Four Australian startups collectively raised $12 million this week, spanning laundry services, health screening technology, and cryptocurrency platforms, with government backing supporting several rounds.
This week’s funding rounds paint a picture of an Australian startup ecosystem betting big on everyday services and preventative health, with four companies collectively securing $12 million across sectors from laundry to medical imaging.
Service economy scores big
The largest deal came from an unexpected quarter. Sunshine Coast-based on-demand laundry service platform The Laundry Lady has raised $1 million in seed funding as the company eyes international expansion into Canada and the UK, ending 13 years of bootstrapping in the process.
Founded by Susan Toft in 2012, The Laundry Lady has revolutionised the traditional laundry service industry through its network of more than 375 home-based contractors providing pickup and delivery services across Australia and New Zealand.
The oversubscribed round was led by Karl Jacoby, chair of Techniche, with support from Brisbane Angels, AngelLoop, and AI ethicist Dr Catriona Wallace. Government backing came through the Queensland Female Founders Co-Investment Fund and Austrade’s Export Market Development Grant.
“The $1 million in seed funding will be used on developing the next stage of our AI-powered platform and app development, helping to streamline the experience for our valued residential” customers, Toft told SmartCompany.
The funding reflects broader resilience in Australian startup funding, with investors increasingly backing service-oriented businesses that solve practical problems.
Health tech heats up
Meanwhile, proven entrepreneurs are doubling down on health technology. Dr Vu Tran and Andrew Barnes, who helped build Go1, have teamed up with entrepreneur Gopi Sara to create OneMRI, billed as Australia’s first national provider of whole-body MRI scans.
The preventative healthcare startup secured $2.5 million in seed funding from a diverse group including OIF, TEN13, Antler, Salus, AfterWork, Archangel, Black Sheep Capital, Prtnr, Tribe Global, and Larsen Ventures, alongside clinicians and radiologists.
The cash is for national expansion, targeting what they call the “health curious” using whole-body MRI scans for preventative healthcare. OneMRI currently operates across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne, with Asia Pacific expansion planned.
The involvement of Go1 founders adds credibility to the health tech play. Go1, their education technology platform, achieved significant scale before this new venture launched in October 2024.
Accelerator momentum builds
Startup accelerator Startmate unveiled its Winter 2025 cohort, dubbed “the clever 13,” featuring companies tackling period poverty, AI-native workplaces, and haptic virtual reality technology.
The cohort includes Care GP, Ninja AI, Medlo, Matchbox, Promosync, Integuide, Luck, On The House, June Health, Leakster, On Zero, HeySTU, and Rave, spanning healthcare agents to at-home screening kits.
While specific funding amounts weren’t disclosed for individual companies, Startmate’s track record suggests significant future investment potential for cohort members.
Crypto comeback continues
Cryptocurrency platform Block Earner closed an $8 million Series A despite ongoing regulatory challenges with ASIC over its former fixed-yield product.
The round was led by Hong Kong crypto investor CMCC Global’s Titan Fund, with support from Sydney VC King River Capital, valuing the company at $75 million. Block Earner previously raised $7 million in 2022 from Framework Ventures and Coinbase Ventures.
Founded in 2021, the platform has navigated regulatory scrutiny while building its business around digital asset services.
The diverse funding activity reflects broader trends in Australian startup investment, where investors are backing practical solutions alongside emerging technology plays.
From 13-year bootstrapped businesses finally taking investment to proven founders launching new ventures, this week’s funding activity suggests Australian entrepreneurs continue finding capital for growth across traditional and emerging sectors.
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