Australia’s tech news headlines in May 2023 covered items including: a new, environmentally-friendlier lithium extraction method; the release of Australia’s National Quantum Strategy; the successful completion of an Australian central bank digital currency trial; nano-satellites used to identify mineral deposits from space; and more.
Hit the Australian tech news headline links below to read the articles, commentaries, coverage and downloads behind the headlines in full.
◉ New Zealand: May 2023 snapshot >
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Tech Council of Australia: Australia’s Generative AI opportunity
- Australia: CommBank Startup Pitch Fest applications close May 8th for selection for the May 24th event, part of Melbourne Small Biz Week
- Australia: Applications close July 7th for fintech startups to enter the Pitch, backed by AWS, Fintech Australia and others
- Australia: Adelaide’s Paladin Space is developing an orbital collection-and-compacting solution to clear space debris
- Australia: Government releases inaugural National Quantum Strategy, setting out a” long-term vision for the country’s approach to the technologies involved
Australia: SXSW Sydney 2023, October 15-22
- Australia: Inaugural Foodpreneurs Festival set for May 19th at Sydney Startup Hub, showcasing founders in food and drink, sustainability and packaging
- Australia: Novalith gains Au$23M Series A with lithium extraction method cutting costs across processing, plant and plant footprints by up to 65%, 50%, and 25%, respectively whilst using 90% less water
“Microsoft on Wednesday argued against Australia focusing too much on sovereign tech capabilities and data storage requirements, telling a parliament inquiry it would harm competition and security.”
- Australia: The Supporting Australian Critical Minerals initiative preps to provide 4 years of support to grow and consolidate opportunities for the domestic critical minerals industry
- Australia: An intro to the 10 startups selected for Curtin University’s Accelerate program, working in healthcare, construction, mining and more
- Australia: Defence 10x Accelerator applications close May 29th for Australian startups building solutions enhancing the country’s sovereign defence capabilities
Australian Strategic Policy Institute: AUKUS and critical minerals
- Australia: eBay Ventures backs The Volte, a startup allowing users to rent luxury dresses to other consumers, backed by direct integration with retailers and designers
- Australia’s Green Gravity energy storage firm to build R&D facility in NSW, utilizing disused mine shafts for gravity-driven energy production, and to feature ‘digital twin’ for modeling, analysis and refinement
- Tennis Australia launches 2nd round of AO StartUps program, seeking tech startups globally with a focus on sports innovation
- Australia: Purple Hive Project trials AI-backed hive at North Queensland cargo port, using high-def cameras and AI analysis to spot parasites
- Australia: RBA and Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre complete first successful CBDC transfer in pilot program, trading the eAUD to the USDC stablecoin
KPMG Venture Pulse Report Q2 2023 – Asia findings
- Australia: TikTok expands controversial trial of gambling-focused ad partnerships
- Australia’s Xsights takes overall win at Future Food Asia 2023 Awards with XIoT Tag enabling real-time tracking, data collection and processing of livestock location and health
- Australia: Queensland’s White Graphene takes win at recent Sustainability in Space Pitch Challenge, with Boeing set to invest up to $100K in the firm’s nanomaterials concept
- Australia: Arula gains $2.2M with Earth Observatory data platform, featuring satellite imagery archive and API allowing users to search and order data from free and commercial satellites
- Australia: Medical cannabis firm, Cannaponics, secures $5M via crowdfunding, seeing prescriptions demand predicted to hit 30,000kg by 2024
World Economic Forum Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2023
- Australia’s Immersion Group backed by Japan’s Nissui seafood major with land-based cultivation of methane-reducing seaweed for use in cattle feed
- Australian Securities Exchange abandons blockchain tech or distributed ledger tech for revamp of Clearing House system, and now seeks a more conventional solution
- Australia: Former NSW digital gov’t minister Dominello to take seat on Tech Council of Australia board, ensuring the board maintains a bi-partisan model
- Australia: Latest edition of Silicon Beach Virtual Pitch Night from Silicon Beach Australia is set for June 1st, with pitch slots available
- Australia: An intro to 3 of the country’s agri-tech startups, working on vertical farming, biotech, and indoor farming solutions
Digital Assets in Australia – Tech Council / Accenture
- Australia: AustCyber and Stone & Chalk launch AustCyber Innovation Network, aiming to boost innovation, fortify cyber security communities, and provide collaboration opportunities
- Available now: ‘ASTN Sports Innovation Report 2023’ from the Australian Sports Technologies Network, looking at a sector now on-par with fintech, valued at Aus$4.25BN
- Australia’s Fleet Space Technologies hits $350M valuation with ‘nanosatellites’ with focus on identification of mineral deposits from space
World Economic Forum: Shared Intelligence for Resilient Supply Systems
New Zealand: May 2023 snapshot
- New Zealand: 5 startups selected for Global innovation launchpad for New Zealand aquaculture, working in oyster cultivation, packaging and transport, and more
- New Zealand: Gov’t to partner New Zealand Steel to shrink carbon footprint of Glenbrook steel mill, including construction of electric arc furnace
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