Opportunities being lost as crowdfunding debate rumbles on
The ongoing debate regarding the introduction of crowd-sourced funding legislation appears to have lost sight of the essential point. Start-ups, investors and the economy continue to miss out on valuable opportunities while people argue. While other countries, including New Zealand and the US, already permit companies to raise capital under a crowd-sourced offer, the Australian legislation allowing public companies to do so has not yet come into effect. The government is now proposing to also allow proprietary companies to raise capital by means of a crowd-sourced offer, with draft legislation currently under consideration. Once implemented, these new measures will expand the scope of the legislation and allow more start-ups to […]
Singapore based fintech investment platform Fundnel establishes Australian headquarters in Adelaide
Singapore fintech investment portal Fundnel will establish an Australian headquarters in Adelaide. The private investment platform, which has helped investors invest $75 million in businesses since it launched two years ago, will work with Adelaide University’s Thinc-Lab incubator, Health SA, TechinSA and InvestSA to connect Australian investors with local opportunities to accelerate growth. The Australian operations will be headed by Dr Steven Fang, co-founder and former chief executive of Singaporean-based CapBridge. He has more than 28 years of experience in the private and public investment sectors. He will be supported by a local team of business development specialists and core members of the Fundnel team. “I’m excited to be on […]
Privacy fears fuel a fintech pioneer
A rebellion is stirring against our digital overlords, as seed and venture capital investors place bets on new business models that feed on privacy concerns in the post-Snowden era. Perversely, large-scale data breaches only benefit fintech companies like the Stone & Chalk resident Meeco, which aims to disrupt the likes of Google and Facebook by enabling consumers to regain control of their personal data and turn it into a valuable asset. Until about five years ago, Meeco founder and chief executive Katryna Dow’s privacy mission was falling on deaf ears — she was out of step with a seemingly manic desire by people to share everything online. In 2013, a […]
Re-listed fintech hopeful comes back to the market after merger
ASX investors reacted positively when the newly minted post-merger Afterpay Touch Group hit the ASX boards last Thursday, pushing the stock 8 per cent higher on its first trading day. The listing is a result of the combination of two digital payment companies: Afterpay and Touchcorp. Australia has a long way to go to catch up to its global counterparts when it comes to technology and innovation. According to a 2015 study on global innovation Australia ranked 17th in the world, well behind the US, Germany or the UK. More importantly, “the lucky country” also lagged regional counterparts Singapore, South Korea and our neighbour New Zealand. Despite its impact, information […]
Lendi breaks the fintech mould
It’s arguably one of the oldest fintech start-ups in Australia and is now likely to play an important role in guiding the fortunes of Fairfax’s real estate business Domain. However, Sydney-based Lendi isn’t keen on the oft-repeated disrupter tag. Company co-founder and managing director David Hyman told The Australian the idea behind the start-up was to untangle the vast volume of data home buyers have at their fingertips when it comes to getting a mortgage. According to Mr Hyman, while there’s a lot of information out there for existing and aspiring home owners the overall process of getting a mortgage remains grossly overcomplicated. “The experience is poor,” Mr Hyman said. […]
DomaCom reaches crowdfunded property deal
DomaCom has signed an agreement with a property developer to help launch a residential community land project in regional Victoria. The deal with Akuna Lifestyle Estates will involve a $6 million capital raising comprising $1.65 million to acquire the land and $4.35 million for development planning, approvals and construction of the civil works, and common facilities including a clubhouse, sports centre, pool and bowling green, according to a statement. The Cobram-based project is planned to be developed and sold in eight stages over three to four years, starting this year. DomaCom said it will use its fractional property investment platform to offer an attractive yield to investors for acquisition and […]
What is the impact of Blockchain on the Economy?
Blockchain, a type of ledger technology, has been under intense study for the last year by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, or CSIRO, specifically by their Data61 group. Data 61 is a partnership group dedicated to finding, creating, and studying data innovation. Therefore, their recently released reports pronouncing blockchain a “highly promising” way to manage supply chains for the government, finance, and industries and to increase Australia’s productivity are an exciting breakthrough that could put Australia at the forefront of technology and enterprise. But the CSIRO reports come with a warning that Blockchain may have some vulnerabilities as well. After being commissioned by Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison, MP, […]
Australian govt consults on digital currency taxation legislation
The Australian government is looking for the best way to address the so-called “double taxation” of digital currency which is now prescribed by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law. The push comes amid a sharp growth in the use of this particular type of medium of exchange. The government has published exposure draft legislation and explanatory material for amendments to the GST law. The public consultation on these proposals will run for four weeks, closing on July 26, 2017. The draft legislation would have a retrospective start date of July 1, 2017. In summary, from July 1, 2017, digital currency will be treated just like money for GST purposes. […]
