Five Australian and New Zealand startups raised a combined $29.8 million this week, spanning space tech, medtech, agtech and sports analytics. Here’s who raised what, who backed them, and what each company actually does.
Outlier Space raised $10.5 million
The Auckland-based space startup landed US$7.35 million (A$10.5m) in pre-seed funding, led by New Zealand VC GD1, with support from Airtree, Icehouse Ventures, Investible, Nova Threshold, Side Stage Ventures and angel investor Brian Cartmell. Outlier is building reusable satellite capsules that carry research and manufacturing payloads into microgravity and bring them safely back to Earth, aimed at pharmaceutical and advanced materials companies.
Navi Medical Technologies raised $6.8 million
The Melbourne medtech’s round was led by $4 million from healthcare VC KP Rx, with existing backers Innovation (formerly Breakthrough) Victoria and Pacific Channel also participating. Navi makes Neonav, an FDA-cleared vascular device that helps clinicians insert catheters into the veins of critically ill newborns and children, and is now pushing into US hospitals.
Superstat raised $3.5 million
The Melbourne sports tech startup’s pre-seed round was led by Blackbird, with support from Blinq founder Jarrod Webb and Mindset Health co-founders Alex and Chris Naoumidis. Superstat uses AI to turn raw match footage into player stats and performance data for community and amateur sports clubs, and is relocating to Austin, Texas after the raise.
Agscent raised $5 million
The NSW agtech’s round came from VCs Scale Investors and Tundra Capital, along with family offices and farmers, valuing the company at $26.9 million. Agscent uses sensors and AI to analyse cattle breath, detecting pregnancy, illness and methane output, cutting pregnancy detection time from 40 days down to as little as 18.
Octopusbot raised $1 million
The Sydney agtech’s round was backed by Folklore Ventures and No Brand. Octopusbot uses AI to forecast grain crop production, supply risk and price direction up to seven months ahead of official estimates, and already has more than 100 customers globally including a partnership with Elders.
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