Australia’s startup ecosystem is entering 2026 with renewed momentum. After a strong 2025, where startups raised over USD 5 billion in venture funding, investor confidence has rebounded, even as capital becomes more concentrated in fewer, higher-quality deals.
At the same time, funding is becoming increasingly selective. Larger rounds are being deployed into companies with proven traction, particularly in sectors like artificial intelligence, clean technology, and infrastructure.
The list below highlights 10 Australian startups that raised funding in early 2026, based strictly on the largest disclosed rounds during January and February.
While this article highlights the largest funding rounds, most startups in Australia raise significantly smaller early-stage funding.
1. Gilmour Space Technologies
Gilmour Space Technologies is a space rocket company that develops low-cost hybrid launch vehicles.
Sector: CleanTech, SpaceTech
Funding Stage: Series E
Total Funding: USD 237.7 million
Last Round Size: USD 145.7 million
Lead Investor: National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC), Blackbird
2. Upguard
UpGuard is a comprehensive cyber risk solution that combines third-party security ratings, vendor questionnaires, and threat intelligence capabilities to help businesses manage and improve their security posture.
Sector: AI & Machine Learning
Funding Stage: Series C
Total Funding: USD 107.5 million
Last Round Size: USD 74.6 million
Lead Investor: Springcoast Capital
3. Neara
Neara is a cloud-based enterprise platform that provides complex analysis, design, and application access to the infrastructure industry.
Sector: Cloud Computing
Funding Stage: Series D
Total Funding: USD 120.8 million
Last Round Size: USD 63.4 million
4. Lyka Pet Food
Lyka is Australia’s dog food subscription that provides fresh food for dogs on demand.
Sector: Consumer Product
Funding Stage: Series C
Total Funding: USD 102.2 million
Last Round Size: USD 51.9 million
Lead Investor: LGVP
5. GigaComm
GigaComm is a telecommunications company that provides internet to businesses and communities.
Sector: Cloud Computing / IoT
Funding Stage: Series B
Total Funding: USD 46.9 million
Last Round Size: USD 45.5 million
Lead Investor: Palisade Impact
6. Applied EV
Applied EV is a Melbourne-based vehicle maker that merges self-driving technology, accelerating its adoption in transport.
Sector: Analytics
Funding Stage: Series B
Total Funding: USD 53.7 million
Last Round Size: USD 40.5 million
Lead Investor: National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC)
7. Autograb Australia
AutoGrab is a vehicle software business that assists dealerships, finance and insurance companies in improving their bottom line and make better decisions.
Sector: AI & Machine Learning
Funding Stage: Series B
Total Funding: USD 40.1 million
Last Round Size: USD 32.9 million
Lead Investor: Octopus Ventures, Movac New Zealand
8. Splose
Splose is a practice management software designed to streamline operations for Allied Health and NDIS providers.
Sector: HealthTech
Funding Stage: Series A
Total Funding: USD 34.5 million
Last Round Size: USD 32.6 million
Lead Investor: Spectrum Equity
9. Fluent
Fluent Commerce is a provider of cloud-native distributed order management for omnichannel retail.
Sector: Cloud Computing / Ecommerce
Funding Stage: Series C
Total Funding: USD 88.5 million
Last Round Size: USD 32.6 million
Lead Investor: Bain Capital
10. Lumonus AI
Lumonus AI is an AI-powered radiation oncology workflow solution with a twofold focus of user-centric software products and providing value-added services.
Sector: Health Tech
Funding Stage: Series B
Total Funding: USD 29.8 million
Last Round Size: USD 19.9 million
Lead Investor: Aviron Investment Management
| Company | Sector | Funding Stage | Total Funding (USD M) | Last Round Size(USD M) | Lead Investor |
| Gilmour Space Technologies | CleanTech, SpaceTech | Series E | 237.7 | 145.7 | NRFC, Blackbird |
| Upguard | AI & Machine Learning | Series C | 107.5 | 74.6 | Springcoast Capital |
| Neara | Cloud Computing | Series D | 120.8 | 63.4 | – |
| Lyka Pet Food | Consumer Product | Series C | 102.2 | 51.9 | LGVP |
| GigaComm | Cloud Computing / IoT | Series B | 46.9 | 45.5 | Palisade Impact |
| Applied EV | Analytics | Series B | 53.7 | 40.5 | NRFC |
| Autograb Australia | AI & Machine Learning | Series B | 40.1 | 32.9 | Octopus Ventures, Movac |
| Splose | HealthTech | Series A | 34.5 | 32.6 | Spectrum Equity |
| Fluent | Cloud Computing / Ecommerce | Series C | 88.5 | 32.6 | Bain Capital |
| Lumonus AI | Health Tech | Series B | 29.8 | 19.9 | Aviron Investment Management |
Source: Alternatives.pe
Sign up for free trial on Alternatives.pe to explore company profiles and deal data from 375,000+ private companies in Southeast Asia and Australia. Find detailed company financial details including valuation, cap tables, funding, shareholding and share price of every round; as well as investors and all their investments.
