Daniel Van Boom

Sydney

Technology Correspondent at Capital Brief

📍 Technology Correspondent, Capital Brief 📨 [email protected]

Articles

ðŸ’Š StrongRoom AI's suitor

1 day ago | capitalbrief.com | Daniel Van Boom

A new character has emerged in the StrongRoom AI story: Jay Zhou, founder of Aceso Group. But how big a role will he play? As first reported by Capital Brief last night, a company created by Zhou on 14 April called SRSPV yesterday became the secured holder of Strongroom AI debt previously owed to Paddington Street Finance. Get Sweat Equity in your inboxSigned up to Sweat EquityA weekly newsletter that tracks the pulse of startups, VC and tech.
Optus turns to Google and Anthropic to power its AI strategy

2 days ago | capitalbrief.com | Daniel Van Boom

The telco says AI tools developed under its new strategy are lifting productivity and sales as it works to rebuild trust after a string of reputational hits. Optus has partnered with Google and Anthropic to develop a suite of artificial intelligence tools that now underpin its broader AI strategy — one the telco says is both boosting revenue and cutting costs.
StrongRoom AI debt transfer points to imminent sale

2 days ago | capitalbrief.com | Daniel Van Boom

Debt previously owed to a lender of StrongRoom AI has been transferred to a newly-registered company, regulatory filings show, indicating the sales process for the collapsed medtech startup may be nearing a conclusion. An organisation named SRSPV, which was registered with ASIC on April 14, on Tuesday became the holder of StrongRoom AI debt previously owned to Paddington Street Finance. SRSPV was registered by Joe Zhou, ASIC filings show.
StrongRoom AI CEO 'hotly contests' investor claim he admitted to fraud

1 week ago | capitalbrief.com | Bronwen Clune |Daniel Van Boom

Max Mito's lawyer "hotly contests" claims the StrongRoom AI co-founder admitted to fraud, as the Federal Court grants him $80,000 for his legal defence. The co-founder and chief executive of fallen medtech startup StrongRoom AI has strongly disputed claims he admitted to fraud during a board meeting less than a fortnight before the company collapsed into administration.
ðŸ™Œ Quantum's tariff advantage

1 week ago | capitalbrief.com | Daniel Van Boom

Donald Trump's ever-evolving tariffs have triggered concerns within Australian deep tech, but Diraq founder Andrew Dzurak is confident the chaos won't last. The quantum startup plans to release its first product in 2029, by which time he expects the protectionist typhoon will have long subsided.
Funding reprieve for StrongRoom AI as administrators eye sale

1 week ago | capitalbrief.com | Bronwen Clune |Daniel Van Boom

Administrators for the troubled have secured an agreement allowing it to pay wages and maintain operations while they proceed with an urgent sale process. Voluntary administrators of StrongRoom AI have secured a crucial funding agreement with venture capital fund EVP allowing it to maintain operations while conducting an urgent sale of the business, administrators announced today.
Australian VCs tread carefully amid Trump’s tariff turbulence

2 weeks ago | capitalbrief.com | Daniel Van Boom |Bronwen Clune

Airtree, Main Sequence and other Australian VCs are encouraging their portfolios to focus on runway and profitability as they anticipate a bumpy ride ahead. The ripple effects of Donald Trump’s turbulent trade policies are being felt by Australia’s venture capitalists, who are likening the uncertainty to the chaos of COVID.
AI won’t make engineers obsolete, Atlassian argues as it simplifies strategy

2 weeks ago | capitalbrief.com | Daniel Van Boom

The Australian tech giant is making its Rovo AI assistant, previously $24 per head, free to all Jira and Confluence customers. While unveiling a simplified artificial intelligence strategy, Atlassian’s head of AI has rejected concerns the technology could make the company’s products redundant.
Blackbird founders, Airtree back VC fund exclusively for students

2 weeks ago | capitalbrief.com | Daniel Van Boom

NextGen Ventures' $2.5 million fund is modelled on America's Dorm Room Ventures, which has backed student-run startups that went on to raise US$6 billion. The founders of Blackbird and Airtree — Australia’s two largest venture capital firms — are among those backing a $2.5 million fund exclusively for students, aimed at accelerating a new wave of startups.
'Over 10' bids lobbed for StrongRoom AI as administrator slashes staff

2 weeks ago | capitalbrief.com | Daniel Van Boom

If all goes to plan, StrongRoom AI could be sold next week, administrator Todd Gammel told Capital Brief, as bids roll in and cuts are made. More than 10 bids have been made for StrongRoom AI, according to the administrator overseeing the sale of the startup, with hopes that a deal could be finalised as soon as next week. Administrator Todd Gammel of HLB Mann Judd spoke to Capital Brief following the first creditors’ meeting since StrongRoom AI entered administration in March.