Startup Daily

10/09/2026

AI can get you remarkably far.

For Ian Gardiner, it got him to around 95–97% of his potential.

But he wanted the final few per cent - and found that AI was missing something important: human accountability.

His human coach challenges him, gives him s**t, laughs with him and understands the nerves and fear that come with performance.

The lesson isn’t that AI coaching doesn’t work.

It’s that some things still benefit from being human.

Watch the full conversation: https://youtu.be/87m33W-u97s

Startup 360 is supported by Deel. Hire, manage and pay anyone, anywhere. Head to deel.com/360

10/09/2026

Apple’s $3499 iPhone Duo folds open like a passport and screams niche luxury, but is the pricey productivity flex worth it?

A 256GB iPhone Duo, available from October 23, with pre-orders opening a week earlier, will set you back $3499.

09/09/2026

NSW bets $150m on uni spinouts - if Labor wins the 2027 election.

The announcement of a new fund, launching in July 2027, comes as the NSW Labor government seeks a 2nd term, with an election six months away.

09/09/2026

Metacognition AI grabs $10M to build a “Windows for robots” that lets workers train machines by voice.

The $10 million in funding for Metacognition AI came from CSIRO-backed deep tech VC Main Sequence.

09/09/2026

Labor says algorithm choice means user power, not censorship, as critics cry overreach.

Labor unveiled its digital duty of care reforms to enforce minimum standards on social media, with users choosing what they see in their feed.

09/09/2026

Adam Spencer sat down with Matt Jones to talk AI on the latest edition of his podcast, StoryWork.

Math nerd/commentator Adam Spencer sat down with Matt Jones on his latest StoryWork podcast to talk AI and the importance of keeping "spiky".

09/09/2026

Women in Digital's Holly Hunt explores the reality behind flexible work policies and career trade-offs.

Flexible work is becoming the norm, but for many women, the career trade-offs remain. Women in Digital CEO Holly Hunt explores the reality.

09/09/2026

FndrOS turns founder chaos into one AI command deck for planning, research, fundraising and milestones.

Geoff Gourley launched an AI platform helping founders organise the work to build a business, from testing ideas to preparing for investment.

09/09/2026

PlayIndies wants to break down the barriers to discovery - and make it tougher for key scams to slip through.

An international startup, with roots in Western Australia, is taking on one of indie gaming’s greatest challenges.

09/09/2026

Ian Gardiner spent 12 years building his business before realising it might be time to move on.

He says his founder forum helped him see there was a world beyond the company.

Sometimes the right people don’t just support you - they challenge you.

Catch the convo on Startup 360: https://youtu.be/cMB1LECINjM

Startup 360 is supported by Deel. Hire, manage and pay anyone, anywhere. Head to deel.com/360