Big bucks and big problems

It sure has been an eclectic week in the Australian small business world. And for better and worse, it’s been all about money.

Robin Khuda’s $100 million donation to boost women in STEM was nothing short of transformational, making history as Australia’s largest philanthropic gift by a South Asian founder. Mrinaal explains how it’s set to create life-changing opportunities for the next generation of tech leaders.

But not every bold vision pays off. Media startup Disrupt Radio will face a winding-down hearing in the Supreme Court of Victoria later this month for failing to pay its debts, with some workers still also waiting to be paid. Further SmartCompany investigation revealed former workers claiming late payments through 2024, and a lack of employment contracts.

On the funding front, ANZ startups raised $234.2 million this week, with standout investments in AI, legal tech, and healthcare. Eloise and David have the full breakdown, including AdvanCell’s $178.6 million raise to develop promising forms of cancer treatment.

While funding is in full swing this week, not everyone is seeing the benefits. My deep dive into the latest data from 2024 reveals that despite some progress, women founders are still facing significant funding shortfalls beyond the seed stage—raising questions about whether VC support is truly moving beyond lip service.

And David explores how Australian brands are bracing for impact as Trump’s new 10% tariff on Chinese imports adds another layer of complexity to their US expansion strategies.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy your weekend!

Tegan Jones

Deputy editor