Blackbird Ventures Stories

Australian Stories

Blackbird Ventures stories

Monash Health trials Heidi AI translation in hospitals

Patients speaking other languages could get faster support as Monash Health tests AI translation across its hospitals and clinics.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Fri, 5th Jun 2026

Digital Transformation

OpenAI launches Australia-wide drive for AI skills & jobs

OpenAI unveils an Australia-wide AI push, pairing a Sydney supercomputer campus with skills training and new startup support schemes.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Tue, 3rd Feb 2026

Digital Transformation

OpenAI unveils nationwide AI push & skills drive for Australia

OpenAI launches its first Asia Pacific OpenAI for Countries plan in Australia, pairing sovereign AI infrastructure with major skills drives.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Thu, 11th Dec 2025

Artificial Intelligence

SouthStart 2026 returns to Adelaide, uniting startups & investors

SOUTHSTART 2026 returns to Adelaide, uniting founders, investors, and innovators across Australia's startup and technology sectors in March.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Fri, 14th Nov 2025

Robotics

Alloy raises AUD $4.5m to solve data challenges in robotics

Alloy secures AUD $4.5m pre-seed funding to tackle robotics data challenges, aiding engineers to analyse vast sensor data more efficiently.

By Kaleah Salmon • 4 min read • Wed, 1st Oct 2025

Fintech

Chris Ellis joins Collabra to drive AI automation for business

Chris Ellis, ex-Finder CEO, joins Sydney AI firm Collabra as CEO to lead its shift from product development to scalable automation for mid-market firms.

By Melvin Hipolito • 4 min read • Wed, 3rd Sep 2025

Australian Government

Beaten Zone fund wins approval, targets AUD $451m defence tech

Beaten Zone Venture Capital Fund 1 has gained Early Stage Venture Capital registration, targeting AUD $451m in defence tech investments with tax benefits for partners.

By Melvin Hipolito • 3 min read • Thu, 17th Jul 2025

Global Stories

Blackbird Ventures stories

Software-as-a-Service

Sterling raises NZD $3.8 million to automate finance

The new capital will help the startup hire and target larger finance teams across New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • This month

Software-as-a-Service

Alloy Robotics raises USD $8 million in seed round

The funding values the Sydney-founded firm at USD $80 million as robotics teams seek faster ways to diagnose fleet failures.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • This month

Software-as-a-Service

Partly raises USD $50 million to expand Australia hiring

Australia's repair sector could see faster parts sourcing as Partly uses fresh funding to add engineers and AI specialists locally.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month

Software-as-a-Service

Heidi buys AutoMedica, launches new clinical AI tools

Heidi buys UK clinical AI startup AutoMedica and debuts ad-free evidence and patient comms tools to bolster its healthcare platform.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Tue, 24th Feb 2026

Digital Transformation

Ivo raises USD $55 million to grow AI contract tools

AI contract software startup Ivo secures USD $55 million Series B to speed contract review, as revenue surges 500% and UK expansion looms.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Wed, 21st Jan 2026

Software-as-a-Service

Elyos AI raises USD $13m to scale trade service agents

Elyos AI raises USD $13m to grow its AI agents that answer calls, book jobs and automate admin for trades and field service firms.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Mon, 19th Jan 2026

Human Capital Management

Rippling's rapid growth driven by tailored HR tech for Australia

Rippling's HR tech boom in Australia, with 80+ staff, tailored tools, and USD $450m raised, supports local firms growing globally amid rising compliance needs.

By Melvin Hipolito • 4 min read • Tue, 29th Jul 2025

EduTech

Iceberg Quantum secures $2m & partners with PsiQuantum

Iceberg Quantum has raised USD $2 million in pre-seed funding and partnered with PsiQuantum to advance fault-tolerant quantum computing architectures.

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Fri, 28th Mar 2025

Digital Transformation

Australian AI firm Springboards secures $5m funding

Australian AI firm Springboards has secured $5 million in seed funding, aiming to revolutionise creativity in advertising through innovative technology.

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Thu, 27th Feb 2025

Unified Communications

Springboards launches AI tool for creative advertising

Springboards has launched its AI platform to support creative professionals in advertising, securing $5 million from Blackbird Ventures and backing from over 120 agencies.

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Fri, 14th Feb 2025