Hyped: ANZ Startups - 19th October 2025
Dickie Currer
Victorian Startup Ecosystem Hero of the Year 2025 🏆 I connect Global Startup Ecosystems through Storytelling, Community building and cross border initiatives 🌏 Founder | Investor | Emcee | Mentor
Your weekly dose of everything you need to know about ANZ Tech & Innovation.
A huge welcome to the new subscribers joining our community this week!
We’re on a mission to make this the number 1 community led resource for those working in or curious about the ANZ Startup ecosystem. If you know someone who’d benefit from reading this then please share it with them.
Well, that was an unforgettable week!
Once again the Aussie Innovation community showed why its people are unrivalled, with a huge turnout and the vibes on 100 at SXSW Sydney.
I got to join the festivities on Monday and Tuesday. And across 7 events, I think I spoke to some 400 over you!
Thanks to everyone that brought the energy and helped me to lose my voice for my flight to Beijing the next day.
As this newsletter drops, I’ll be somewhere in the skies, returning from another China adventure. This time as a guest of the Beijing Government, where I attended and delivered a keynote at the HiCool Entrepreneurship Summit.
Speaking of events you don’t want to miss, this week we're featuring the Startups that will be showcasing at Remarkable’s upcoming Disability Tech Summit. Read on to hear about them and how you can attend!
Until then travel safe,
Dickie Currer - Author & Founder of Hype Man Media
Top headlines from Australia
Everything you need to know about Australian Startups in the last week
Esper Satellites wins the SXSW Sydney Pitch Grand Final
The Melbourne based SpaceTech took home first place out of 23 Startups that pitched across two days at the third SXSW Sydney this week.
Esper is building and launching next-gen Earth observation sensors into orbit that can collect chemical data of the Earth from the top of if its atmosphere to the surface allowing for the measurement of greenhouse emissions, detection of undiscovered mineral ore and monitoring of natural and human-made assets.
They’ve now won the chance to pitch at SXSW Austin or London in 2026.
Shoutout to friend of the newsletter Phil Ore for his incredible coaching and mentorship of this group!
Lorikeet 8th on Startup AI spend list from Global VC Andreessen Horowitz
The Sydney start-up that sells artificial intelligence agents to some of the country’s biggest technology companies featured in the top 10 of a16z’s yearly AI Apps list.
Fresh off the back of a recent $14 million raise from some of the country’s biggest VC funds, with a $100 million valuation, this is another clear signal that Lorikeet is going places globally.
The only other ANZ based company in the list was Canva (17th). Read the full report here
$1 billion raised in Q3, biggest Q this year to date, according to Cut Through report
The industry leading report created by Cut Through Ventured details that Q3 delivered a touch over $1.0 billion across 116 announced rounds, comprising 85 venture rounds and 31 accelerator rounds.
ThisIt was the biggest quarter of 2025 by deal count, lifted by a surge in accelerator activity across the country. Though it’s important to note that the step up was about breadth rather than size, with volume rising with cheque sizes continuing to edge up, but only one $100 million-plus round was announced.
Read the full quarterly report here
6 Startups that caught our eye this week
Our weekly spotlight on some of the region’s most exciting emerging Startups. If you’re reading this and you can help them out then don’t hesitate!
This week we’re featuring the 6 Startups that are showcasing at Remarkable’s Tech Summit. Here’s the key details:
Read more about the event and grab your tickets here.
1. Hailo
Hailo is a smart mobility platform for public transport that overcomes the reasons people can't, or won't use public transport.
They’re on a mission to keep breaking barriers and crafting innovative tech that puts the user in charge, bringing the convenience of Uber to public transport, enabling people of all abilities to get where they're going.
Inspired by the experience of Co-founder, Santi, a blind innovator who transformed his transit challenges into solutions. Facing a system that often failed to accommodate his needs. Santiago co-founded Hailo to bridge the accessibility gap in public transportation.
Read more about their incredible platform here.
2. Marco Polo Portal
Marco Polo is on a mission to empower NDIS participants with unparalleled choice and control over their living situations. Their platform confronts the challenges of the disability housing market, offering a beacon of hope and progress.
They aim to transform disability housing by enabling participants to "Choose Connections, Select Supports," helping providers "Boost Business, Vanquish Vacancies," and making navigators' work of "Connecting Care, Simplifying Share" easier.
Marco Polo offers:
Read more about how they are revolutionizing Disability Housing here.
3. Rampey
Rampey is an autonomous mobile robot that seamlessly aligns and docks with doors on trains, buses, and trams.
People who live with disabilities can often live independently when supported by technology. When returning to Australia, Rampey’s Co-Founder Jay Davey decided to aim his years of experience in start-ups, and robotics, to solve a persistent challenge with the built environment and public transport.
When LaunchVic partnered with the Department of Transport and Planning to launch the Public Transport Access Challenge, the idea for Rampey was born. Rampey went on to win best pitch and received additional seed funding from LaunchVic.
Follow Rampey’s journey more here.
