomics and DeteQt, to build next-generation exploration tools; the piece also recalls its HiSeis buyout and Series D round.
2 deals
Arena gives $20m for key project designed to show Pilbara iron ore can be used for low carbon steel
ARENA commits $19.8 million to NeoSmelt, a low-carbon steelmaking venture backed by BHP, Rio Tinto, BlueScope, Woodside and Mitsui; the pilot project near Perth earlier secured $75 million from Western Australia.
Grant
$19.8m
Grant
$4.4m
Miner South32 lands government funds for electrification and emission cuts in alumina refining
ARENA is funding South32 to study electrifying steam production at its Western Australia alumina refinery, having previously backed similar decarbonisation trials by Alcoa and Rio Tinto.
Grant
$4.4m
South32 to explore emission reductions options in alumina refining.
Government agency ARENA is granting $4.4 million for a pre-feasibility study into steam electrification at South32's Western Australian alumina refinery, with earlier backing of Alcoa and Rio Tinto also recalled.
News
How old is that sheep? Edify floats another solar and battery project amid reports it is fishing for buyers
Edify Energy has referred its Brewongle solar farm and battery project for federal environmental assessment, its third such entry in two months, while reportedly preparing a possible sale with Lazard Australia seeking buyers.
9 deals
Seven ANZ startups that raised $42.8 million this week
Weekly roundup of seven Australian and New Zealand raises totalling $42.8 million, spanning property-investment AI, workforce credentialing, allied-health practice software, conversation analytics, maths learning games, copper processing and holiday-park bookings.
4 deals
Three Aussie startups that raised $46.5 million this week
Roundup of three Australian raises — ElectraLith, Coposit and Convergence Medical — plus Quantum Brilliance naming its Series A backers and Rokt's secondary share sale.
Funding announcement
ElectraLith BREAKTHROUGH VICTORIA INVESTS IN MONASH UNIVERSTY STARTUP REVOLUTIONISING LITHIUM EXTRACTION AND REFINING
Breakthrough Victoria puts $2 million into ElectraLith, a Victorian startup whose lithium extraction technology was developed at Monash University, as part of a Series A led by Main Sequence.
Series A
$27.5m
Our Investment in ElectraLith: Unlocking Lithium to Power the Energy Transition
Main Sequence's post on leading ElectraLith's $27.5m Series A with Chevron, IP Group and other co-investors, backing its technology that turns lithium-bearing brines into battery-ready hydroxide in one step.
Also Radium Capital·Radium Capital·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·SmartCompany·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy
Series A
$2m
Investment Update: ElectraLith
Breakthrough Victoria's update describes its $2 million commitment to ElectraLith's Series A, led by Main Sequence, covering the lithium extractor's water-free refining technology, Monash ties, pilot plant plans and growing team.
Also Startup Daily
4 deals
Fleet raises $150m in enormous investment round - Space Connect
Fleet Space Technologies has secured $150 million in a Series D round led by a Canadian pension fund, with existing backers Blackbird Ventures, Hostplus and Horizons Ventures also participating.
3 deals
Fleet Space lands $150 million, valuation rockets to $800 million
Satellite company Fleet Space has closed a Series D backed by Teachers' Venture Growth and prior backers, lifting its valuation past $800 million, with proceeds earmarked for its mineral-exploration platform.
Also Space Connect·spaceanddefense.io·aap.com.au·@AuManufacturing·Startup Daily·TechCrunch Venture·SmartCompany·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·Startup Daily·spaceexplored.com·Space Connect·Defence Connect·@AuManufacturing·@AuManufacturing·Forbes Australia·TechCrunch Venture
Unnamed stage
$1.6m
Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed
Roundup of manufacturing briefs: Rio Tinto's quarterly output, Respiri's fresh placement, Archer's CEO exit, Amaero's US revenue, a retired UNSW satellite, Little Green Pharma's record quarter, OKA's investor group and MicroTau job ads.
Unnamed stage
$7.5m
Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed
AuManufacturing roundup of brief industry news: Wide Open Agriculture banks a $7.5 million raise, Liontown adds a lithium offtake partner, Osteopore signs Zimmer Biomet for distribution, plus quantum, defence, rail and recycling items.
Unnamed stage
$20m
Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed
News roundup: Cyclopharm's $20m placement, Eden Innovations' first Holcim orders, Rio Tinto and BHP electric haul truck trials, a hybrid boat's marine award, and a national rail procurement database launch.
News
Western Australia is getting a government-back nature and biodiversity accelerator thanks to Founders Factory
Founders Factory is launching its first Australian accelerator in Perth, a nature and biodiversity program backed by a $7.2 million WA government grant, with Rio Tinto funding a separate decarbonisation stream.
35 deals
Brisbane’s Canaria Technologies shoots for the moon with NASA-approved AI for astronauts
Profile of a Brisbane predictive-biometrics wearable maker courting NASA's Artemis III mission, alongside news that it and 34 other Queensland exporters received Go Global Export Program grants.
2 deals
Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed
Roundup of Australian manufacturing news: Iluka's refinery cost estimate, a biotech placement with a founder sell-down, a CEO appointment, a retirement, an R&D refund, a distribution deal, a CRC merger and Victorian grants.
Series A
$5.5m
Dataweavers Secures $5.5 Million Series A Funding to Propel Operations Platform Across the Pacific
Dataweavers announced a $5.5 million Series A led by Five V Capital with QIC and existing backer OIF, funding US expansion, a near-doubling of headcount and more than 20 new Brisbane jobs.
10 deals
Five Aussie startups that raised $58.5 million this week
Weekly roundup covering five Australian startups that announced a combined $58.5 million in new funding, spanning quantum computing, advertising software, mining safety technology and event rental software, alongside government grant programs.
Unnamed stage
~$4.8m
Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed
Roundup covering Hanwha defence testing, a PPK Group CEO promotion, Immuron's sales growth, an Australian Vanadium retirement, Lumos Diagnostics' $4.75 million placement, and TAFE Queensland scholarships.
8 deals
Five startups that raised $109.8 million this week
Weekly roundup of five startup raises: Fleet Space's Series C, Checkmate's Series A, Adventus's new round, Endua's hydrogen funding and Servicely's raise, with investors named.
Also Forbes Australia
2 deals
Fleet Space Technologies raises another $50m - Bondi Partners
Bondi Partners reposts The Australian's coverage of Fleet Space Technologies' $50m Series C round, which Blackbird Ventures led and Bondi joined, valuing the Adelaide-based nanosatellite maker above $350m.
Also Blackbird Ventures portfolio·Startup Daily·@AuManufacturing·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·SmartCompany·SmartCompany·Techboard·Startup Daily·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·@AuManufacturing·@AuManufacturing·@AuManufacturing·@AuManufacturing·Forbes Australia·satcom.digital·Space Connect·Space Connect·TechCrunch Venture·TechCrunch Venture
Grant
$4m
Lunar rover arose with $4M
WA space consortium AROSE has received a $4 million Australian Government grant under the Space Agency's Trailblazer program to design a lunar rover for NASA, leading a sixteen-organisation group including Fugro and Nova Systems.
Also SmartCompany·@AuManufacturing·@AuManufacturing·Defence Connect·@AuManufacturing