What's New In Corporate Innovation?
Acquisitions, partnerships, and key insights from the innovation ecosystem
REA Group doubles down on investment in 3D Proptech Startup
- REA Group increased its stake in IMMERSIV, building on its initial investment from October 2024.
- The deal aims to help IMMERSIV scale teams in Melbourne and Sydney, enhance AI-driven 3D production, and support international expansion. The size of the investment was not disclosed.
Anthropic pitches new financial services AI after CBA partnership
- Anthropic launches Claude 4 tools aimed at financial services, claiming advanced modelling, due diligence, and rapid, “institutional‑quality” analysis using trusted data sources like Morningstar and PitchBook.
- Backed by Commonwealth Bank partnership and endorsement, reflecting growing sector adoption of AI beyond traditional uses such as fraud prevention and chatbots.
- Counterpoint: Open‑source enterprise AI is rising; startup New Dialogue touts Llama/Mistral-based, data-sovereign alternatives to proprietary “black‑box” systems for internal financial analysis and cost‑saving.
Other news:
Australian Unity to acquire Plena Healthcare from Zenitas for $70m
- Australian Unity will acquire Plena Healthcare from Zenitas for $70m, paid in two tranches ($45m now, balance in February 2026), to expand mobile allied health within its Home Health division.
- Post-ACCC clearance, the merged operations will employ 6,700+ staff, deliver ~4.5m care hours to 160,000+ customers annually, aiming to build a leading integrated healthcare provider.
Wealth manager Insignia Financial agrees to $3.3 billion buyout from CC Capital
- Deal terms: CC Capital to acquire Insignia Financial for $3.3b at $4.80/share—a 56.9% premium to the pre-bid price—with implementation targeted for H1 2026 pending shareholder and regulatory approvals (APRA, FIRB, ACCC).
- Context and rationale: After Bain and Brookfield exited the bidding, Insignia’s board unanimously recommends the offer, citing eight prior indicative bids, CC’s due diligence, market volatility, and Insignia’s scale ($330b FUM/FUA) alongside recent 2.6% quarterly growth and $2.1b net inflows.
What's new Startup World?
Key developments, funding rounds, and launches from the Australian startup ecosystem.
LaunchVic backs new VC funds and startup programs with $3.75M boost
- $3.75m investment: LaunchVic is funding seven new VC funds ($2.1m total, $300k each) expected to raise $275m+ for local startups, plus backing student pre-accelerators at ACU, Deakin, Federation, and La Trobe ($1.45m) and Aussie Founders Club events ($200k).
- Ecosystem lift focus: Strengthens early-stage capital, university entrepreneurship for 90,000+ students, and grassroots community, aiming for a whole-of-ecosystem boost across seed to Series A.
Airtree’s Fund V: $650m to back Aussie and Kiwi founders from idea to global household name
- Airtree launches Fund V: $650m split into a $250m Seed fund and $400m Growth fund to back ANZ software/AI founders from idea to global scale, with over 50% of the fund from tier‑one global institutions.
- Focus remains on leading early (seed/pre‑seed), concentrated portfolios, deep founder support, and capacity to double down at growth.
Other news:
AI customer support startup Lorikeet has now raised $75 million in just 10 months
- Series A and backers: Lorikeet raised US$35m (A$54m) led by QED, with Blackbird, Square Peg, Skip Capital, plus Capital49, Operator Partners, Airtree, Athletic Ventures also participating; notable angels include Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht.
- Lorikeet is an AI support “concierge” that resolve complex issues end‑to‑end across chat, email, and voice; emphasis on regulated sectors and real problem resolution.
Everlab raises $15 million to fight disease in ‘healthy’ people
- Everlab raised $15m seed (led by Left Lane Capital) to expand clinics, teams, and AI infrastructure; claims tens of thousands on the waitlist and targets 20x growth this year.
- They blend AI-driven analysis with full-body diagnostics (DEXA, CGM, VO2, advanced biomarkers) to centralise decades of health data and deliver personalized preventive interventions, with memberships at $3,000 (full) and $1,500 (diagnostic).
- To date they've processed over 1,000,000 biomarkers; about 25% abnormal and 2.5% uncovering serious conditions; positions metabolic health as the core of chronic disease and aims for global rollout from Australia.
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