{"id":43499,"date":"2023-10-20T15:29:01","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/startupsmart.test\/2023\/10\/20\/getting-a-big-helping-hand-startupsmart\/"},"modified":"2023-10-20T15:29:01","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:29:01","slug":"getting-a-big-helping-hand-startupsmart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startupsmart.com.au\/uncategorized\/getting-a-big-helping-hand-startupsmart\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting a big helping hand – StartupSmart"},"content":{"rendered":"
Telstra\u2019s recent announcement it has launched a $40 million fund which will be to invest in early-stage ventures raises the question why large Australian businesses have been slow to invest in fledgling enterprises. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n US giants such as Facebook and Google and American Express<\/a> have a history of snapping up hot, cutting-edge businesses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But, with few exceptions (for instance, Fairfax\u2019s acquisition of FindABabySitter) until now large, listed Australian businesses have turned their backs on the start-up market.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Faced with a near-moribund venture capital market, budding Australian entrepreneurs also have to operate in an environment where the nation\u2019s leading business figures appear to be keener on complaining about the impact of the internet on their profits rather than backing innovative start-ups that utilise it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But is this image fair, or are Australia\u2019s largest businesses belatedly starting to eye up the country\u2019s hottest young ventures?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n