Simon Thomsen

Sydney

Contributor at Kochie's Business Builders

Editor, https://t.co/7e1VY3WF5y, @StartupDailyanz. Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita. “Having fun is half the fun": Guru Adrian. Gadigal land

Articles

SLIP, SLOP, SLAPDASH: Choice tested 20 SPF 50 sunscreens - and 80% failed - Startup Daily

2 weeks ago | startupdaily.net | Simon Thomsen

The shocking results including prominent and trusted brands, including sunscreens from the Cancer Council, Coles, Woolworths and Aldi.
Getswift cofounder Joel Macdonald is back offering advice on dealing with setbacks

3 weeks ago | startupdaily.net | Simon Thomsen

Joel Macdonald’s been busy resetting his thinking in the last few years after the cofounder of Getswift was banned by the Federal Court from running companies in Australia for 12 years.
StrongRoom will be wound up as EVP names the startup's early investors as defendants in expanded legal action to recover $10.4 million

3 weeks ago | startupdaily.net | Simon Thomsen

EVP has added 20 more defendants, including earlier VC investors – taking the total to 32 – in its legal action to recover $10.4 million invested in StrongRoom AI. EVP has a freezing order over the company’s assets and during a case management hearing on Wednesday added the company’s other early investors, including Artesian Ventures, Boab AI (an Artesian subsidiary), InterValley, Cape and Kalytix ventures, as well as relatives of cofounder Max Mito and several other individuals.
Quantum pioneer Michelle Simmons joins Tech Council board

3 weeks ago | startupdaily.net | Simon Thomsen

Quantum physicist and deeptech startup founder Professor Michelle Simmons has joined the board of The Tech Council of Australia (TCA). Her appointment dramatically improves the representation of women in the industry lobby group, which last year came under fire last year for failing to act when former board member Richard White faced inappropriate conduct allegations. He subsequently resigned.
Amber charges up on $45 million raise

3 weeks ago | startupdaily.net | Simon Thomsen

Renewable energy retailer Amber has raised another $45 million in venture capital as it ramps up global ambitions for its battery and EV automation technology. The round was led by UK/Europe-based impact investor ETF (Environmental Technologies Fund) Partners and supported by existing backers including Square Peg, Gentrack, Rubio Impact Ventures, and Breakthrough Victoria. Amber previously raised $29 million in a Series C in early 2024, as well as a $33.4 million Series B that spanned 2021-22.
New Zealand's first founder salary survey shows it takes about about 2.5 years to get paid and Auckland's the place to make the big bucks

3 weeks ago | startupdaily.net | Simon Thomsen

Kiwi startup founders take around 29 months on average to score their first pay cheque, but when they get there, they’re doing of okay, with 50% of them on more than NZ$195,000 (A$182k) according to the New Zealand Founder Pay Report 2025. The first deep dive into startup life in Aotearoa, by LiveRem and Oxygen Advisors, analysed anonymised payroll data from founders at Kiwi startups and scaleups with annual revenue spanning less than NZ$1m to more than $10m in annual revenue.
EVP backs small business energy savings startup Termina in $3m pre-Series A

3 weeks ago | startupdaily.net | Simon Thomsen

Termina, a software startup that helps small business get cheaper energy prices through collective buying, has raised $3 million in a pre-Series A. The round was led by Sydney VC EVP, via its Fund IV, with support from existing investors Archangel Ventures and Skalata.
Upcover and Lawpath team up to streamline small business legals and insurance

3 weeks ago | startupdaily.net | Simon Thomsen

Online commercial insurance platform Upcover has partnered with legal tech startup Lawpath to make it easier for small businesses and startups to access legal and insurance services.
NRF backs glaucoma biotech PolyActiva's $40 million Series C

4 weeks ago | startupdaily.net | Simon Thomsen

The federal Labor government’s flagship National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) is back investing post-election, hitting the send button on another $27 million to lead a $40 million Series C for PolyActiva. The 15-year-old Melbourne biotechnology scaleup is developing potentially revolutionary eye implant technology to treat glaucoma and improve treatment outcomes for patients with ocular (eye) conditions. Also backing the Series C were biotech VC Brandon Capital.
Product market research startup Heatseeker nails $2.3 pre-Seed in US push

4 weeks ago | startupdaily.net | Simon Thomsen

A nine-month wait to finalise their pre-Seed round has paid off for product market testing startup Heatseeker, nearly doubling its size to US$1.5 (A$2.3m). The raise was led by San Francisco-based Capital F, with support from Dom Pym’s family office, Euphemia, Even Capital and East End Ventures.