Three ANZ startups that raised $36.1 million this week

This week, we counted three Australian and New Zealand tech companies that raised fresh capital. One startup focuses on helping commercial property managers work more efficiently, and another specializes in technology solutions for the global carpet manufacturing sector.

Read on to find out more.

But before you do, check out our Melbourne Pitch winner, Oltre. The residential design startup aims to reduce the consultation time for architects and give buyers access to a new world of thoughtful designs that can be customized to each buyer’s personal preferences.

Release: $18.6 million

New Zealand real estate technology startup Re-Leased has raised US$12.5 million ($18.6 million) to support the continued global expansion of its AI-powered property management platform.

Founded in 2011 by Tom Wallace, Re-Leased was founded to accelerate all aspects of commercial property management, from handling tenant maintenance requests, sourcing quotes, writing emails and creating work orders.

In June, the startup launched the platform’s AI-powered “brain,” Credia, which it says can reduce the time property managers spend on repetitive tasks.

The oversubscribed funding round was led by Movac, with participation from existing investors and Icehouse Ventures.

In the statement provided SmartCompanyRe-Leased said the funding will help strengthen the use of artificial intelligence in its software, provide liquidity to early investors and help the startup further expand in the UK and US.

“Our vision is to help our clients run a better real estate business,” founder Tom Wallace said in a statement.

“The global real estate industry is facing significant headwinds and a cyclical slowdown, and in this challenging environment, more and more real estate professionals are realizing that automation and artificial intelligence give them a distinct advantage in the market.”

The startup says it currently serves 1,400 customers, has 350,000 tenants and $7.5 billion in rent. It has offices in Auckland, Melbourne, Dallas, London and Napier.

Bluebird: $15 million

Victoria-based advanced manufacturing company Modra has secured a $15 million investment from the Australian Business Growth Fund (ABGF).

As reported SmartCompany Modra plans this week to allocate new funds for research and development and to expand its workforce to about 50 people at its headquarters in Warragul in regional Victoria.

The company was founded in 1993 by its CEO Tim Modra. It is dedicated to creating technological solutions for the global carpet manufacturing sector.

The company’s core offerings include Kibby and Mtuft carpet prototyping machines and a robotic system called CreelMT, which the company says is smaller and more efficient than existing alternatives.

Modra serves 200 clients from 35 countries.

ABGF is backed by the federal government and major banks. To date, it has invested $180 million of its $540 million endowment.

Modra joins ABGF’s investment portfolio, which also includes industrial laundry company Consolidated Linen Service, specialist pipe and fittings manufacturer Derwent Industries and UV protective clothing innovator Solbari.

Read more.

Safe Farming Systems: $2.5 million

The AgFood Fund has committed $2.5 million over the next 12 months to Safe Ag Systems.

The security management software startup was founded by Katy Landt as a solopreneur and has since grown to 18 employees.

Nearly 10,000 users use Safe Ag Now, a safety and workflow monitoring app that helps improve efficiency when working with farm equipment, chemicals and water.

In 2024, the company’s revenue amounted to USD 2 million, and from 2025 it will generate cash flow.

“Safe Ag was an ideal investment because of its sustainable, scalable model. First, critical proactive logging and improving farmer safety with partners such as insurance companies. Second, efficient allocation of people, machinery and inputs to operations,” said an AgFood Fund spokesperson.

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