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 • Last week

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

Software

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

Health Technologies

Robyn Denholm joins Harrison.ai as Board Director

Robyn Denholm joins Harrison.ai as Board Director, bringing global technology leadership and strategic advisory expertise to drive growth.

By Imee Dequito • 2 min read • Thu, 20th Jul 2023

IBM

Tech investor Alan Jones joins Third Hemisphere as Tech & Investments Director

Alan Jones, renowned tech investor and founder of M8 Ventures, joins Third Hemisphere as Tech and Investments Director to advise a growing list of clients.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Fri, 3rd Mar 2023

Global Stories

Blackbird Ventures stories

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