Australia's startup ecosystem continues its strong momentum into 2026, with early-stage and growth companies attracting significant investor interest amid a rebound in venture capital flows. Total equity funding in Australia reached $503 million across 25 rounds in the first two months of 2026—up 27% from the same period in 2025—driven by AI, climate tech, fintech, and deep tech sectors.

While established unicorns like Canva and Airwallex dominate headlines, a new wave of rising startups is gaining traction through innovative solutions, rapid scaling, and high-profile partnerships. These emerging players, many backed by accelerators like Startmate and investors such as Blackbird Ventures, are addressing real-world challenges in healthcare, customer service, space exploration, and more.

Here are 10 rising Australian startups poised for breakthroughs in 2026, based on recent funding, product momentum, and industry buzz as of February 2026.

Lorikeet
Lorikeet

1. **Lorikeet** (Sydney, AI customer service)
Lorikeet has emerged as one of the fastest-rising AI startups in Australia, securing $35 million in funding in under a year. The platform deploys autonomous AI agents that handle complex customer support interactions, reducing reliance on human teams. With strong traction in e-commerce and SaaS, Lorikeet is expanding globally in 2026, positioning itself as a leader in agentic AI for enterprises.

2. **Andromeda** (Melbourne, robotics and aged care)
Founded by Grace Brown, Andromeda develops Abi—a companion robot designed to combat loneliness in aged care facilities while supporting staff shortages. The hardware-software solution has defied skepticism around high-cost robotics startups by focusing on emotional intelligence and practical integration. With pilot programs scaling in 2026, Andromeda is drawing attention for its social impact and potential international expansion.

3. **Kapture** (Sydney, AI-driven productivity)
Kapture is building AI tools that automate repetitive knowledge work, targeting professionals in legal, finance, and consulting. Early 2026 traction includes enterprise pilots and positive feedback on its ability to handle nuanced tasks. Backed by prominent local investors, the startup is expected to announce major partnerships this year as it competes in the growing AI automation space.

4. **Gilmour Space Technologies** (Queensland, space launch)
Gilmour Space is on the cusp of a major milestone in 2026: its first orbital launch attempt with the Eris rocket. The company has secured government contracts and private funding for hybrid rocket technology aimed at small satellite deployment. After years of development, a successful test flight could catapult Gilmour into the global space economy, attracting further investment and partnerships.

5. **Understanding Zoe** (location not specified, healthtech/AI diagnostics)
This startup uses AI to improve diagnostic accuracy in healthcare, focusing on early detection of conditions through data analysis. With growing clinical validation and partnerships in 2026, Understanding Zoe is positioned to address Australia's aging population and healthcare access challenges, drawing interest from health funds and hospitals.

6. **Fleet Space Technologies** (Adelaide, satellite communications)
Fleet continues to scale its satellite constellation for global IoT connectivity. Recent contracts for remote monitoring in mining and agriculture highlight its edge in low-power, wide-area networks. With additional launches planned for 2026, Fleet is a key player in Australia's space sector push.

7. **Q-CTRL** (Sydney, quantum control software)
Q-CTRL provides error-suppression tools for quantum computers, addressing one of the field's biggest hurdles. Backed by significant funding and partnerships with global tech firms, the company is expanding applications in defense and finance, with 2026 expected to bring major milestones in quantum hardware integration.

8. **Harrison.ai** (Sydney, AI healthcare diagnostics)
Specializing in AI for medical imaging and pathology, Harrison.ai has seen rapid adoption in hospitals. Its tools improve diagnostic speed and accuracy, with ongoing trials and regulatory progress positioning it for broader rollout in 2026 across Australia and international markets.

9. **Relevance AI** (Sydney, AI workflow automation)
Relevance AI enables no-code creation of AI agents for business processes. With strong growth in SaaS adoption, the platform is attracting users in marketing, sales, and operations, and is expected to announce enterprise expansions in 2026.

10. **Sapia.ai** (Melbourne, AI recruitment)
Sapia uses conversational AI for bias-reduced hiring assessments. Its chat-based interviews have gained traction with large employers, and 2026 plans include deeper integration with HR systems and global scaling.

These startups reflect Australia's strengths in AI, deep tech, and sustainable innovation. Funding trends show optimism, with investors betting on vertical AI solutions and hardware-software combinations. Challenges remain, including talent shortages and global competition, but 2026 could see several of these companies achieve unicorn status or major exits.

Australia's ecosystem benefits from supportive policies, including R&D tax incentives and grants like the Female Founders Co-Investment Fund. As the year unfolds, these rising players are set to drive economic growth and position the country as a global tech contender.