Blackbird Ventures
Australia VC: Policy permutations
Plans to reinstate tax breaks for Australian start-ups that issue share options to staff rather than pay sizeable salaries has cheered VC investors. They are generally positive about the government role in fostering innovation
Asian start-up hubs: Global mandates
Innovation hubs have traditionally been defined by the size of their immediately addressable market. But with better access to capital, information and technology, some Asian jurisdictions are going global
Founders Fund, Shasta Ventures back Australia's Canva
Founders Fund and Shasta Ventures have led a $3.6 million round of funding for Canva, an Australian website that allows amateur designers to create polished web graphics using drag-and-drop tools.
Accelerator fundraising: Backing the batch
The start-up accelerator can offer attractive opportunities for early-stage investors but the business model is still in its infancy and educating potential backers can still be challenge
Blackbird set for $22m close on Australia VC fund
Australian VC firm Blackbird Ventures will reach a final close on its debut fund by the end of April with around A$25 million ($22.7 million) in capital commitments. There will be approximately 90 LPs, predominantly the founders of Australian tech start-ups...
Bitcoin: VC firms eye Asia opportunities
Bitcoin’s emergence as a currency in Asia has attracted mixed reactions from regulators. For VC investors there is a chance to disrupt the exisitng payment hierarchy, but they must also work with it
Blackbird leads round for Australian bitcoin start-up
Blackbird Ventures has invested A$250,000 ($227,645) to lead a A$500,000 round of funding for Melbourne-based CoinJar, a bitcoin wallet and exchange provider. Angel investors in the round include RetailMeNot founders Guy King and Bevan Clark and game...
VC fundraising: Where angels flock
Venture capital fundraising has become difficult for all but the select few in Asia as LPs concentrate their resources on established names. Where will replacement investors come from?
Australia's PushStart closes accelerator program
PushStart, an Australian firm that offers mentoring to early stage Australian tech startups, has shut down its accelerator program.
Australia VC: New faces
A new generation of VC firms is emerging in Australia, despite little appetite for the asset class from domestic LPs. Success hinges on leveraging Silicon Valley networks and targeting particular market niches
High-profile angel investors back Australian start-up Canva
Australian online design start-up Canva has attracted $3 million in seed funding from a group of high-profile angel investors, including Adrian MacKenzie, who left his position as head of CVC Capital Partners’ local operations late last year.