Should Australian startups head to the US?; The biggest tech backdoor listing to date; Common mistakes to avoid in a partnership

HOME | ADVERTISE | CONTACT US Dear StartupSmart reader, Should you stay or should you go?  Does everyone have to head to the Valley? And if they do, what does that mean for the local startup system? We look at the big question many Australian startups face, and what that could mean for building a local scene here. Covata has raised $15 million through a backdoor listing on the Australian Securities Exchange on Monday morning. Ello, Swarm, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter – if you thought there was no room for any more social networks, think again. Melbourne-based startup Incogo – is a social media platform that wants to make online interactions more “powerful, purposeful and personal”.  Queensland-based ilab has chosen nine startups, from the biggest pool of applicants it has ever received, to take part in this summer’s Germinate accelerator program. Need to organise a group for a sports game? Then Got a Team hopes to help. Here are six of the most common mistakes to avoid when working within a partnership to set up and run a company. Why the issue of tech schools won’t go away (and why it shouldn’t): The history of technical education in Australia began well before federation. Each colony developed technical schools that grew out of the mechanics institutes. Bronwen Clune, Editor Should you stay or should you go? The big question for many Australian startups by Kye White Startup founders need to get out of Australia and see the standard set by entrepreneurs in successful tech hubs around the world, according to Startup Victoria’s Scott Handsaker, but that does not necessarily mean they should move there. VIEW ALL NEWS Covata scores $15 million through biggest ever backdoor ASX listing by Cara Waters Covata has raised $15 million through a backdoor listing on the Australian Securities Exchange this morning. Got a team? You’ll know pretty quickly with this app by Kye White Having worked at one of Australia’s most successful startups, 99designs, Got a Team founder James Mansfield gained the confidence to start his own. Are you ready for “emotional crowdsourcing”? This startup hopes so by Kye White Ello, Swarm, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter – if you thought there was no room for any more social networks, think again. Applicant numbers biggest ever as nine startups get the nod for ilab’s accelerator program  by Kye White Queensland-based ilab has chosen nine startups, from the biggest pool of applicants it has ever received, to take part in this summer’s Germinate accelerator program. THE NEWS WRAP: President Obama asks FCC to reclassify broadband as a utility in move to protect net neutrality  by Kye White US President Barack Obama has thrown his support behind net neutrality, urging the Federal Communications Commission to reclassify broadband as a utility. READ MORE Case study: How Westpac Group is using startup thinking to reshape its business Brought to you by Sensis In a bid to shrug off its corporate image, the organisation turned to the startup world for ideas on how to adopt a more agile and entrepreneurial attitude. READ MORE Six common mistakes that can be avoided in a business partnership by Monique Craig Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when working within a partnership to set up and run a company. READ MORE Why tech schools won't seem to go away by John Pardy The history of technical education in Australia began well before federation. Each colony developed technical schools that grew out of the mechanics institutes. READ MORE