Hype Man - 21 July 2024

Welcome to edition #5 of the Hype Man Newsletter!

Your weekly dose of everything you need to know about the Australian Tech & Innovation ecosystem.

Your weekly dose of everything you need to know about the Australian Tech & Innovation ecosystem.

Early this week I announced that I’m hitting the road to spread the word about Australian Tech & Innovation worldwide. This edition is coming to you from frantic Ho Chi Minh City, where I’m meeting with key ecosystem builders to help build an Innovation bridge between Vietnam and Australia to aid future cross-country collaboration.

After Vietnam, I’ll be voyaging to South Korea and the Philippines, with a brief stint Down Under prefacing a 5 week crusade in the behemoth that is India.

To document everything that I’m learning on the way I’m launching another Newsletter, Startup Vagabond. Which is a deep dive into the various Startup ecosystems around the world and what we can learn from them.

If you’re keen to join me on my journey then you can subscribe here

What does this mean for the Hype Man Newsletter?

Nothing! If anything it’s going to give me more time to write this (as I sit on 15 hour bus trips), more rich content and is my connection to my local ecosystem.

Plus the two publications go hand in hand. Think of it like this:

Startup Vagabond = Global

Hype Man = Australia

It just means more of me in your inbox and infinitely more Hype on a bigger platform.

I look forward to continuing the journey with you all!

Big love,

Dickie Currer - Author & Hype Man for the Australian Tech & Innovation ecosystem

In case you missed it!

Cut Through Ventures released their Q2 2024 State of Australian funding report

The positives: 

• Q2 saw the biggest investment into Startups since Q4 2022, with a total funding of $1.5 billion pumped into the industry

• Investor sentiment that the worst of the funding winter was over was at a high, with 46% of those surveyed optimistic about the future

The not so positives: 

• Funding into Female Founders was the lowest it’s been since 2019 despise the all the activity in the industry we’re still not seeing it convert into Women led Startups getting funded

• Early stage funding is still hard to come by. With several $100+ million plus rounds inflating the overall funding figure and papering over this problem somewhat

You can read the full report here 

SXSW Sydney announces it’s keynote speakers for 2024

The world’s leading creative festival is back for its second year on Australian shores in October and we’re starting to see its epic program coming together.

New York Times best-selling author of Magic Pill and Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention, Johann Hari will take the SXSW Sydney stage this year, as well as formidable human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, who has been a long-standing member of the legal team defending Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.

I’ve been an Advisor for the Tech & Innovation programming, which is also looking very juicy and in my capacity have an exclusive 10% discount code for my subscribers.

If you’re joining me for this year’s edition then grab your ticket here

The Gold Coast goes off

Last week Australia’s 6th biggest city announced itself on the national stage as one of the up and coming Startup ecosystems!

With its #GCTECH Ecosystem Event hosted by Invest Gold Coast welcoming over 350 attendees sharing intel, ideas, networks and stories.

I can’t wait to see what comes out of the Goldy next!

5 Startups that I’m excited about this week

I get to meet hundreds of Founders a week, here’s a few that have jumped out at me recently! 

1. JubJub

JubJub is simplifying technical exchange between media owners and streaming platforms, streamlining the process and allowing collaboration, automation whilst maintaining security

Join the JubJub pilot

2. Alchemis.AI

An AI consultancy that acts as the on-ramp for AI in organisations. Alchemis.AI offers consulting and AI Agents to automate repetitive tasks, boosting speed, accuracy, and cost-efficiency for businesses.

Read more about them here

3. Whattle 

Whattle is the future of circular shopping. Designed to ease financial insecurity and reduce environmental waste. Allowing you to trade in your wardrobe, and keep the cycle going.

You can join the Whattle revolution here

4. Hire Yesterday

Bringing the talent you needed yesterday to your team today. Premium headhunting to professional services firms, leveraging AI-powered solutions to provide full-service, tailored recruitment solutions customised to each client’s unique needs.

Reply to this email if you’re looking to hire new talent!

5. Take2

Provides second chances to justice-impacted individuals through tech training and job opportunities. They are on a mission to give everyone a second chance.

Follow their LinkedIn page to find out how you can get involved

Want your Startup featured in a future newsletter edition? Fill out this form now

Events to watch out for

My favourite events across the country, with a couple of cheeky discounts to help you get there:

31 July- 2 August - Forward Fest - Sunshine Coast

Silicon Coast proudly presents FORWARD FEST, a premier business festival aimed at elevating thought leadership, fostering growth, and addressing critical issues to ensure the safety and prosperity of the thriving Sunshine Coast ecosystem.

Learn more and grab your tickets

8 August - Victorian Startup Gala - Melbourne

The highly anticipated Victorian Startup Gala is back for another year, and you’re invited to join the celebration! This premium event, hosted by LaunchVic, shines a spotlight on the local startup sector and its $103 billion contribution to the state’s economy.

Buy your tickets to this incredible event now

27-29 August Finance Magnates Summit - Sydney

The Finance Magnates Pacific Summit is the premier event for the retail investing industry and fintech community at large.

The FMPS:24 brings together local and global expertise, providing a dynamic platform to connect, learn, and build valuable relationships. After 12 years and dozens of events worldwide the Summit finally comes to the land down under, to celebrate and foster growth across the Asia Pacific region.

Grab your ticket and join me for the first Australian edition of this global event

29-30 August - SomethingTech - Brisbane

The Showcase of Emerging Technology and its Journey to the World as part of Australia's Something Fest! Featuring Tech Talks, Founder and Entrepreneur Journeys, Networking Lunches, Office Hours (Rendezvous Hours), Tech Tradeshows, Australian and International Guest Speakers, Networking, RiverRival + more!

Join me at Brisbane’s flagship Innovation event 

26 September - HEXPO 2024 - Melbourne

Melbourne’s premier entrepreneur conference of the year, designed to ignite and invigorate the motivation of attendees, unlocking the untapped potential within.

Inspired by the Olympic Games, 350 emerging leaders and innovators from across Australia will be treated to a medal-worthy lineup of sessions, workshops, and keynotes designed to elevate their game.

For more information and tickets visit

October 14-20 - SXSW Sydney - Sydney

Create connections across Tech, Screen, Music, Games and Culture

Grab your tickets now to the second edition of SXSW outside of Austin and get a 10% discount on me! 

Want your event featured then tell us about it here

Get involved

Some of the opportunities currently open in the Australian ecosystem!

She Loves Tech x UN Women Climate Tech Entrepreneurship Accelerator

Aimed at women-led or women-impact startups in the ASEAN region. The comprehensive nine-month programme is designed to support women entrepreneurs harnessing technology to address climate change, enabling the startups to become high-growth, high-impact enterprises that are investor- and market-ready. 

Learn more and apply for the program here

SXSW Sydney Startup Village 

The Startup village at SXSW Sydney is a curated collection of forward-thinking businesses in the technology sector across the APAC region. It’s your chance to showcase your Startup to an audience of thousands and network with potential customers and investors.

Access the expression of interest form here

Let us know about the opportunities that you’re working on here so we can share the love

If you liked this newsletter then follow me on LinkedIn for more content like this

And if there’s something you’d like to see more of then DM me and let me know

See you on the other side Dickie