This Month
- Exclusive
- Start-ups
Aussie tech’s climate crisis as start-ups face capital crunch
At least 100 Australian climate tech start-ups need to raise capital in the next nine months to avoid going bust, but say the bar for investment is sky-high.
- Yolanda Redrup
Revolut’s ambition adds to major banks’ headache
“If we do a good job, we can attract more customers from traditional banks,” says the global CFO of Revolut, which has more than 600,000 users in Australia.
- James Eyers
June
Look at Zoox and Waymo to see Australia’s AI potential
The local ecosystem for investment in artificial intelligence is in its infancy, but could thrive if given the right funding.
- Michael Bailey
1pc of your super for venture capital? Add it to the list
Everyone wants a piece of the $3.9 trillion super system and now we can add venture capital. The problem is, it is not the government’s money to redirect.
- Anthony Macdonald
What do Nobel, Dulux and Australia’s first high-rise have in common?
From making bricks for the 1956 Olympics to paint, explosives and mining technology company Orica’s long history mirrors the Australian economy.
- Patrick Durkin
- Exclusive
- Quantum Computing
Government’s $189.5m quantum computing VC investment revealed
Previously secret details behind the mammoth investment in US-based quantum computing firm PsiQuantum have been uncovered, including the government’s equity investment.
- Paul Smith
NAB kills its stablecoin, bankers decamp to form Ubiquity
The bank canned its digital Australian dollar, known as the AUDN, so Rob Waugh and Drew Bradford left to set up their own product, to be called Ubiquity.
- James Eyers
May
- Exclusive
- Robots
‘Inflection point in history’: Government unveils robotics plan
Science and Industry Minister Ed Husic has a plan for Australia to use and export more AI-infused robots to boost national productivity and industry.
- Paul Smith
‘Business spends bugger all’: what landmark R&D review aims to fix
Technology industry experts warn a new government review into the R&D system must not cut tax incentives, and must kick-start anaemic business investment.
- Paul Smith, Tess Bennett and Nick Bonyhady
R&D tax incentive to blow out by $2.6b
Tax breaks for companies and superannuation payments for veterans and public servants have overshot expectations, adding billions in costs to the budget.
- Joanna Mather
R&D boost needed for Future Made in Australia plan to fly
Australian firms that develop innovative technologies say they are disincentivised to build their products in Australia and are calling for R&D incentive changes.
- Tess Bennett
- Exclusive
- Quantum Computing
UK’s bet on PsiQuantum is one-fiftieth the size of Australia’s
Leading British quantum computing specialists have expressed surprise at the Albanese government’s decision to invest nearly $1 billion in backing the start-up.
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Exclusive
- Quantum Computing
PsiQuantum in talks for bipartisan support but Coalition not swayed
PsiQuantum is confident of winning over sceptical politicians by highlighting its backing from both major parties in the US, where it has defence contracts.
- Tess Bennett
- Opinion
- Quantum Computing
Answers emerge slowly to government’s $1b quantum questions
Questions are mounting over how PsiQuantum was backed when we have been told so often to marvel at local tech stars.
- Paul Smith
April
‘Country mile ahead’: How PsiQuantum won a $1b investment
Chief scientist Cathy Foley said US-based PsiQuantum showed it was a “country mile” ahead of other Aussie companies in trying to build a world-first quantum computer.
- Paul Smith, John Davidson and Tess Bennett
Rio turns to Mars exploration tech in search for next big discovery
Rio Tinto has not disclosed a major mineral discovery since finding a copper-gold deposit in WA in late 2017, but is hoping to turn that around using technology from NASA.
- Brad Thompson
This Aussie start-up could change fashion forever
Samsara Eco has patented technology that can break down fabric into new yarn, which can be recycled infinitely. Its CEO thinks it could upend the industry.
- Lauren Sams
March
‘It’s a lot cheaper than buying a Tesla’: low-carbon milk has arrived
Dairy producer links up with Tasmanian start-up to produce the world’s first low-emissions milk.
- Gus McCubbing
CSIRO backs its long-term VC bet despite nil returns
The CSIRO’s VC fund has not returned a dollar to public coffers despite receiving $175m from taxpayers over seven years, but insists it is on track.
- Nick Bonyhady
‘More than mining’: WA med-tech sector message to local investors
WA medical ventures no longer limited to interstate or overseas investors for viability, says OncoRes breast cancer tech innovator Katherine Giles.
- Tom Rabe