4. By Storm Beauty
By Storm Beauty is making snap-on grips for makeup you can actually hold. Adaptive beauty tools that attach to your favourite makeup products for comfort, stability & confidence.
ByStorm beauty tools were made to set you free. Because no one should feel powerless when getting ready to feel powerful.
Every twist you can’t open, every swipe you can’t control - they know the feeling of that reminder the world wasn’t designed for you. They’re here to change that.
Check out By Storm Beauty’s amazing work here
ByStorm is more than beauty, it’s your control, confidence, and independence back.
5. Umps
Umps works with allied health professionals, home care providers and retirement village operators to deliver purpose-built, human-centred personal alarms and monitoring solutions.
Co-designed with Occupational Therapists and older adults, our technology prioritises dignity, simplicity and reliable support—setting a new standard in personal alarms.
Best of all? Their technology is fully reimbursable under the Home Care Package Program, geat2GO and the NDIS.
Read more about Umps today.
6. Possibility Neurotechnologies
Possibility Neurotechnologies are dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to fully participate in life on their own terms.
Their mission is grounded in the fundamental human rights outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)—that everyone has the right to express themselves, connect with others, and participate fully in life.
Guided by these standards they developed Think2Switch™, a brain-controlled technology that transforms thoughts into actions, empowering users with communication and movement challenges to connect, create, and thrive in ways that were once unimaginable.
Join their revolution and read more here
Events to watch out for
The biggest and best events across our ecosystem, bringing our incredible community together.
Hype Man Media Events
31st October - Melbourne - Taking your Startup to the UK/Europe - The third part of our breakfast series with Vanta. This time we’ll be exploring the UK and Europe, with a raft of speakers telling you how to scale your Startup in those markets.
Ecosystem Events
20 October - Auckland - Impactful Innovation ‘25 - Deep tech leaders share insights at Pipiri Lane ahead of Auckland Startup Wee
22 October - Adelaide - Tank Stream Suites Adelaide Launch Party - the launch of the brand new Tank Stream Suites Adelaide office.
23 October - Melbourne - Startmate Demo Day - W25 - Join Demo Day to meet the W25 founders, connect with ANZ's most vibrant startup community, and walk away buzzing with ideas (and maybe your next investment).
23 October - Melbourne - Invest in Alabama - a special briefing breakfast by Christina Stimpson, Chief Officer of Global Business at the Alabama Department of Commerce.
29 October - Melbourne - Master of Entrepreneurship Showcase pitch night - Showcase Pitch Night is an evening to celebrate the achievements and talent of the University of Melbourne’s Master of Entrepreneurship students.
29 October - Newcastle - I2N Accelerator Demo Night - After an intensive 13-week journey, each team has risen to the challenge and is ready to share what they have learned and where to next.
30 October - Melbourne - BrainTech - This one-day summit is your chance to meet and hear from Australia’s leading brain researchers, innovators, and change‑makers to share breakthroughs, cross-pollinate ideas and spark new collaborations.
11 November - Sydney - Remarkable Disability Tech Summit 2025 - Join 250+ changemakers as we move Disability Tech from the margins to the mainstream. From keynotes and panels to immersive workshops and tech demos - this is where accessibility drives inclusive innovation.
13 November - Melbourne - The Great Victorian Startup Debate - Aussie Founders Club and Cremorne Digital Hub are teaming up to host an open, energising conversation.
27 November - Melbourne - Sanders Place: End of Year Party - Join the Sanders community for an evening that’s all about connection, celebration, and good vibes.
8-12 December - Perth - West Tech Fest - Australia’s longest running tech and innovation festival providing opportunities for the local startup and tech community to connect with and hear from global leaders as they share insights into how to grow a successful business.
Opportunities
Programs, competitions and Accelerators to help you thrive and grow
EOIs now open for the AIIC Ignition program
DotInfinity is collaborating with Jumpstart Studio to deliver this first-of-its-kind initiative connecting Australian startups and student founders with India’s rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem.
With 10 scholarships available for the pilot cohort under the Australia–India Innovation Corridor.
The 3-month program offers:
EOI’s close 31 October, apply now
Join the Spark Accelerator program
Run by Lightningning Ventures the Accelerator is aimed at empowering non-technical founders with the education and tools needed to build and scale their software businesses. Utilizing no-code tools like Bubble.io, the program helps founders become self-sufficient without needing to spend exorbitant amounts on agencies or give away significant equity.
Giving you world class NoCode & AI training from one of only 12 globally recognized Bubble.io coaches.
Submit your EOI here to find out more
Liked this edition, then:
Until next week,
Dickie
Experienced leader in innovation, partnerships, and sustainable development. Skilled in strategy, stakeholder engagement, and driving real-world impact. Open to new opportunities.
1wIn catch up mode now after SXSW! Yes great to see Esper Satellite Imagery take out the pitch prize, great to see you even if you were dancing by yourself in the Abacrombie following the Bruce Spingstein band.🕺🕺
Thanks Dickie Currer for sharing!