Here’s this week’s fundraising announcements:
Bovotica raises $3.4m to tackle methane emissions in cattle
QUT spinout Bovotica has secured $3.4 million in seed funding to commercialise its methane-reduction technology for livestock. Founded by Dr Andrew Leech alongside Professors Gene Tyson and Phil Pope from QUT’s Centre for Microbiome Research, the startup aims to reduce cattle methane emissions while improving metabolic efficiency. The breakthrough targets the gut microbiome, potentially delivering significant climate and productivity gains.
Phase One Ventures completes early-stage fund deployment
Kiwi venture capital firm Phase One Ventures has fully deployed its NZ$2.1 million (A$1.94m) early-stage fund into 14 tech startups, four years after launch. Notably, 36% of investments went to female-led companies. Backed by GD1 and founding members from Canva and Kami, 12 startups have already secured follow-on funding from major players like Blackbird, Icehouse, and GTM VC, with one attracting US investors Fika Ventures and Uncorked Ventures.
Victoria Backs AI-driven health startups with ACTIVATE Accelerator
Fifteen high-growth health tech companies have been selected for the 2025 ACTIVATE digital health accelerator, with over half deploying AI-based solutions. Delivered by ANDHealth in partnership with LaunchVic, the program aims to scale Victorian medtech innovators and boost commercialisation. The announcement follows renewed Victorian Government funding for ACTIVATE through 2028, positioning digital health as a priority sector for economic growth. The cohort includes ventures such as:
- Actimo Labs: AI-driven antibody screening
- ANTSA For Professionals: AI-supported mental health platform
- Co-Linic AI: Automation tools for allied health professionals
- Dexora Technology: 3D printing for prosthetics
- HeraMED: Remote maternity care platforms
- I’m in Health: Workflow tools for clinical staff
- Mitte Analytics: Hospital supply chain AI
- NexusMD.ai: Embedded Agentic AI in hospitals
- OnSet: Voice-first admin tools for specialists
- StatDoctor: Marketplace connecting doctors to shifts
- The Play Way: Allied health support for rural children
- TSNano: Quantum sensing point-of-care diagnostics
- Vis-CAT: Cognitive assessment tools for children
- Zaplutus Health: Wearable vital sign monitor
- Zezehealth: AI-powered X-ray diagnostics
Plexus raises $6M to drive AI-powered legal tech expansion
Legal automation platform Plexus has raised over $6 million to fuel international growth and accelerate its AI product roadmap. Backed by existing investors and Lighter Capital (Seattle), the funding marks Plexus’ first institutional round. The platform streamlines legal operations for in-house teams and will use the funds to expand into global markets and scale product development.
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