The Venture Codex

Led · Series A · Sep 2025

Founded in 2018 out of Swinburne University, H3D has built an automated CAD and 3D-printing platform that rapidly designs and produces custom-fit healthcare products, initially focusing on the hearing market with items like hearing aids, noise protection and custom earphones. Its proprietary software combines machine learning, advanced 3D algorithms and real-time cloud processing to let labs batch-process hundreds of complex jobs in minutes, replacing labor-intensive workflows that can take technicians up to 30 minutes per case. The company has also developed a smartphone-based 3D scanning solution that captures accurate ear scans using computer vision, AI and AR, eliminating the need for traditional ear impressions. With offices in Australia, Denmark and Ireland, H3D is beginning to extend its technology to dental labs worldwide, aiming to alleviate technician shortages and quality inconsistencies in that sector. Management positions the platform as a cornerstone for the future of AI-driven digital manufacturing in healthcare. The startup’s early backers include Swinburne University and Starfish Ventures, and it has generated meaningful commercial traction in the global hearing market. The recent capital injection will fund global dental-market expansion and the commercial roll-out of its mobile scanning product.

Participated · Seed · Nov 2024

Earthodic develops Biobarc™, a water-resistant, repulpable and recyclable coating for paper packaging that reintegrates lignin, a pulp-and-paper byproduct, into paperboard barrier applications. Its coatings are certified 100% biobased carbon and are designed as a drop-in solution for existing coating infrastructure to replace wax and petroleum-based films. The company is pursuing third-party certifications for industrial compostability to expand end-of-life pathways. Earthodic sells Biobarc™ into non-food contact packaging at scale and is deepening R&D partnerships with global paper-packaging leaders. Established in 2022, Earthodic maintains an R&D hub in Queensland and has operations across Australia and the USA. Earthodic develops Paperbarc, a bio-based waterproof coating that gives paper and packaging water resistance while remaining strong and recyclable. Paperbarc is positioned as a potential replacement for wax or plastic-coated packaging and is suited to bulk and secondary packaging in agricultural and food supply chains, including seafood and fruit and vegetables. The company completed a commercial-scale manufacture run in the US and has earned 100% USDA Biobased Product Label certification and eligibility to participate in the USDA BioPreferred Program. Co-founders Albert Tietz, Fiona Donaghey, Anthony Musumeci and Melissa Mail launched the materials science startup last year after collaborating on earlier projects. Earthodic plans to use funds to scale up production, ramp up sales and marketing, and expand its intellectual property portfolio. The startup is based in Brisbane, Queensland.

Led · Equity · Dec 2022

Additive Assurance, spun out of Monash University in 2019, develops AMiRIS, a solution for quality assurance of 3D-printed metal parts that detects and allows correction of anomalies during manufacture. The company targets aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing customers and already works with leading global customers to enable use of 3D-printed parts in serial production. The startup plans to expand offshore and grow its international business development presence. Raised capital will support the establishment of an Additive Manufacturing quality assurance centre of excellence at its Melbourne headquarters. Funds will also be used to expand R&D and strengthen the company’s technological advantage and market momentum.

Participated · Series B · Sep 2022

Liquid Instruments develops software-defined test and measurement instrumentation that combines high-performance hardware with intelligent software to enable reconfigurable, customizable measurement solutions. Its platform consolidates multiple traditional instruments into a single system that users can configure and deploy, shortening development timelines from months to minutes according to the company. The company serves thousands of users worldwide, including top technology companies, research institutes, quantum startups, and defense primes. Liquid Instruments announced a $50 million Series C to accelerate product development, scale its AI-powered platform, and expand sales in aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets. As part of the Series C, Keysight Technologies will also enter a commercial arrangement with Liquid Instruments to jointly advance AI-driven instrumentation. The announcement did not disclose a valuation or detailed prior funding history.

Participated · Seed · Jul 2021

Visionary Machines develops 3D spatial sensing technology using camera arrays that enable machines to see, navigate, measure distance and perceive objects in full-colour high-fidelity 4D. Founded in 2019 by Dr Rhys Newman, Dr Samson Lee and Gary Aitchison, the company is headquartered in Sydney and also has offices in Oxford and Silicon Valley. The startup raised A$7.5 million in a seed round led by Folklore Ventures, with co-investment from Our Innovation Fund and reinvestment by existing backer Significant Capital Ventures, plus Thorney Investment Group and IQT International Australia. Folklore partner Hannah Field will join the company's board and Silicon Valley-based Amir Mashkoori has been appointed CEO to drive the go-to-market strategy. The funding will be used to accelerate development of its machine-vision technology and build out the team to execute on autonomous navigation and safety use cases. The company aims to play a leading role in autonomous vehicles and the broader machine vision market, which the article cites as expected to be worth US$21 billion by 2028.