TechInvest

18/02/2025

Bailador Technology Investments (ASX: BTI) has backed the AI-powered property investment platform PropHero with a $12.5 million stake, leading a $25 million Series A raise that signals serious ambitions for the fast-growing PropTech firm.

In a world where buying an investment property often involves drowning in spreadsheets, real estate agents, and conflicting advice from wellmeaning reIn a world where buying an investment property often involves drowning in spreadsheets, real estate agents, and conflicting advice from well-meaning relatives, PropHero aims to cut through the noise with artificial intelligence. And with a revenue growth rate north of 200% per year, investors seem to think it’s on to something.

Founded in 2021, PropHero is an AI-enabled platform that helps individuals find, buy, and manage investment properties—all without leaving their couch. By crunching data from over 100 sources, the platform delivers tailored property recommendations for a fixed fee, removing the usual opacity (and commission-driven bias) of traditional real estate advisory.

PropHero’s digital ecosystem extends beyond just finding the right property. The platform connects investors with a curated network of mortgage brokers, conveyancers, property managers, and renovation specialists—essentially a one-stop shop for buy-and-hold investors who don’t have the time (or patience) to wrangle the moving parts themselves.

Since its launch, the company has served over 2,000 customers across Australia, Spain, Indonesia, and Ireland, and has already racked up a run rate revenue exceeding $35 million. Not bad for a start-up barely out of its training wheels.

Bailador’s investment—alongside a star-studded roster of institutional backers including Fifth Wall, Samaipata, Opera Tech Ventures, AfterWork Ventures, and Jelix Ventures—is a bet on PropHero’s ability to scale globally.

Bailador co-founder and managing partner David Kirk sees it as a rare opportunity in a vast but outdated asset class.

"Property is a huge global asset class that has been underserved by digital transaction solutions. PropHero provides a world-leading solution for investors, demonstrated by very high growth, word-of-mouth customer acquisition, and a high proportion of customers returning to purchase multiple properties," Kirk said.

Bailador invests $12.5M in AI-driven PropHero, aiming to transform global property investment with cutting-edge technology and rapid growth.

17/02/2025

Australian reproductive biotech firm Memphasys Limited (ASX: MEM) is setting its sights on Brazil’s rapidly expanding in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) sector, engaging with leading andrology clinic Laboratorio Androscience to evaluate its Felix™ System. The move comes as Brazil’s IVF market is projected to grow to US$413.6 million by 2032, driven by increasing demand for assisted reproductive technology (ART).

A clinical trial of the Felix™ System has already been completed, with results expected to be released in the coming month. The company has also cited numerous scientific papers supporting Felix™’s positive capabilities, reinforcing confidence in its effectiveness. Memphasys managing director David Ali said the growing body of research confirms the system’s potential to transform s***m preparation in IVF.

“Felix™ has undergone extensive testing, and the evidence continues to mount in favour of its ability to deliver superior s***m selection,” Ali said. “We are now focused on commercialising this breakthrough technology, and Brazil presents a compelling opportunity.”

The company has now supplied Laboratorio Androscience with a Felix™ console and 20 cartridges for an initial three-month evaluation period. Professor Jorge Hallak, one of Brazil’s leading andrologists, will oversee the trial, which will benchmark Felix™ against existing s***m selection methods. The study will focus on men with poor semen quality, a key factor in male infertility.

“Male infertility remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in Latin America,” Hallak said. “While some conditions can be managed medically, many cases require high-precision s***m selection to improve reproductive outcomes. The Felix™ System has the potential to make a real difference in this space.”

Pending positive results from the evaluation, Memphasys hopes to negotiate a licensing agreement for Brazil, allowing for commercial distribution of Felix™ across the country. Investor interest in the technology is already building, with sophisticated investors associated with Laboratorio Androscience conducting due diligence. Although no formal proposals have been made, Ali remains optimistic about the potential for local investment to support the company’s expansion.

Memphasys partners with Laboratorio Androscience to bring its innovative Felix™ System to Brazil's expanding IVF market, aiming to enhance s***m selection and improve fertility outcomes.

17/02/2025

Memphasys is expanding into Brazil! Partnering with Laboratorio Androscience, we’re launching clinical testing of the Felix™ System to enhance s***m quality in IVF treatments. With Brazil’s IVF market set to hit $413.6M by 2032, this is a huge step forward!

