ESOP reforms need to be more founder friendly; Product Hunt for Australian founders; Freelancer scoops up online marketplace DoNanza

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Dear StartupSmart reader, The federal government’s changes to the taxation of employee share schemes are not “founder friendly” despite being a step in the right direction, according to an Australian entrepreneur who has been consulting with policymakers. Today is the last day to get your entries in for the 2015 StartupSmart Awards. It’ll take just 10 minutes to apply and could win your startup some great prizes and exposure. Enter now! The internet and world media have erupted over the growing scandal of Australian mobile app entrepreneur and social media presence Belle Gibson. Two Brisbane university students are developing a mobile strategy game to help inform people about the effect climate change can have on their city. Product Hoist, a site inspired by Y Combinator graduate Product Hunt,has launched to promote and support Australian startups. Facebook in hot water for privacy. Freelancer has acquired the assets of freelance job marketplace and aggregator DoNanza for an undisclosed sum. Travelling in Sydney may get easier with the launch of a new transport app that combines data from a number of modes of transportation. Apple’s ability to mesh technology with beautiful design will be put to the test when it finally releases the much-anticipated Apple Watch. Kye White, Editor Employee share scheme reform needs to be more “founder friendly” by Broede Carmody The federal government’s changes to the taxation of employee share schemes are not “founder friendly” despite being a step in the right direction, according to an Australian entrepreneur who has been consulting with policymakers. VIEW ALL NEWS

Product Hunt or Product Hoist? Australian founders to see double by Broede Carmody An Australian startup directly inspired by Y Combinator graduate Product Hunt is hoping to ride off the back of the existing platform’s success – even going as far as having almost the same name. Freelancer makes its 14th acquisition, scooping up online marketplace DoNanza by Eloise Keating Freelancer has acquired the assets of freelance job marketplace and aggregator DoNanza for an undisclosed sum. Perhaps the only way to make money on a mobile app is to say you have brain cancer by David Glance The internet and world media have erupted over the growing scandal of Australian mobile app entrepreneur and social media presence Belle Gibson. Brisbane students to teach people about climate change through mobile game  by Broede Carmody Two Brisbane university students are developing a mobile strategy game to help inform people about the effect climate change can have on their city.

THE NEWS WRAP: Uber rival Lyft now valued at $US2.5 billion after $US530 million funding round by Kye White Ride-sharing service Lyft has raised $US530 million ($A688m) in a Series A funding round. READ MORE Technology and fashion converge in the Apple Watch by Amy Antonio, David Tuffley and Neil Martin Apple’s ability to mesh technology with beautiful design will be put to the test when it finally releases the much-anticipated Apple Watch. READ MORE Facebook in hot water for privacy by Vanessa Emilio An EU task force comprised of data protection authorities was formed in February 2015 to look into Facebook’s new privacy policy. There is doubt about its legality. READ MORE Transport app TripGo promises door-to-door multi-modal travel made easy  by Eisha Gupta Travelling in Sydney may get easier with the launch of a new transport app that combines data from a number of modes of transportation. READ MORE