News & Announcements

In the Media After Afterpay – time for change for local fintech industry
Aug 16, 2021
After Afterpay – time for change for local fintech industry

Australian fintech is enjoying a shining moment on the international stage with Square’s purchase of Afterpay. The deal is a huge positive for the whole fintech ecosystem, and an important recognition of the strength of Australian fintech.

In the Media Australian Fintech Regulation Has to Change
Aug 03, 2021
Australian Fintech Regulation Has to Change

Australia recently ranked 6th in the world in the 2021 Global Fintech Rankings, a testament to the creativity and entrepreneurship of the local industry. This success however, has come despite, rather than as a result of, Government support for tech generally and fintech in particular. If Australia is to reach its potential, there is much to be done.

In the Media ‘Biggest day in our history:’ Afterpay’s global breakout hailed
Aug 02, 2021
‘Biggest day in our history:’ Afterpay’s global breakout hailed

Afterpay’s rise from nothing to being the subject of the biggest merger and acquisition in Australian history will provide a big boost for the Australian Securities Exchange’s plans to become a global listed tech stock hub, and could turbocharge the country’s booming start-up scene, industry insiders say. Seed Space Partner Cathryn Lyall shares her view on the deal in The Australian Financial Review.

In the Media ‘It’s paltry’: Why Australia is years behind in fintech
Jun 21, 2021
‘It’s paltry’: Why Australia is years behind in fintech

It is difficult to get anything other than optimistic positivity when you talk to many players involved in the fast-growing local tech start-up scene. By nature they have to believe that risky endeavours to create big new companies from scratch are going to succeed, so are prone to seeing the opportunities rather than the roadblocks. But roadblocks do exist and Seed Space Advisor Cathryn Lyall is well placed, and more than willing to point them out.

In the Media The rise of bitcoin as an asset class: Are we losing trust in money?
May 18, 2021
The rise of bitcoin as an asset class: Are we losing trust in money?

Bitcoin was essentially created by those who didn’t believe in the established monetary system, they wanted to create an environment where monetary exchanges could take place outside of the established system by removing not only the third-party intermediaries but also replacing the traditional units of exchange.

In the Media In a bumper budget for small business and startups, here are eight policies that were missing
May 12, 2021
In a bumper budget for small business and startups, here are eight policies that were missing

Last night’s federal budget gave us a whole lot to cover, both in terms of small business and startup initiatives. But between the digital economy plan, tax relief for SMEs and measures to boost employment, there were a few things missing. Despite historically being an area in favour, and despite the ongoing Senate enquiry into fintech and regtech, financial technology barely warranted a mention in this year’s budget.

In the Media Let’s Talk – Time is money: how & where should business owners spend their time?
May 05, 2021
Let’s Talk – Time is money: how & where should business owners spend their time?

The classic phrase ‘time is money’ is one that heavily applies to those running businesses, where every minute has the potential to push a company forward or hold it back. As many will no doubt attest: it can be an arduous juggle.

In the Media The pros and cons of being a listed company on the ASX
Apr 19, 2021
The pros and cons of being a listed company on the ASX

To list or not to list? That’s seemingly the question of 2021 when it comes to the start-up tech sector. Some prefer to stay private for longer, thus retaining control of the shareholder register and saving on the significant time and cost often associated with the disclosure and compliance requirements of being a public company.

In the Media Why fintech is the backbone of e-commerce
Mar 01, 2021
Why fintech is the backbone of e-commerce

More Australians have sprung into the world of online shopping after coronavirus restrictions and store closures last year accelerated the uptake of e-commerce. There’s no doubt that the impacts of the pandemic accelerated demand in e-commerce. But while people are becoming more and more willing to shop online, the user experience for customers leaves much to be desired.

In the Media Why every startup needs a hustler, hacker and a hipster
Feb 16, 2021
Why every startup needs a hustler, hacker and a hipster

When assessing the suitability of an early-stage business for possible investment, the makeup of its founding team weighs heavily and is all-important. A founding team with the right mix of hustle, industry knowledge and swagger can be the “make or break” factor in determining long-term success.

In the Media Let’s Talk: What is the best social media platform for your business?
Feb 10, 2021
Let’s Talk: What is the best social media platform for your business?

In the business game, attention – specifically, the right attention – is king. By now, most of us know that social is a major marketing avenue for businesses – an incredibly valuable way to attract customers and partnerships, and to amplify the brand as a whole. But, oh boy, are there a lot of questions.