14/02/2025

Telix's Illuccix® secures UK approval! Advancing prostate cancer diagnostics. Read more: https://hubs.li/Q036Jq6j0 "

Telix's Illuccix approved in the United Kingdom

13/02/2025

Australian medicinal cannabis producer Little Green Pharma (ASX: LGP) continues to see strong growth from its European expansion, with CEO Paul Long delivering a December quarter update that showed revenue reaching $9.5 million. While slightly down on the previous quarter, revenue for the financial year to date has already surpassed the company’s full-year result for 2024.

Momentum is particularly strong in Germany and the UK, where LGP has secured $6 million in binding purchase orders for the next two quarters. The company’s interest in Europe dates back to 2018, but expansion accelerated in 2021 with the acquisition of LGP Denmark, which has now become a critical supply hub.

Germany’s medicinal cannabis market has seen a significant step-change in demand following regulatory reforms in mid-2024. In the September quarter alone, 20,000 kilograms of medicinal cannabis was imported into the country—triple the volume of the previous quarter.

LGP is capitalising on this shift, generating $1 million in German sales in December alone. With its Danish facility located just two hours from the German border, the company is well placed to meet this rising demand.

Paul Long Paul Long said the decision to acquire the facility in 2021 for CA$20 million—developed for CA$120 million by its previous owner—has positioned LGP as one of the most competitive suppliers in the region.

“When we made the acquisition, some people thought we were biting off more than we could chew. But we understood the value. Today, the site is producing at a competitive cost per gram, it’s GMP-certified, and it’s strategically placed to service the biggest medicinal cannabis market in Europe. The validation keeps coming.”

Little Green Pharma accelerates European growth, securing $6M in purchase orders, expanding production, and solidifying its market position in Germany, the UK, France, and Spain.

12/02/2025

In a geopolitical landscape where supply chains are weaponised, MTM Critical Metals (ASX: MTM) has delivered a game-changing breakthrough in recovering gallium (Ga) and germanium (Ge)—two critical minerals at the heart of the escalating U.S.-China trade war.

Utilising its proprietary Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology, MTM has successfully extracted ~90% of gallium and ~80% of germanium from semiconductor waste, a feat long considered commercially unviable. The announcement couldn’t come at a better time, as China’s latest export bans send Western economies scrambling for alternative sources.

China, which controls over 95% of global gallium production and 70% of germanium output, has officially banned exports of these metals to the U.S., marking a sharp escalation in its economic standoff with the Trump administration. The move is part of a tit-for-tat trade war, triggered by Washington’s restrictions on advanced semiconductor technologies.

This geopolitical chess match has put Western industries—especially semiconductors, defence, and renewable energy—on high alert. Gallium is essential for next-generation microchips, 5G technology, and military-grade radar systems, and without a stable supply, manufacturers face serious production bottlenecks.

Chairman of the U.S. Congressional Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, John Moolenaar, summed up the urgency:

“We cannot allow our supply chains to be at risk like this… The Select Committee will continue to work on ambitious legislative solutions that secure critical minerals for our economy and national security.”

With Chinese gallium and germanium exports to the U.S. having already collapsed to near zero in 2024, companies are now scrambling to secure domestic or alternative sources—and MTM’s breakthrough puts it in prime position to capitalise.

MTM’s FJH technology offers a faster, more efficient, and environmentally friendly way to extract gallium and germanium from waste streams without the use of harsh acids. Traditional methods, including acid leaching and smelting, suffer from low selectivity, often extracting multiple metals in an unusable mix.

MTM Critical Metals' breakthrough in gallium and germanium recovery offers a timely solution amid China's export bans, positioning the company as a key player in securing Western supply chains.

11/02/2025

In a pivotal step towards commercialisation, Memphasys (ASX: MEM) has announced the completion of the Last Patient Last Visit (LPLV) in its clinical trial for the Felix™ System, an advanced s***m selection technology designed to improve outcomes in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures.

With all required patient visits and pregnancy outcomes now finalised, the company is moving swiftly towards data lock, expected within the next two weeks. This marks a crucial transition from data collection to analysis, setting the stage for the release of preliminary trial results in early March 2025.

Memphasys' immediate focus is on data clean-up and verification—a meticulous process ensuring accuracy before statistical analysis begins. Given the high stakes in ART technologies, this step is essential for regulatory approvals and commercial adoption.

