Managing Partner, Giant Leap
Stories naming Will Richardson. Where several outlets covered the same round, they are bundled under whichever ran the fullest account.
Drone delivery company Swoop Aero has entered voluntary administration after its cofounder blamed investor pressure; administrators now seek a buyer or recapitalisation. The piece recalls its 2021 Series B and 2018 Startmate stint.
Also Startup Daily
Five tech and venture figures look back on 2023 and ahead to 2024, mentioning Giant Leap's fund close, Everlab's pre-seed raise, AI regulation, cybersecurity, and defence export controls.
Animal-free cheese maker Change Foods has closed an oversubscribed seed round totalling $21.5 million, led by Route 66 Ventures with Giant Leap and angels, alongside collaboration deals with Upfield and Sigma.
Impact investor Giant Leap is raising a second fund, targeting $50 million, with $35 million already committed including backing from NRMA Insurance, as institutional interest emerges for the first time.
Weekly roundup: Seer and Open raise Series A and B rounds, Refundid, Komodo and Earth AI secure funding, Giant Leap closes $15 million for its second fund, Task is acquired for $120 million, and Birchal celebrates its 100th campaign.
Impact VC firm Giant Leap has pulled in over $15 million for its second fund, Giant Leap II, in under four weeks, with new backers including QBE Australia, Mark Joiner and Peter Haasz.
The Victorian state budget directs $186.2 million towards the startup ecosystem, covering a women founders angel fund, a fund of funds, venture debt, LaunchVic funding, loans, and digital skills and infrastructure programs.
An interview with Goterra founder Olympia Yarger and investor Will Richardson recalling her emotionally difficult seed raise, backed by Giant Leap Fund, and the investor relationship that helped close it.
Also Forbes Australia
Delivery startup Sendle has closed a $20 million Series B led by Federation, with three other backers, and separately Humanforce has raised $22.5 million from Accel-KKR for overseas expansion.