Australian-developed design software company secures $2.8 million, aims to take users with ideas from “concept to commerce”

Technology

Sydney-based startup Fabra has secured $2.8 million in pre-seed funding and launched the public beta of its design software, which it describes as an intuitive web-based platform to “easily design manufacturer-ready products online.” According to a statement from the company on Tuesday, its investors so far include January Capital, Side Stage Ventures, Concept Ventures and…

Nutromics raises $7.5 million as it weighs up potential factory locations

Manufacturing News

Wearable biosensor-based diagnostics company Nutromics has raised $7.5 million in an “acceleration round” led by an unnamed Australian life sciences investor. In a statement on Tuesday, Nutromics said the funds brought the total amount of investment in the company to $60 million, as it progresses commercialisation of its lab-on-a-patch platform, integrating “DNA-based biosensors with microneedles…

Government commits $150 million to medical innovation fund

Manufacturing News

The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation has committed $150 million to Brandon Capital to accelerate Australian medical innovation commercialisation, according to an announcement on Thursday. The investment will be allocated to Brandon Capital’s BioCatalyst 6 fund and will support early and late-stage Australian medical science companies developing therapeutics, medical devices and vaccines. NRFC chief executive David…

Small businesses are an innovation powerhouse. For many, it’s still too hard to raise the funds they need

Analysis and Commentary

By Colette Southam, Bond University The federal government wants to boost Australia’s productivity levels – as a matter of national priority. It’s impossible to have that conversation without also talking about innovation. We can be proud of (and perhaps a little surprised by) some of the Australian innovations that have changed the world – such…

Venture capital and the illusion of economic transformation: Balancing Australia’s innovation priorities

Analysis and Commentary

The venture capital sector must shift focus from headline valuations and funding rounds to long-term economic contributions, including profitability, job creation, export potential, and flow on investment, argues John H Howard. Here he looks at the growth of VC in Australia, its appeal to policymakers, journalists and others, and calls for a balanced appreciation of…