Tech investor Scalare Partners acquires national startup mentoring program the Australian Technologies Competition

Early-stage tech investor and advisory firm Scalare Partners has acquired the annual Australian Technologies Competition (ATC), which helps build promising tech companies for the world stage.

The ATC has an alumni pool of 350 past winners, including telehealth platform Coviu, global agri-business Agri-Digital and ASX-listed cleantech company Calix. 

Scalare Partners CEO Carolyn Breeze said the acquisition is part of their ongoing commitment to the technology sector.

“Our goal is to continue to support and develop the ATC as a platform that connects innovative companies with investors and industry experts, providing them with the knowledge and connections they need to succeed on their entrepreneurial journeys,”she said. 

“We believe the Australian technology sector has enormous potential, and we are excited to be a part of its continued growth and success.” 

Scalare acquired the competition from Impact Tech Ventures (ITV).

ITV founder Pat Mooney said Scalare is a great home for the competition as it evolves

“I’m really looking forward to this year’s program and its continuing role in helping Australian innovators realise their global potential,” he said.

This year’s awards program will run from May 1 to September.

The judging and mentoring process will be independent of Scalare, so its portfolio companies can enter the competition. 

This year’s award categories have a broad range of homegrown technology spanning medtech, pharma, regtech, fintech, agritech, clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, advanced manufacturing, cyber, and for the first time – an eco-system supporter of the year. 

The judging panel includes John O’Brien, partner for energy, climate & sustainability at Deloitte, Melina Georgousakis, medical research scientist and social entrepreneur, and a dozen more industry experts. 

The Commonwealth government has sponsored ATC annually, with the Victorian government backing it for the last four years. 

To enter, a company must be Australian-based, with less than 100 employees and hold commercial rights or ownership of the intellectual property for a key technology in an eligible industry sector. 

More details here.