The Tech Council of Australia

SQC among 6 startups sharing $12.3 million in quantum grants

Six Australian quantum startups, including Silicon Quantum Computing and QuantX Labs, have received federal grants totalling $12.3 million under the Critical Technologies Challenge Program for projects in energy, health, biosecurity and logistics.

🇦🇺 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.

Australia doesn’t need copyright change to win data centre billions, AI boss says

The head of neo-cloud firm Sharon AI argues no copyright change is needed to attract data centre investment; the piece recalls its Nasdaq listing raise and a large new financing.

Also AFR Technology·Forbes Australia·Dealroom

WiseTech Global founder Richard White steps down as chair

WiseTech founder Richard White is leaving the chairman role after intense coverage of his private life, remaining chief innovation officer, with board member Raelene Murphy taking over; the story revisits his Kyckr purchase.

NRF trebles its stake in Silicon Quantum Computing with another $40 million

The National Reconstruction Fund has put another $40m into Sydney quantum chip maker Silicon Quantum Computing, following its $20m investment three months earlier, part of a larger round still underway.

Minns Labor Government puts female founders in the fast lane with launch of Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program

The NSW Government has opened the first round of its $4 million Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program for female founders, appointing University of Newcastle and UNSW Founders to deliver training and mentoring for women-led startups.

NSW Govt backs new wave of female founders - Inside State Government

The NSW Government has opened the first round of its $4 million Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program for female founders, appointing University of Newcastle's I2N and UNSW Founders to deliver training and mentoring.

UNSW Founders to fund 18 startups with $200,000 each

UNSW Founders partnered with Luminary Partners to invest $200,000 each in 18 early-stage deeptech startups across its 2025 accelerator cohorts, extending prior backing arrangements.

Industry and science minister Ed Husic wants you to know something is going to happen, soon

Industry minister Ed Husic told a Tech Council summit the National Reconstruction Fund is close to its first investments after asking for a $300m drawdown; the piece recaps federal tech funding moves including PsiQuantum's.

Statement from the TCA Chair: Scott Farquhar steps down from Atlassian

TCA chair Robyn Denholm praises departing Atlassian co-CEO Scott Farquhar, crediting his role building the software firm and his service on the council's board as an inspiration to Australian founders.

Indifferent: AirTree & CBA-backed proptech handed to administrators after raise attempts fail

Property management startup Different has gone into administration with KPMG after failing to raise new capital, despite backing from AirTree and CBA's venture arm; the piece also recalls the failures of Milkrun and Brosa.

Also Startup Daily·Startup Daily·SmartCompany

Tesla Inc Director Robyn Denholm appointed to SafetyCulture board

Robyn Denholm has joined SafetyCulture's board as a director, adding to her Tesla chairmanship and Technology Council role, replacing long-serving director and Blackbird co-founder Rick Baker.

FUNDED July 2022 Anniversary Edition

Techboard's anniversary roundup catalogues a month of Australian startup funding: megadeals, three acquisitions, large debt deals, grants, accelerator intakes, and fund news including Archangel Ventures' committed capital.

Also Startup Daily·SmartCompany·SmartCompany·SmartCompany·Forbes Australia·Business News Australia

Ignition Lane's Weekly Wrap: The unicorn boom, valuations heading south, Meta faces legal squeeze

Ignition Lane's weekly roundup covers Linktree's unicorn raise, several Australian funding rounds, Tiger and Insight's new mega-funds, falling SaaS valuations, the ACCC's action against Meta, and new accelerator and product launches.

Zepto becomes the first non-bank to secure both NPP direct connection and CDR accreditation, clocks $3B in transactions per month

Zepto announces it is the first non-bank accredited as both an NPP Connected Institution and a CDR data recipient, reports $3 billion in monthly payment volumes, and joins the Tech Council of Australia.