Sydney stories

DroneShield rolls out Q2 software upgrade with drone threat ranking, revamped ATAK-CIV tools and offline maps for its command systems.

Hapana unveils rebuilt fitness software platform after USD $7.25 million Microequities-led round, targeting multi-site operators with AI tools.

Meliora acquires Auckland-based Backchat Media, gaining a New Zealand foothold and bolstering its APAC digital strategy and content offering.

Rimini Street hails a looming “SaaS‑pocalypse”, pitching its Smart Path as an AI-era escape route from costly cloud and platform lock-in.

Mimecast chief warns human risk is now cybersecurity's 'eighth layer' as malicious insiders overtake negligence in Australian attacks.

OFX appoints former PayPal Australia marketer Liz Lord as chief marketing officer to spearhead its shift beyond cross-border payments.

Qualtrics crowns Act XM top Asia Pacific Japan partner as it launches inaugural global Partner of the Year Awards across five categories.

Irish tech exports to Australia and New Zealand have surged nearly 60% in five years, with Enterprise Ireland backing rapid sector growth.

Custom AI apps will drive half of enterprise cyber incident response by 2028, as rushed rollouts outpace security testing and controls.

Gartner predicts AI will disrupt office software, hiring and data by 2030, triggering a USD $58 billion productivity tools shake-up.

Backbase appoints Didier Van der Coelden as CFO to steer growth and AI-led banking platform expansion across its global operations.

Brands plan to lift content budgets and AI use, but fragmented tools are fuelling burnout, wasted spend and slower campaign launches.

10x Banking launches version 10.0 of its core platform, its 100th release, adding richer lending tools and custom logic hooks for banks.

From runway to boardroom, Australia's pageant stage doubles as a high-stakes PR lab for purpose-driven personal branding in 2026.

Firms spent USD $252 billion on AI in 2024, yet only 4% report repeatable, scalable value as governance and skills gaps hold back returns.

Volt secures Identified Institution status on Australia's NPP, unlocking direct PayTo and PayID services for merchants via a single API.

Specialist Risk Group enters Australia with Sydney and Melbourne offices, targeting mid-market clients as it grows its Asia-Pacific platform.

Christchurch AI startup Contented raises NZD $4.1m seed round to grow its meeting-minutes platform and push into Australia, UK and US.

CFOs shift from hiring to hardware, funnelling bigger budgets into tech, AI and sales while HR, headcount and pay growth lose momentum.

CFOs are funnelling 2026 budgets into tech, AI and sales, while easing back on hiring, HR spending and rapid pay growth.