The startup scene in Australia

Canberra is home to the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN), which says it connects and accelerates the broader Canberra-region innovation ecosystem. CBRIN began in November 2014 through a collaboration between Canberra education and research institutions and the Territory Government. [1][2]

CBRIN reported more than 250 events across its ecosystem in 2025. It also reported that companies in its tracked local set raised more than A$200 million in FY2024/25; this tracked-company figure is not a census of all local funding. [3][4]

Examples of Canberra-linked companies include Liquid Instruments, which ANU says was founded on research developed at ANU and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. ANU reported that the company secured a US$70 million Series C co-led by Keysight Technologies and Australia's National Reconstruction Fund Corporation in April 2026, and said the company chose to keep its headquarters in Canberra. [5][6][7]

ABC traced GymAware's origins to two Australian Institute of Sport technicians building the business in a Canberra garage in 2002, and reported Manchester United, the Boston Red Sox, and the Golden State Warriors as examples of its customers. [8][9]

The ACT Government launched ACTivate Capital on November 3, 2025, with A$23 million committed at launch and a stated focus on Canberra-based early-growth companies. These are historical launch details and do not establish current capital availability or whether the fund is accepting proposals. [10][11]