In the Media New mandate needed for Future Fund
Feb 05, 2021
New mandate needed for Future Fund

The federal government’s early-stage venture capital partnership was set up for the purpose of encouraging investment into our tech sector, yet Australia continues to lag behind other nations in terms of capital investment. Dirk Steller shares his views in The Australian on why a new mandate for Australia's Future fund could could help solve a major gap in fintech funding.

In the Media Digital identity the next frontier for FinTech innovation
Jan 11, 2021
Digital identity the next frontier for FinTech innovation

The growing prevalence of digital identities will have far-reaching consequences for the way we interact with our traditional banking and financial services institutions in shaping the contours of customer engagement. Seed Space Venture Capital founder and managing partner Dirk Steller shares his views on Stockhead. 

In the Media ‘Lagging the world’: Australia’s fintechs grew despite lack of incentives
Jan 04, 2021
‘Lagging the world’: Australia’s fintechs grew despite lack of incentives

Australia’s fintech sector continues to grow, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 recession, new research has shown. Despite a growing number of fintechs entering the market, venture capital investor Seed Space highlighted Australia cannot compete globally in a fintech market due to weaker global initiatives.

In the Media Australia needs talent for fintech: Morrison
Dec 14, 2020
Australia needs talent for fintech: Morrison

While the Prime Minister has shown he believes both government and industry need to get behind fintech, Dirk Steller, founder and managing partner of Seed Space Venture Capital commented the local sector needs policy changes and greater support before it can be taken seriously as a regional hub for innovation.

In the Media Why Australia’s open banking should look towards UK and Europe for success
Nov 26, 2020
Why Australia’s open banking should look towards UK and Europe for success

Seed Space Venture Capital managing partner Dirk Steller believes it’s absolutely critical that Australia learns from our international counterparts in making open banking a success, particularly as the Consumer Data Right is rolled out to different industries beyond financial services.

In the Media Why COVID-19 was a watershed moment for Australian fintech
Nov 20, 2020
Why COVID-19 was a watershed moment for Australian fintech

Seed Space Venture Capital managing partner Dirk Steller opens up on the transformational impact that the pandemic has had on the fintech industry and emerging companies in Australia.

In the Media Why gender diversity is so important in fintech
Nov 13, 2020
Why gender diversity is so important in fintech

The results from this year's Fintech Australia and EY Fintech Census show female participation in the fintech workforce has stagnated at 29 percent, the same figure as last year. Founder Dirk Steller and Civil Ledger CEO Katrina Donaghy - an adviser to Seed Space share their thoughts on why gender diversity in fintech is so important.

In the Media VC Land Podcast: ‘For a company to succeed you need a Hustler, a Hacker and a Hipster,’ Dirk Steller, Seed Space VC
Oct 29, 2020
VC Land Podcast: ‘For a company to succeed you need a Hustler, a Hacker and a Hipster,’ Dirk Steller, Seed Space VC

The VC Land Podcast connects you with some of the leading players in Australia’s growing venture capital (VC) market. In this episode, Justin speaks with veteran VC investor Dirk Steller, founder and managing partner of Seed Space Venture Capital. Steller talks through the origins of Seed Space; how his fund identifies opportunities and the formula for success and more.

In the Media Stone & Chalk Capital Raising Guide for Startups
Jun 11, 2020
Stone & Chalk Capital Raising Guide for Startups

As startups grow, gain recognition and commercialise, capital raising becomes a critical component of success. The funding landscape is constantly changing and investment options are diversifying. The Stone & Chalk guide to capital-raising for startups provides expert guidance to the types, stages, and sourcing of startup funding, as well as the steps involved in valuation and issuing equity.

In the Media Fintech run by ex-Citi operatives widens customer net
May 26, 2020
Fintech run by ex-Citi operatives widens customer net

New fintech on-the-block Stropro has started to officially open up its investment platform to wealth managers and high-net-worth investors around the country, after completing beta testing for its technology.

In the Media Open banking and rise of fintechs to disrupt big banks' 'rivers of gold'
May 26, 2020
Open banking and rise of fintechs to disrupt big banks' 'rivers of gold'

Clancy Yeates speaks to Seed Space founder Dirk Steller on open banking, why it won’t spark an exodus from the traditional financial services incumbents and what it means for younger clients who are open to buying services digitally

In the Media Founders respond to the Senate’s fintech and regtech issues paper
May 26, 2020
Founders respond to the Senate’s fintech and regtech issues paper

The Australian Senate’s Select Committee on Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology released an issues paper this week ahead of its inquiry into the sector. Startup Daily spoke to three tech leaders for their views. Here’s what they said.

