2015 was a big year for Australian startups -- the government decided it wanted an "ideas boom," announcing a A$1.1 billion (US$799 million) innovation fund, and Sydney-based software darling Atlassian went public in a big way.
Startup fever has hit Australia, and 2016 should be just as eventful. Here are 4 startups -- some big, some up-and-coming -- to keep an eye on in the new year.
1. Canva
It's been a bumper year for Sydney-based graphic design startup Canva. Founded in 2012 by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht and Cameron Adams, Canva this year claimed 5 million users who have created more than 35 million designs on the platform.
In October, the company secured a US$15 million (A$21 million) funding round from veteran investors such as Blackbird Ventures and Matrix Partners, but also, oddly enough, Hollywood stars Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson.
The large figure, which followed previous healthy investment rounds, has kickstarted speculation about what Canva will do next, whether going public or looking to be acquired. Even if the founders choose to stick it out on their own, you can be sure 2016 will be a year of new milestones.
2. Zero Latency
Everyone's excited about virtual reality gaming, but no one's doing it like Zero Latency.
The system Zero Latency has developed an experience they're calling "multiplayer free-roam" virtual reality gaming, which lets you fight zombies from a north Melbourne warehouse. Using an Oculus Rift headset, Alienware Alpha computer backpack and cameras tracking every movement in a space the size of a basketball court, players essentially enter a video game and fight for their lives.
Zero Latency co-director Tim Ruse told Mashable Australia in November that international interest in their project had been overwhelming. 2016 could be the year immersive virtual reality gaming comes to a mall near you.
3. Showpo
Showpo founder Jane Lu has combined social media savvy and business chops to take her online retailer to the next level.
Worth A$10 million (US$7 million), according to the Australian, Showpo ships affordable fashion to 45 countries worldwide.
Lu left a career in corporate consultancy to pursue a career as an entrepreneur, and she uses social media to speak to her young audience. Instagramming as the @thelazyceo, Lu has more than 143,000 followers, but Showpo's Instagram account boasts 816,000 followers compared to the accounts of traditional retailers such as David Jones, 191,000 followers, or Myer, 178,000 follower. We'll see where Lu's social media smarts takes her in 2016.
A photo posted by Jane Lu CEO @ Showpo (@thelazyceo) on Sep 15, 2015 at 3:56am PDT
4. Eora 3D
A 3D scanner than attaches to your iPhone? Yes, please.
The idea for Eora 3D came to Rahul Koduri, Asfand Khan and Richard Boers when they couldn't find a reliable 3D printer that cost less than A$20,000 (US$14,537). Using the computing power of a smartphone combined with a green laser scanner, the system can create digital models that are ready to print. The accompanying app works on Android and iOS, and a bluetooth turntable lets objects be captured from every angle.
Eora 3D killed it on Kickstarter, raising US$599,925 (A$825,331) -- a lot more than their US$80,000 goal (A$110,057). To buy the scanner and turntable together costs US$319 (A$439) pre-sale and should ship in June 2016. Of course, the real verdict will come when people get their hands on the finished device, but the concept and design are very promising.