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The ten most popular stories about startups and innovation in 2016

What a year we’ve had for startups, entrepreneurs and innovation in Australia. Founders around the country, even as young as eight, put their startup hats on and brought bold new ideas Down Under—and to the world. In 2016, StartupSmart brought you more than 2000 stories on startups and innovation. We celebrated the wins, discussed heart-breaking fails and […]
Dinushi Dias
Dinushi Dias

What a year we’ve had for startups, entrepreneurs and innovation in Australia. Founders around the country, even as young as eight, put their startup hats on and brought bold new ideas Down Under—and to the world.

In 2016, StartupSmart brought you more than 2000 stories on startups and innovation.

We celebrated the wins, discussed heart-breaking fails and witnessed the rise of more founders with purpose.

Let’s count down the most read startup stories from 2016 starting from number 10.

10. Canberra entrepreneur scores $600,000 on Shark Tank: Three things he learnt from swimming with the sharks

A Canberra entrepreneur scored the first investment on the new season of Shark Tank, netting $600,000 from three of the esteemed judges.

Read the full story. 

9. How this Sydney startup raised more than $2.5 million before even launching

When the team behind a Sydney startup first approached investors, their concept for a new social network was still only on paper.

Read the full story. 

8. Why a Sydney entrepreneur said no to a $200,000 deal on Shark Tank

An Aussie founder who rejected a $200,000 offer on Shark Tank says he doesn’t regret the decision for a second—and says a lot of important details were cut out from the show.

Read the full story.

7. The top 50 Australian and New Zealand startups revealed

The top 50 Australian and New Zealand “leading-edge” tech companies were revealed in a new report aiming to showcase the best local startups.

Read the full story. 

6. Nine female entrepreneurs to watch this year

According to startup advisor and investor Nicole Williamson, 2016 was set to be the year of female entrepreneurs in Australia.

Read the full story.

5. Three Australian startups listed as being among the most disruptive in the world

Three Australian startups have been recognised as some of the most disruptive companies in the world with the potential to “influence, change or create new global markets”.

Read the full story. 

4. New $14 million co-working space set to open in Melbourne

A new socially conscious co-working space spanning four levels is set to bring 550 jobs to Melbourne’s west.

Read the full story.

3. How a Sydney entrepreneur partnered with Uber against the odds

When entrepreneur Chris King walked into Uber’s Sydney office in July last year with an idea, the $US62 billion startup giant was unsurprisingly sceptical.

Read the full story.

2. Startup Victoria appoints Georgia Beattie as its new CEO after a “highly competitive” four-month search

Startup Victoria appointed its new chief executive after a four-month long search, with Lupe and Beattie Wines co-founder Georgia Beattie taking the reins with an aim to make Melbourne the leading tech destination in the Asia-Pacific.

Read the full story. 

And the most read startup story of the year is …

1. Top five government grants for startups

The government support offered to startups across Australia is the envy of many entrepreneurs around the world, but these grants can be a tough nut to crack.

Read the full story. 

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