Startup ecosystem stories

Canadian merger and acquisition activity is set to surge in 2026 as domestic startups gain favour, driven by local firms seeking labour-saving tech solutions.

NEC X invites founders to join Elev X! Ignite, offering hands-on AI access and up to USD $250,000 funding for seed-ready B2B SaaS startups.

A survey reveals 67% of UK startup founders are aged over 45, highlighting a shift towards entrepreneurship as a second career backed by personal funding.

Prophet has appointed Bec Geyer as Head of Talent and People to lead recruitment and development amid rapid growth in its decision science and tech teams.

Kay Pang Law Practise launches in Singapore, offering tech startups access to senior legal guidance for compliance, governance and growth support.

PixelForce unveils an AUD $1.5m Launchpad to support ten Aussie tech firms with tools and advice for overcoming scaling challenges beyond product launch.

Australia has seen a 40% rise in tech rescue projects, revealing a gap between startup ambition and early-stage technical support needed for scaling.

Andiron Group and Lucrum Ventures launch an Investor Impact Accelerator to prepare Australian startups for funding rounds, growth and exit strategies.

SOUTHSTART 2026 returns to Adelaide, uniting founders, investors, and innovators across Australia’s startup and technology sectors in March.

ACTivate Capital launches a AUD $50m venture fund to support Canberra startups, aiming to retain talent and boost local innovation over the next decade.

MaRS relaunches its Capital Programme to connect global investors with top Canadian tech startups, boosting early-stage funding and market access.

Liza Noonan will become CEO of Cicada Innovations in November 2025, aiming to boost Australia's deep tech sector and grow its global presence.

Gaming firms often raise equity early on, but cohort financing offers a smarter, less dilutive way to fund predictable growth stages.

Nebius launches global awards with USD $100,000 in AI Cloud credits for startups advancing robotics and physical AI across Asia, Europe and the US.

Peak XV launches Surge 11 with 23 startups across AI, fintech, consumer brands, and infrastructure from India, APAC, and global markets.

Cloudflare will recruit 1,111 interns globally in 2026, expanding its programme to support students with hands-on tech experience and mentorship worldwide.

ASME hosted IMECE India 2025 in Hyderabad, marking the first time the event was held outside the US, with record student participation and diverse engineering initiatives.

Southeast Asia’s startup funding fell to USD $1.85 billion in H1 2025, a six-year low, amid economic uncertainty and stricter governance standards.

RevisionSuccess concludes its inaugural RevIntern 1.0 programme with nine interns, ahead of launching the expanded RevIntern 2.0 this September in Thailand.

Sam Kroonenburg wins the 2025 Pearcey Victorian Entrepreneur Award for his tech leadership and global impact with ventures like Cuttable and A Cloud Guru.