‘Owls Eat Rats’ Wins $50,000 at Taronga Zoo Accelerator with Low-Tech Conservation Solution
In a win for simple, nature-based innovation, a startup called Owls Eat Rats has taken out the $50,000 top prize at Taronga Zoo’s Hatch Accelerator program. The startup, founded by Sunshine Coast conservationist Alastair Duncan, impressed judges with its straightforward yet effective mission: reintroducing barn owls to farmlands as a natural form of rodent control.
At a time when most conservation startups lean heavily on technology, Owls Eat Rats takes an analogue approach. The project installs nest boxes and creates habitats to encourage barn owls to settle and breed on farms. Once established, the owls serve as efficient, chemical-free pest managers—each capable of hunting hundreds of rodents per month.
The initiative addresses two critical problems at once: rising rodent resistance to poisons and the harmful ecological impact of rodenticides on native wildlife. Duncan’s solution offers a sustainable, scalable alternative that restores natural predator-prey relationships.
Judges at the Hatch program praised the project for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and potential for large-scale impact. The $50,000 prize will support further installations and expand the program into new farming regions across Queensland and New South Wales.
Farmers involved in early trials have already reported decreased rodent activity and growing interest in the nest box installations. Duncan noted that the funding would not only help build more owl habitats but also support community education around wildlife-friendly farming practices.
Taronga Conservation Society CEO Cameron Kerr hailed the startup as a perfect example of practical conservation. “It’s low-tech, low-cost, and high-impact,” he said. “That’s exactly the kind of innovation we want to support.”
As synthetic solutions struggle with diminishing returns, Owls Eat Rats proves that sometimes the most powerful answers come from working with nature, not against it.
Entries for the 2025 Startup Daily Best in Tech Awards Extended Until July 6
Founders and innovators across Australia and New Zealand have received a welcome extension to submit their entries for the 2025 Startup Daily Best in Tech Awards. The deadline has been pushed back to Sunday, July 6, giving applicants two extra days to finalize their submissions.
The annual awards program recognizes excellence and innovation across the startup and tech ecosystem, highlighting individuals and companies making significant impact in fields such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, fintech, healthtech, and more. With categories like Startup of the Year, Tech Scale-up, AI Gamechanger, and the GSD (Get Sh*t Done) Award, the event attracts entries from both early-stage ventures and high-growth companies.
Organizers say the extension aims to accommodate the surge of last-minute interest and give emerging startups a better chance to compete. The awards not only offer industry recognition but also serve as a valuable platform for networking, visibility, and future investment opportunities.
Once entries close on July 6, a panel of judges will begin evaluating applications. Four finalists from each category will be announced on August 11, with winners revealed during a gala ceremony on September 25 at Sydney’s Ivy Ballroom. The event is expected to draw key players from across the startup ecosystem, including investors, founders, corporate partners, and tech media.
Startups founded in Australia or New Zealand—or led by ANZ residents—are eligible to enter. The awards are open to a wide range of ventures, from scrappy early-stage startups to more established tech scale-ups.
With the extended deadline approaching quickly, startups are encouraged to put forward their most compelling stories of innovation, growth, and resilience. For many, this could be the moment that propels their brand onto the national stage.
Startup 360: How Founders Are Using AI to Go from Idea to $1M Revenue in Just Four Months
A new wave of tech founders is rewriting the startup playbook, using artificial intelligence, lean teams, and smart design to turn early ideas into high-revenue businesses—sometimes in under four months.
The trend, spotlighted in Startup Daily’s Startup 360 coverage, shows how AI-powered tools are allowing solo founders and micro-teams to launch and scale rapidly. These startups often begin with a simple prototype or landing page, validating demand before building a full product. With AI handling everything from code generation and customer support to content creation and marketing, product development cycles have shrunk dramatically.
Some startups are reaching $1 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) within months of launch—without venture capital or large teams. Founders are relying on plug-and-play AI solutions, open-source models, and viral distribution strategies to grow fast and stay lean.
