Hyped: ANZ Startups - 14 September 2025

Your weekly dose of everything you need to know about ANZ Tech & Innovation.

Greetings from Mumbai, or Bombay as the locals call it!

I’m told thats because Mumbai is a name but Bombay is a feeling and the feeling in the city currently has an Australian flavour to it.

With the India Australia Business & Community Alliance (IABCA)  and the Australia India Youth Dialogue (AIYD), which I’ll be joining for the next 5 days, both in town.

That means that there’s plenty of friendly faces and readers of this newsletter currently with me in the city of dreams!

Meanwhile there’s plenty happening on home shores, including a new Hype Man Media event locked in for October. Read on below for how to join us…

And your usual raft of stories, events, Startups and Opportunities from across the ANZ Startup Ecosystem.

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

Federal and QLD government backed PsiQuantum now worth over $10billion 

The California startup, founded in 2015 by expat Australian professors Jeremy O’Brien, Terry Rudolph, Mark Thompson and Dr Pete Shadbolt, hopes to build the “world’s first useful quantum computer” by using photons as a representation of qubits instead of electrons.

Last week they closed a monster Series E raise of $1.5billion which bumped up their most recent valuation to $10.5 billion.

PsiQuantum landed $940 million (US$620m) in loans and equity from the federal and Queensland governments in April 2024 to build its first quantum computer in Brisbane, adjacent to the capital’s airport, by 2027.

We’re hosting a “Tools to take your Startup Global” event with Deel

We’re teaming up with the all-in-one Global people platform for a networking breakfast in Melbourne, targeted at supporting Australian Startups to go global by providing them with the right tools, guidance and advice.

Taking place on the morning of the 8th of October at our Tank Stream Labs residence, the event will bring together the Melbourne ecosystem for a morning of connection and collaboration.

Register for free here to join us.

Techstars third Australian cohort has launched with diversity at its heart

The Global Accelerator is back for its third year in Sydney, with another contingent of 12 Startups that will receive funding and acceleration support over the 3 month long program.

As in previous years, the Accelerator, which takes place in 14 countries, is leading the way with backing diverse teams. Of the 12 teams a third include women, and 5 are culturally and linguistically diverse.

New Techstars Sydney Managing Director, Christie Jenkins explained: “We’re not at parity yet, but we’re happy those efforts ended up reflected in our pipeline too. In our 150 first round interviews, 36% of founding teams included women and 61% were racially or culturally diverse.”

Read on below to hear about 6 of the Startups that make up the Techstars Sydney 2025 cohort.

Top headlines from New Zealand

Kia ora from Aotearoa! Here’s what’s happening across the startup ecosystem, thanks to our NZ correspondent Pauli Sosa:

• Startup Weekend Ōtaki is happening this weekend. don’t miss the chance to validate your ideas, test assumptions, and bring your startup vision to life.

• Investor Masterclass Series. Icehouse Ventures has wrapped its 6-part programme on startup investing in Aotearoa, with all recordings now available for wholesale investors keen to learn from 20 years of venture experience.

• FOUNDR PR Free Sessions. Every Tuesday at midday, FOUNDR PR is running small-group workshops to help high-growth founders learn how to accelerate traction with smart PR strategies.

• Marloo Raises $4.6M. Founded by ex-Sharesies managers, Marloo has raised NZ$4.6M to scale its AI assistant for financial advisers. The platform cuts compliance time and frees advisers to focus on clients across NZ, Australia, and the UK.

• Solve It Innovation Programme. More than 100 University of Auckland students tackled real-world challenges at Solve It 2025, with Team Fireant taking top prize for their flood-preparedness solution. The programme showcased bold ideas and the next generation of Kiwi innovators.

Want more updates like these? Check out Startup Digest New Zealand to stay in the loop with events, opportunities, and ecosystem news.

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 six Startups that make up Techstars Sydney Accelerator 2025 cohort, stay tuned for the second six in next week’s edition:

1. Briefcase

Founded by Kirk Simmons

Courts and tribunals face high caseloads and/or outdated systems.

Briefcase offers end-to-end case management software that enables a digital casefile, automated workflows, and safe AI, helping decision-makers work faster and more consistently.

2.CorFin.AI

Founded by David Stephen Sta.Maria and Silven Victor D. Epistola

CorFin.AI is redefining how finance operates in managing invoices, spend, and payments.

Their platform prevents errors before they happen, accelerates decisions, optimizes outcomes, and gives finance teams absolute clarity and confidence in every transaction.

Their vision is to make finance operations autonomous, adaptive, and strategically intelligent, empowering modern finance teams to move faster, close cleaner, and operate with intelligence built in.

3. Crystal aOS 

Founded by Joni Pirovich

The Crystal aOS (agentic operating system) is purpose built for people and businesses in crypto worldwide. Crystal is the master agent with a global brain of crypto specific laws, guidance, cases curated and maintained by us daily. 

Crystal Chat is available now for research, drafting and review. Workflows mode will follow to automate personal, business and compliance processes with the help of Crystal and her special purpose agents and templates. You can also connect with human Crypto Pro’s all around the world when you’ve exhausted the help Crystal Chat can provide.

Crystal Business is for large multinational crypto businesses looking to leverage compliance effort for growth and expansion into more jurisdictions. Smaller crypto businesses and funds will love Crystal Business too.

Crystal Assistant is a guardian angel of sorts, that sits in your devices to keep you safe, compliant and getting ahead in crypto.

