Startups are driving innovation across Australia and New Zealand, and the latest funding announcements showcase the diverse and ambitious tech ecosystem powering the region.
Here are the top funding highlights of the week:
Databricks Secures $10B Series J at $62B Valuation
Data and AI leader Databricks has announced a $10 billion Series J funding round, with $8.6 billion already secured. The investment, led by Thrive Capital, values the company at $62 billion. Co-leads include Andreessen Horowitz, DST Global, GIC, Insight Partners, and WCM Investment Management. Other key backers include Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, ICONIQ Growth, MGX, Sands Capital, and Wellington Management.
8seats Gains $2M to Revolutionize Business Messaging
Australian messaging platform 8seats has raised A$2 million in seed funding, backed by Black Nova, former Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci, and tech entrepreneurs Mike Priddis and Greg Miller. The funding will help scale the platform and accelerate its go-to-market strategy, targeting a public launch in 2025 after a successful early-access rollout.
Additional investors include TBWA’s Paul Bradbury, Prezzee’s Tony Karp, and Innovation Bay’s Ian Gardiner.
Jet Charge raises $72M for EV Charging Innovation
Melbourne-based EV charging company Jet Charge has secured $72 million in funding, led by Mirova through its Energy Transition Fund 6 (MET6). Returning investors include the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), RACV, and Kilara Capital.
The funds will support the development of proprietary charging technologies and expand its “Charging as a Service” subscription offering.
Fleet Space Achieves $800M Valuation with $150M Series D
South Australia’s Fleet Space Technologies has raised $150 million in a Series D funding round, pushing its valuation beyond $800 million. The round was led by Canada’s Teachers’ Venture Growth and included support from Blackbird Ventures, Hostplus, Horizons Ventures, Artesian Venture Partners, and Alumni Ventures.
The funding will bolster Fleet Space’s satellite mapping platform ExoSphere, used for critical mineral exploration in clean energy. Fleet previously raised $50 million in May 2023 and counts Grok Ventures, TelstraSuper, and Bondi Partners among its supporters.
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