Dr David Ali, Managing Director & CEO of Memphasys, emphasised the importance of this phase:

“With all patient data now collected, our team is focused on ensuring every data point is verified and ready for statistical analysis. It’s a meticulous process, but a necessary one as we prepare for regulatory approvals and commercial discussions. We look forward to sharing the trial results very soon.”

Memphasys completes key clinical trial for the Felix™ System, moving closer to commercialisation and regulatory approvals in Europe, Australia, and India.

07/02/2025

PARKD Limited (ASX: PKD) has inked a five-year exclusive licensing agreement with Fielders Steel Roofing, a division of BlueScope Steel (ASX: BSL), marking a major milestone in its commercialisation strategy.

The deal grants Fielders the exclusive right to manufacture, market, distribute, and sell PARKD’s Metal Deck Support Bracket (MDSB®) and Metal Deck Support System (MDSS®) in Australia. Fielders has also secured the first right to negotiate licensing agreements for key international markets, including the United States, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, India, and Canada​.

The signing of this agreement follows two years of extensive R&D, testing, and validation by PARKD’s technical team. A critical component of this process was the completion of two proof-of-concept projects—the Quattro Automotive Myaree project and the John Hughes Forward Street project—which demonstrated the strength, safety, and efficiency gains of PARKD’s system​.

With over 6,000 MDSB® units and 7,000m² of Fielders’ SlimDek 210® product used in these projects, the results exceeded Fielders’ performance expectations, paving the way for the final agreement​.

PARKD’s Managing Director, Peter McUtchen, called the agreement a breakthrough moment for the company:

“PARKD recognised the potential our simple yet ingenious connection system could bring to the broader construction market. This small yet critical invention is the key to unlocking the sector’s aspirations for improved safety, productivity, cost efficiencies, and sustainability.”

PARKD signs a five-year exclusive licensing deal with Fielders, expanding market reach for their Metal Deck Support System in Australia and potentially internationally.

06/02/2025

Wrkr Limited (ASX: WRK) has posted a steady but uneventful second quarter for FY25, with financial metrics largely flat. However, the bigger picture tells a more compelling story, as the company continues laying the foundation for a period of accelerated revenue growth. With key client onboarding and regulatory tailwinds expected to drive major increases in transaction volumes, Wrkr’s short-term financials mask the progress being made in readiness for a transformational shift in its business.

For the quarter ending 31 December 2024, Wrkr reported cash receipts of $1.9 million, a marginal 1% decline on the prior corresponding period. Net operating cash outflows stood at $418,000, reflecting continued investment in platform development, staff expansion, and its growing international presence. The company ended the quarter with $7.2 million in cash, providing a financial runway of nearly seven quarters at current spending levels. While the numbers may not show immediate returns, Wrkr’s management remains confident that the investments made now will translate into meaningful revenue growth over the next 18 months​.

CEO Trent Lund reinforced Wrkr’s focus on ex*****on, stating:

“The groundwork we are laying today will translate into a significant ramp-up in revenue as key superannuation clients migrate to our platform. Our focus remains on ex*****on and ensuring we are fully prepared for the surge in transactions as regulatory changes take effect.”

A recent research note from RaaS Research highlighted that Wrkr’s current share price of $0.052 does not fully reflect its medium-term growth potential. The firm maintained its DCF valuation at $0.078 per share, implying a potential upside of 50%. The valuation is underpinned by assumptions around MUFG client migration, Payday Super, and an eventual increase in direct client acquisitions. Analysts noted that Wrkr’s ability to capitalise on these opportunities could significantly alter its revenue trajectory, with projections of $30 million in revenue by FY27, up from $9.6 million in FY24​.

Wrkr Limited prepares for significant growth with strategic investments and regulatory changes set to drive increased transaction volumes and revenue in the next 18 months.

05/02/2025

India’s latest policy move to eliminate customs duties on critical mineral scrap and waste could have far-reaching implications - not just for the country’s manufacturing sector, but for companies like MTM Critical Metals (ASX: MTM), which is pioneering Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology for efficient critical mineral recovery.

With China’s recent export ban on gallium, germanium and antimony causing major supply chain disruptions, India’s shift towards domestic recycling and alternative sourcing aligns perfectly with MTM’s innovative approach to extracting valuable metals from industrial waste and scrap.

During her February 2025 budget speech, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the removal of customs duties on a range of critical mineral waste and scrap, including:

- Antimony, cobalt, tungsten, and copper scrap
- Lithium-ion battery waste
- Lead, zinc, and cobalt powder

Additionally, India will launch a policy for recovering critical minerals from mining tailings and by-products - a move that signals a broader commitment to resource efficiency and supply security.