At the other end of the spectrum, listed tech companies are also embracing AI to drive efficiency and scale. Executives are integrating automation into operations, using AI for decision support, and adopting lean startup tactics to test features before full rollout. The result is a more agile approach to innovation, even within public companies.
Design is another cornerstone of this movement. Startups succeeding in this space focus on emotional connection, intuitive UX, and human-centered design. Rather than simply adding AI for novelty, successful founders integrate it subtly—letting the tech enhance the experience while keeping users engaged through thoughtful, minimalist interfaces.
The convergence of AI, lean methodology, and great design is lowering the barrier to entry for tech entrepreneurship—and dramatically accelerating the path to profitability. As more founders embrace these tools and tactics, the startup landscape is being reshaped in real time, one agile launch at a time.
Matt Leibowitz-Backed Podcast ‘Equity Mates’ Sold to BetaShares in $8.5 Million Deal
In a major move within Australia’s financial media landscape, leading ETF provider BetaShares has acquired the popular investing podcast Equity Mates in a deal reportedly worth $8.5 million. The acquisition marks a significant step for BetaShares as it expands its footprint beyond financial products into investor education and community engagement.
Founded in 2017 by Bryce Leske and Alec Renehan, Equity Mates has grown from a passion project into a widely respected media brand, delivering multiple weekly shows and a newsletter to a loyal audience of nearly 800,000 monthly listeners. The podcast has become a trusted voice for millennial and Gen Z investors, offering accessible and engaging financial content.
The acquisition was also backed by tech entrepreneur and Stake founder Matt Leibowitz, who supported the podcast in its early growth stages. His involvement added credibility and industry clout to the venture, helping position Equity Mates as a bridge between traditional finance and digital-native audiences.
BetaShares has confirmed that the Equity Mates team will remain in place post-acquisition, continuing to run the platform independently and maintain its editorial voice. The goal is to scale the podcast’s impact while integrating it into BetaShares’ broader investor education initiatives.
The deal underscores a growing trend where financial institutions are investing in content-driven platforms to deepen their engagement with younger retail investors. For BetaShares, it provides a direct channel to a large, engaged audience that aligns with its mission of making investing more accessible.
The founders of Equity Mates have stated they are excited to continue growing the brand with the added resources and backing of a major financial player. With financial literacy and digital engagement on the rise, the partnership sets the stage for a new era of fintech-meets-media innovation.
Crypto Exchange Coinstash Raises $4.7 Million in Series A, Secures Funding in Fiat Currency
Australian cryptocurrency exchange Coinstash has announced the successful completion of its Series A funding round, raising $4.7 million in fiat currency. The Brisbane-based company plans to use the capital to expand its platform, accelerate user acquisition, and scale operations nationwide.
Founded in 2017, Coinstash has grown into one of Australia’s most trusted crypto exchanges, serving tens of thousands of users. The platform allows Australians to buy, sell, and manage over 1,000 cryptocurrencies with AUD, catering to both retail investors and high-net-worth individuals through features like OTC trading and SMSF support.
Unlike many crypto startups that seek investment in digital assets, Coinstash opted to raise funds in traditional fiat currency—highlighting its commitment to regulatory compliance and financial transparency. The decision also reflects a growing preference among institutional investors for stable, fiat-based funding structures.
The Series A round was backed by private investors, including a Brisbane-based family office. The fresh capital will be channeled into platform development, including enhanced trading tools, automation features, and greater security measures. The company also aims to double its headcount and increase its national marketing footprint through education-driven outreach campaigns.
Coinstash CEO Ting Wang said the investment marks a key milestone as the company enters a new growth phase. In addition to upgrading platform infrastructure, Coinstash will expand partnerships and continue building its brand presence across Australia’s fintech and crypto sectors.
The company is also targeting an increase in user adoption, with plans to onboard over 100,000 new investors over the next 12 months. With momentum building and a strong focus on innovation, Coinstash is positioning itself as a major player in the evolution of crypto investing in Australia.
