Startup Victoria CEO resigns; When should a startup protect its intellectual property?; Equitise launches in New Zealand

HOME | ADVERTISE | CONTACT US Dear StartupSmart reader, Equity crowdfunding platform Equitise launched in New Zealand on Friday, shortly after closing a $500,000 funding round. Startup Victoria chief executive Lars Lindstrom has resigned. Lindstrom is taking on the role of chief executive with ReadCloud, a startup he co-founded, which recently closed a Series A funding round. An Australian virtual reality pioneer has highlighted the business potential of immersive content as Samsung Gear VR headsets are set to be rolled out to selected customers aboard Qantas flights, ahead of an upcoming launch of the product. The Toowoomba startup community is planning to get its first coworking space. The federal government is looking at creating a free geocoded national address database. Everyone knows getting legal issues sorted can be expensive, but if you’re a startup your IP is likely to be your most valuable asset. Working out how, and when, to protect it can be difficult. What’s in Kogan’s pantry? Kogan takes on Coles and Woolies with an online grocery service. It’s no secret that companies including Apple, Google, Amazon, Uber, Airbnb and Ikea seem to pay less than their fair share of tax in Australia. Without US support, multinational tax crackdowns will fail. Bandaids on broadband – Has Turnbull got what it takes to fix the NBN? Kye White, Editor Equitise launches its crowdfunding platform in New Zealand by Kye White Equity crowdfunding platform Equitise launched in New Zealand on Friday, with one startup seeking to use the platform to raise $350,000. VIEW ALL NEWS What’s in Kogan’s pantry? Kogan takes on Coles and Woolies with online grocery service by Kirsten Robb Online retailer Kogan has continued its expansion away from its traditional consumer electronics base, revealing it will take on Coles and Woolworths in the supermarket wars. Australian virtual reality startup opportunities cleared for take-off ahead of Samsung launch by Andrew Sadauskas An Australian virtual reality pioneer has highlighted the business potential of immersive content as Samsung Gear VR headsets are set to be rolled out to selected customers aboard Qantas flights, ahead of an upcoming launch of the product. Federal government looks at creating a free geocoded national address database by Andrew Sadauskas The federal Department of Communications has issued a survey to industry and developers to gauge the interest in creating a geocoded national address platform that would be free for users.   When should a startup protect its intellectual property? by Lachlan McKnight Everyone knows getting legal issues sorted can be expensive, but if you’re a startup your IP is likely to be your most valuable asset. Working out how, and when, to protect it can be difficult. THE NEWS WRAP: Pirate Bay online after two-month hiatus by Broede Carmody A marketing startup based in Menlo Park has raised $1.2 million in funding led by PayPal and customer science company Dunnhumby. READ MORE Rethink routine – is there a better way to manage your workload? by Elance-oDesk The Van That Can has completed over 15,000 deliveries with just two directors and a freelancer ecosystem, embracing the new way SMEs are getting ahead READ MORE How long does it take for a web page to die? PC gone mad and the source of Tony Abbott’s woes: Best of the Web by Kye White In The New Yorker, Jill Lepore explores efforts to archive the internet. READ MORE Startup Victoria CEO Lars Lindstrom resigns by StartupSmart Lars Lindstrom leaves Startup Victoria to take on the role of CEO of ReadCloud. Lindstrom is chairman and co-founder of ReadCloud, which recently closed a Series A funding round. READ MORE Toowoomba startup community looks at getting its first coworking space by Andrew Sadauskas As the nation focuses on the outcome of the Queensland election, the Toowoomba startup community is looking forward to a big year ahead in 2015, with a number of events and a new coworking space on the agenda. READ MORE Without US support, multinational tax crackdowns will fail by  Roman Lanis and Ross McClure It’s no secret that companies including Apple, Google, Amazon, Uber, Airbnb and Ikea seem to pay less than their fair share of tax in Australia. READ MORE Bandaids on broadband – Has Turnbull got what it takes to fix the NBN? by Stephen King The rules around the NBN have moved rapidly over Christmas. READ MORE