Five companies raised $119 million this week, with Neara hitting unicorn status at $1.1 billion valuation in our weekly funding roundup.
Five startups across Australia and New Zealand secured $119 million in funding this week, spanning AI-powered tools, infrastructure technology, agricultural robotics, medical devices, and sustainable aviation fuel.
The raises ranged from $3 million in pre-seed capital to a $90 million Series D that pushed one company to unicorn status. Investment came from a mix of venture capital firms, strategic corporate backers, and government-supported funds.
Contented: $4.1M seed, led by Altered Capital
Christchurch-based AI startup Contented has raised $4.1 million in an oversubscribed seed funding round as it prepares to expand into Australia. The round was led by Altered Capital, with backing from Australian venture capital firms Shearwater Capital and Exhort Ventures, alongside K1W1, Icehouse Ventures, Aspire NZ Seed Fund, and Phase One Ventures.
The company plans to open a Sydney office with a local team later this year, building on its existing Australian customer base including Lorica Partners, Lipman Burgon, Fortitude Wealth, Fowlers, and Mancell Group.
Neara: $90M Series D, led by TCV
Sydney-based Neara has closed a $90 million Series D funding round led by TCV, reaching a $1.1 billion valuation. Returning investors included Partners Group, EQT, Square Peg Capital, and Skip Capital, bringing total funds raised to approximately $180 million.
The funding will accelerate Neara’s global talent pipeline of machine learning and AI engineers while expanding its international commercial footprint. In Australia, nearly 90% of network utilities use the platform, including Essential, Endeavour, Ausgrid, and Ausnet.
Agovor: $3M pre-seed, led by Tenacious Ventures
New Zealand horticultural robotics startup Agovor has raised $3 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Australian agriculture-focused VC Tenacious Ventures. The round included co-investment from the Hort Innovation Investment Fund, managed by Artesian, and a Kiwi investor via Invest New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus scheme.
The company will use the funds to expand R&D, manufacturing, sales and service teams, with roles in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and New Zealand.
Wellumio: $6.2M pre-Series A, led by Nuance Connected Capital
New Zealand medtech Wellumio has raised NZ$7.28 million ($6.2 million) in a first close for its pre-Series A, led by Nuance Connected Capital. Support came from Icehouse Ventures, NZ Growth Capital Partners’ Aspire Seed Fund, Pacific Channel, Booster, and Cure Kids Ventures, with angel groups Flying Kiwi and Enterprise Angels also participating.
Wellumio’s Axana scanner delivers MRI-based stroke diagnostics in a portable, battery-powered system weighing just 50kg, designed for use directly at the point of care.
HAMR Energy: $10M Series A, backed by Qantas and Airbus
Australian low-carbon liquid fuels company HAMR Energy has closed a $10 million Series A funding round backed by Airbus, Qantas and industrial firm thyssenkrupp Uhde. The investment from Qantas and Airbus was made through their joint Australian Sustainable Aviation Fuel investment fund, with existing investors also recommitting.
The company’s flagship project, Portland Renewable Fuels in regional Victoria, is designed to produce 300,000 tonnes per year of low-carbon methanol using residues from the local plantation forestry industry.
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