4. Juxtabyte

Founded by Hugh Le

Juxtabyte is an organisational Data Marketplace that enables consumers to easily discover the data they need, with robust Data Governance features to empower Data Producers to compliantly manage their data.

Juxtabyte can be configured to integrate with your organisation’s frameworks and taxonomies and is competitively priced to help you deliver on your compliance and strategic outcomes while saving cost and effort.

5. MuseAI

Founded by Jad al Masri

MuseAI is your AI-powered second brain for music. Built for the modern music creator, it helps you record ideas, stay organized, and unlock forgotten gems — all in one elegant, lightning-fast workspace.

Record melodies, hums, or lyrics on the fly — or type your lyrics directly. MuseAI makes it effortless to get your ideas down while they’re still fresh. Your ideas are auto-tagged by mood, key, tempo, and more. MuseAI groups similar recordings, suggests folders, and links parts of a song together — so your creative memory stays clean and connected.

Get AI-powered suggestions like “This riff pairs well with your last verse” or “Explore these forgotten ideas.” MuseAI helps you find patterns, fill gaps, and finish what you start.

6. OncoRevive

Founded by Samira Sadeghi and Mohammad Tavakkoli Yaraki

OncoRevive, specializes in early cancer detection through their advanced liquid biopsy technology, utilizing cutting-edge nanotechnology to revolutionize healthcare outcomes.

Every single minute, 87 cancer cases are diagnosed. This critical issue demands action and innovation. OncoRevive rose to meet this need, championing early detection of cancer through a simple but innovative blood test to shift the odds in our favor.

OncoRevive's mission is not only early detection of cancer but also monitoring treatment efficacy and recurrence, offering a transformative solution in the battle against cancer. They are leveraging state-of-the-art nanotechnology that is significantly faster, more precise, and comprehensive compared with the existing methods, reducing costs by 40%. OncoRevive’s novel multiomics approach enables us to target wide ranges of key cancer biomarkers in the blood.

Events to watch out for

The biggest and best events across our ecosystem, bringing our incredible community together.

Hype Man Media Events 

8th October - Melbourne - Tools to take your Startup Global - We’re partnering with the legends at all-in-one Global people platform Deel for a networking breakfast with tips and tricks on the tools you need to go global. Hosted at TankStream Labs Melbourne.

Ecosystem Events

15-17 September - Sydney - National Tech Summit - The National Tech Summit convenes leaders across government, industry and investment to drive collective action and national ambition.

16 September - Melbourne - Global Pitch Night with Fintech Australia - Hear pitches from some of the most promising emerging startups both locally and from our International Delegates followed by networking drinks.

16 September - Online – How to Build a Startup That’s Ready to Sell - Fiona Laryn on growth, financials, teams, and exit strategies.

17 September - Melbourne - Australia’s Place in The Global AI Race - Join ResetData co-founder Bass Salah in conversation with Alan Tsen, GM of Cremorne Digital Hub, for a fireside chat on the road ahead for Australia's AI industry.

18 September - Melbourne - AFC presents All In on VC? Ambition, Alignment, and What Comes Next - This panel brings together experienced investors and ecosystem leaders for a candid conversation about what venture capital looks like from the inside.

18 September – Auckland – Aotearoa AI Summit @ Shed 10 - NZ’s leading AI event bringing together innovators, builders, and visionaries.

19 September - Melbourne - Hexpo 2025 - HEXPO is a buffet of bold ideas - designed for our chefs of change: educators, founders, small biz owners, creatives, and culinary dreamers

20 September - Auckland - Girls in Business 2025 Conference & Awards - Celebrating the next generation of female entrepreneurs

3-5 October - Melbourne - Retail Show Australia 2025 - A conference focussed on reshaping the Future of Retail through Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability.

5-6 October - Perth Robopalooza - supporting the advancement of automation, robotics, remote operations and zero emissions technologies globally.

9 October - Gold Coast - Next Gen Demo Night - An inspiring evening as 10 outstanding research & student startups take the stage to pitch their innovative ideas.

15 October - Online - EnergyLab Scaleup Showcase - a 60min virtual event as we celebrate & showcase the 2025 EnergyLab Scaleup program cohort!

13-19 October - Sydney - SXSW Sydney - 550+ sessions including keynotes, panels, workshops, and conversations to help you uncover emerging trends, challenge your thinking, and gain practical insights.

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

Going Global Export Program

The Going Global Export Program helps small to medium businesses from NSW to break into international markets. Whether you’re new to exporting or entering a new region, this free program gives you practical support to grow your global reach.

Over 2 to 4 months businesses will participate in:

• expert-led workshops
• market intelligence briefings
• cultural and pitch training
• introductions to potential partners and buyers
• in-market visits with support from dedicated trade representatives.

Current programs are available in Life Sciences and Healthcare, Agrifood and Digital Technology.  Read more and register your interest here

Cicada Health Tech Hub Foundations

The Foundations Program is the starting point in the Cicada HealthTech Hub commercialisation pathway. It’s designed for researchers, clinical and allied health professionals who are curious about health innovation or working on something innovative and want to understand the basics before diving deeper.

Across a series of guided sessions led by commercialisation expert Andy Lamb, you’ll gain the confidence, language, and early frameworks to explore opportunities. You’ll learn how to move ideas in health from concept to impact, understanding the steps involved in generating a robust commercialisation plan - from spotting gaps and shaping value propositions suitable for your stakeholders - and maximise your success in bringing innovations into practice.

No business experience is needed, just curiosity and an openness to explore.

The program starts October 14, read more and apply here

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Until next week,

Dickie