In the Media Senate committee launches fintech inquiry
May 26, 2020
Senate committee launches fintech inquiry

Access to capital, regulation and culture is among the issues for Australian fintechs by the sector’s dedicated Senate committee, as the government body has launched its inquiry into the industry

In the Media FinTech committee calls for submissions
May 26, 2020
FinTech committee calls for submissions

The first issues paper on the national inquiry into Australia's fintech and regtech sectors has been released, providing insight into the government's view of the sector as well as how it plans to shape the inquiry.

In the Media FinTech review not a battle
May 26, 2020
FinTech review not a battle

The federal government has kicked off a review of Australia's fintech industry in a bid to improve the nation's competitiveness, as entrepreneurs call for more support and a visa shake-up.

In the Media FinTech funding and potential: Australia vs the world
May 26, 2020
FinTech funding and potential: Australia vs the world

The growing maturity of Australia’s FinTech space is unlocking a realm of possibilities for the next generation of small businesses coming through seeking to gain a strong capital foothold as they transition towards their next phase of growth.

In the Media Artificial intelligence and super
May 26, 2020
Artificial intelligence and super

Incumbent financial institutions, traditionally constrained by a historical reliance on legacy systems and infrastructure, are now able to focus more on the scale and sophistication of their data, opening up new possibilities for how they interact with the fund members of tomorrow through the advent of AI.

In the Media Technology coming for advice jobs
May 26, 2020
Technology coming for advice jobs

Journalist Elizabeth McArthur speaks to Seed Space’s managing partner Dirk Steller after the release of a Rice Warner report arguing technology will fundamentally alter how people expect to receive and pay for retirement advice.

In the Media Let’s Talk: Ecommerce
May 26, 2020
Let’s Talk: Ecommerce

In this feature article for Dynamic Business, editor Loren Webb speaks to industry leaders on whether modern start-ups and innovative businesses today can still survive without an online offering.

In the Media Let’s Talk Competition
May 26, 2020
Let’s Talk Competition

In this feature article for Dynamic Business, editor Loren Webb speaks to industry experts on the best strategies to ensure your business thrives and stands out from the competition to ensure customer loyalty.

In the Media UK blueprint for open banking
May 26, 2020
UK blueprint for open banking

The passage of open banking legislation by the Australian parliament last month is a key turning point for fintech in Australia. Fostering the right regulatory policy settings and cultivating a mood of collaboration between start-ups and regulators has been a key aspect of Australia’s mission to cement its claim as a regional leader in fintech innovation.

In the Media The VC Checklist: What you need to do to get your startup noticed
May 26, 2020
The VC Checklist: What you need to do to get your startup noticed

Securing the right venture capital can completely transform your startup. Getting the right partnership in place can prove to be invaluable – particularly in your early stages of development.

In the Media Why Australian tech startups should consider staying private for longer
May 26, 2020
Why Australian tech startups should consider staying private for longer

As Australia’s fintech industry develops, successful startups will increasingly need to consider how they access capital markets to finance the next phase of growth. Dirk Steller, founder of fintech venture capital fund Seed Space, says listing publicly can still add value, but it’s important to get the timing right.

In the Media Key lessons and insights from WealthTech forum
May 26, 2020
Key lessons and insights from WealthTech forum

This year’s WealthTech Forum in Geneva had a clear message for Australian wealth managers: it’s time for change. The reality is that wealth management and private banking across the world has not yet started focusing on millennials or iGen clients who will completely transform the business model needed.

In the Media Fintech Focus: why Scott Morrison must prioritise fintech reform
May 26, 2020
Fintech Focus: why Scott Morrison must prioritise fintech reform

As Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced his new-look ministry, it served as an immediate recognition of the fact that the voice of fintech in this country was being heard. Seed Space’s managing partner Dirk Steller looks at how Senator Jane Hume’s promotion to the role of assistant minister for superannuation, financial services and financial technology this week was an excellent step forward for fintech in Australia.

In the Media Seed Space founder Dirk Steller brings new insights on how startups can avoid the ‘valley of death’
May 26, 2020
Seed Space founder Dirk Steller brings new insights on how startups can avoid the ‘valley of death’

Venture Capital fund Seed Space is ready to deploy capital to find the next Australian FinTech unicorn. And in doing so, it wants to help local startups safely navigate the dreaded “valley of death”.

In the Media DLD Tel Aviv Tech Conference
Dec 03, 2019
DLD Tel Aviv Tech Conference

In the Media Money 20/20 Europe
Nov 19, 2019
Money 20/20 Europe

In the Media FinTECH Awards 2018
Dec 03, 2018
FinTECH Awards 2018