Given India’s reliance on imported critical minerals - many of which have become vulnerable due to geopolitical tensions and China’s tightening grip on exports - this policy shift is expected to spur demand for advanced recycling technologies.

MTM Critical Metals has secured exclusive global rights to develop and commercialise Flash Joule Heating (FJH) in relation to materials other than graphene, which is patented by Rice University. The process, which rapidly heats materials using high-voltage currents, enables the efficient extraction of gallium, germanium, rare earths and other high-value metals from complex sources, including electronic waste, industrial residues and mining tailings.

The timing is significant. China’s recent export ban on gallium, germanium and antimony has rattled global supply chains, forcing manufacturers to seek alternative processing and recycling solutions. With India’s removal of import duties on critical mineral waste, there is now a strong incentive for Indian industry players to invest in next-generation recycling technologies - potentially opening doors for MTM’s FJH process to gain traction in the region.

India eliminates customs duties on critical mineral scrap, boosting MTM Critical Metals' recycling technology, Flash Joule Heating, amidst China's export bans on essential materials.

05/02/2025

After a tough year marked by delays and market softness, Fluence Corporation (ASX: FLC) has ended 2024 on a high note, setting the stage for a strong recovery in 2025. The company’s fourth-quarter revenue surged to US$21.2 million, more than doubling any other quarter during the year and delivering a positive EBITDA of US$1.0 million. While the full-year result was impacted by setbacks in its key Ivory Coast project and weaker demand in China, management is confident that the company is now back on track.

Fluence has issued FY 2025 revenue guidance of US$80–95 million, a significant jump from 2024’s US$51.5 million, with EBITDA forecast to turn positive at US$3–5 million. The turnaround comes as the company shifts away from lower-margin, capital-intensive projects and refocuses on its Smart Product Solutions (SPS) and recurring revenue streams—a move that is already paying dividends with improved profitability and a growing order book​.

Fluence’s final quarter of 2024 offered a much-needed boost after what had been a challenging year. The company’s US$21.2 million in revenue for the quarter was a clear sign of momentum building, particularly in its core segments. Gross margins also expanded to 30.1%, reflecting the benefits of its strategic shift towards high-margin business lines​.

New order wins have been steady, with US$9.5 million secured in Q4 alone, bringing total new orders for 2024 to US$50 million, an increase of 5.8% year-on-year (excluding the Ivory Coast Addendum project). The company’s backlog now stands at US$88 million, with US$58.1 million expected to be recognised in FY 2025, covering around two-thirds of its revenue target​.

CEO Tom Pokorsky, who has been leading Fluence’s turnaround strategy, believes the company is now well-positioned for sustainable growth.

“We have realigned our focus to higher-margin products and services, and we’re seeing the benefits of that shift. With the Ivory Coast project now moving forward and a strong order book in place, we expect 2025 to be a year of significant growth and improved profitability.”

Fluence Corporation rebounds in Q4 2024, setting the stage for strong growth and improved profitability in 2025 with strategic shifts and a solid order backlog.

05/02/2025

Audeara (ASX: AUA) has struck another high note with a US$917,000 (A$1.48 million) purchase order from Avedis Zildjian, one of the most revered names in the music industry​. This follow-up order builds on an initial A$2.1 million order in February 2024, marking a continued partnership that bridges cutting-edge hearing technology with world-class musical craftsmanship.

With this second order, Audeara's innovative AUA Technology moves deeper into the mass production phase, reinforcing its commercial viability and scalability in global markets​.

Audeara is renowned for its expertise in hearing technology, offering solutions that enhance sound clarity for users of all hearing abilities. Partnering with Zildjian, a company that has defined the sound of cymbals for centuries, underscores the increasing demand for hearing-friendly innovations in the music space.

Dr. James Fielding, CEO and Founder of Audeara, expressed confidence in the partnership’s potential:

“This follow-up purchase order validates the commercial application of Audeara’s healthy hearing technology when incorporated into market-leading products with global commercial partners. With the recent momentum in our order pipeline, Audeara is demonstrating the potential of our AUA Technology division to scale across multiple addressable market segments.”

Audeara partners with Zildjian in a $917,000 deal, enhancing hearing technology in music products to protect musicians' hearing and expand global market reach.