Australia

Research from behavioural finance experts Oxford Risk shows Aussie wealth managers are braced for compensation claims from clients over failing to understand risk suitability, and expect tougher regulation on the issue. The study with wealth managers, who collectively manage assets of about $232bn, found 58% believe there will be pressure on them over the next 5 years to compensate clients for not doing enough to understand client risk suitability.

Nearly three quarters of Australian accountants have struggled to hire ‘good quality people’ over the last year (70%) and just over half (57%) say they would recommend young people to enter the industry, according to the latest research released from online accounting software provider, Intuit QuickBooks. Further, over one quarter (26%) of accountants say they would discourage young people from pursuing a career in the profession at all.

80% of Australian small business owners feel “confident”, “optimistic” and “cautiously hopeful” about their company’s performance in 2023 despite the economic slowdown, according to new research released recently from the online accounting software provider Intuit QuickBooks.

KPMG Australia and Stone & Chalk are looking for top startups in Space Technology for the next cohort of the Future Technology Program – which combines the largest innovation community in Australia at Stone & Chalk with KPMG’s deep expertise and knowledge, to help startups introduce better tech, better innovation and better thinking into the economy. 

Global renewable energy storage innovator Gelion has acquired an IP portfolio of over 450 Lithium Sulfur and Silicon Anode (LiSiS) patents which, in combination with Gelion’s existing IP, may create the ability to develop the most advanced battery technology here in Australia. Lithium sulfur is seem as the next dominant battery tech, meaning the acquisition accelerates Gelion’s efforts to produce a battery with significantly higher gravimetric density (energy-to-weight ratio), greater safety, and lower costs. Gelion is acquiring the IP from multinational speciality chemicals and sustainable technologies and FTSE 250 company, Johnson Matthey.

When the Cygnett Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) hosted its second Indigenous Round between 11-19 February, the league took its storytelling to a new level with a series of player profiles produced in partnership with Adobe and creative agency Hopeful Monsters. In the pursuit to increase the representation of its Indigenous athletes and inspire the next generation of basketball players, the Women's National Basketball League rolled out high-quality interview content with three First Nations players; Abby Cubillo (Adelaide Lightning), Shaneice Swain (UC Canberra Capitals) and Nes’aya Parker-Williams (Townsville Fire).  

LaunchVic, Victoria’s startup agency, has found the State’s startup ecosystem is maturing rapidly, with growth outpacing some of the most renowned entrepreneurial cities like Tel Aviv, Toronto and Amsterdam. The 2022 Startup Ecosystem Mapping Report, the fourth report of its kind developed by LaunchVic in partnership with dandolopartners, found 1,300 new firms since the previous report in 2020, showing a strong pipeline of new ventures in the state. 

Meta has partnered with Code Like a Girl and T&DA to launch the Meta Immersive Learning Academy in Australia. A Meta Spark training module that will be available for those who prefer to learn at their own pace. Meta will offer free, guided training in augmented reality (AR) to over 200 women and gender diverse people so they have the confidence, tools and support they need to enter the world of immersive tech and explore careers in AR and virtual reality. 

Sapien Ventures, a pan Asia Pacific, technology venture capital firm, is calling on the Federal Government to urgently reconsider plans to alter Australia’s Significant Investor Visa (SIV) program. The Albanese Government has signalled intentions to review the program, with the Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neal saying it “isn’t adding value to the country.”

Australian end-to-end online used car platform, Carma, has announced the appointment of Emily Meier-Murren as Director of Brand Marketing. Taking up the newly created role from 13 March 2023, Emily’s remit is to drive Carma’s brand strategy, including overseeing marketing and advertising operations, partnerships and sponsorships, public relations and social content.