Retreat & Destroy: what R&D reforms are doing to start-ups
For a government that is threatening to wipe out a significant number of tech start-ups with its proposed changes to the research and development tax incentive, it shouldn’t come as a surprise the Morrison government appears to have failed to do any research into the potential impact. After all, if the government had conducted its own study it would know that R&D tax incentives are the unsung hero of the start-up world, and reducing accessibility could be the death knell for innovation in Australia. But this is the same government that is without a minister focused only on innovation and one that has reduced spending on science, research and innovation […]
Stablecoins could lead cryptocurrency growth in 2019
With Bitcoin making a shaky climb closer to $4000, the entire industry of cryptocurrency is still reeling from hitting a relative low on the year last week. Since the start of the year, the number one cryptocurrency by market capitalization is down nearly 80 percent since peaking close to $20,000 in December 2017. For some, the falling price of Bitcoin and the broader altcoin has raised the alarm and led to widespread selling out, negativity and a soured mood towards crypto and blockchain-based assets. Just yesterday, EWN reported on the significant number of crypto-based startups which have been forced either to close shop or make substantial staff cuts in response […]
SA govt launches blockchain challenge to spur industry
Offers $100,000 prize pool to entrepreneurs. The South Australian government is hoping to forge its position as Australia’s “blockchain capital” through a new $100,000 challenge for entrepreneurs. On Wednesday it launched the blockchain innovation challenge, inviting South Australian residents (or those willing to relocate) to pitch ideas that solve problems using blockchain. The government hopes to use the competition as a means to attract blockchain enterprises and make the state as Australia’s “blockchain capital”. “The South Australian Government recognises this potential and is working to create the right environment for blockchain enterprises to thrive,” it said. It is calling for “well-thought out projects” that hold the promise of benefiting the state […]
Fintech joins express loans partnership
A digital mortgage service fintech has announced it will join a partnership to create fast, paperless home loans. Tic:Toc and Bendigo Bank announced recently they would be teaming up to offer “express” loans. Now, legal fintech LeadPoint, which specialises in providing automated home loan documentation, has announced it would join them. The group has generated more than 50,000 home loan contracts through its platform since it launched in 2013. LeadPoint’s involvement in Bendigo Bank Express is the next phase of LeadPoint’s partnership with Tic:Toc loans, which already offers ‘webmortgages’ loan documentation as part of its instant home loan assessment and approval platform. LeadPoint uses its proprietary platform to produce digital […]
American Express praises Ripple for cross-border payments, calls blockchain technology ‘very promising’
American Express is at it again with positive comments on blockchain technology and praising Ripple.
Practifi: How a successful Fintech company was created from a few glasses of wine
Adrian Johnstone, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-founder of Practifi, recently spoke to the Entrepreneur Podcast Network (EPN), where he went into depth about his company, what inspired its inception, and what the future holds for the financial advice and services industry as Practifi expands into the US market. Practifi is the business management platform for the financial advice industry. It is an exciting alternative to traditional CRM systems and offers an end-to-end solution that revolutionises financial services businesses by enabling them to reach their full growth potential. With you can run your business on the cloud, automate your workflows, integrate the best tools and build the advice business you’ve always […]
Fintech player Douugh scores MasterCard partnership
Australian fintech start-up Douugh has scored a new partnership with MasterCard, joining forces to launch a smart bank account with a debit card from the global payments giant. Douugh, which was founded by SocietyOne’s Andy Taylor, has created a personal financial assistant utilising artificial intelligence. But the start-up does not intend to become a bank, rather it claims to want to help people save more and live debt free. Mr Taylor said the partnership with MasterCard would give the company a “big boost of horsepower”, letting it create a product that would be available in three of MasterCard’s major regions – the US, Australia and Britain – by 2020. “MasterCard […]
Start-up heads up a crypto currency new wave of business
Among the best and brightest have showcased in Noosa the future of block chain technologies that make crypto currency trading possible and the potential impacts of the technologies over the upcoming decade. The inaugural Crypto Coast Convention #CCCnoosa saw more than 100 delegates brainstorm the Peregian Beach Digital Hub, Peppers Noosa Resort and the Innovation Centre at Sippy Downs. Guest of the opening discussion panel was made up of Queensland Chief Entrepreneur and founder of Everledger, Leanne Kemp, CEO of Civic Ledger Katrina Donaghy, MP Sandy Bolton MP, Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington, co-founder of Crypto Coast Convention Taylor Tran and Jon Allison from Modern Assets. Mr Tran said the Sunshine […]
