Technology, Innovation & Science

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac and National Australia Bank have seemingly failed to secure permission to collectively bargain with Apple for iPhone users to make mobile payments from their own digital wallets, rather than Apple Pay.

Vocus Communications shares have plunged more than 20 per cent after Australia's fourth biggest telecommunications group delivered a grim trading update following its rapid expansion.

The number of Perth-based technology companies pursuing a listing on the ASX this year has hit 10, with Dreamscape Networks due to list in coming days after raising $25 million and Secure2Go kicking off its capital raising this week. 

Saybubble has been named Techboard’s highest trending company for this fortnight, following strong international news coverage and social media engagement.

A company angling for a share of the 1.6 billion strong global video gamers market - and maybe doing it with government backing - has leapt on debut on the ASX.

Global IT company Infosys is planning to recruit 100 people in Western Australia over the coming year after selecting Perth for its newest office.

Three local businesses have been inducted into Family Business Australia’s hall of fame, including an electrical contractor established in 1920, a fertiliser supplier and an engineering business that recently listed on the ASX. 

Aerial imagery company Nearmap has announced plans to raise up to $25 million from investors to fund development, sales and marketing work.

A WA-based company could potentially shake up the $US96 billion global textile industry with a natural fibre originally sourced from wine.

Perth-based technology company Smart Parking has announced plans to raise up to $10.9 million from investors to fund enhancements to its products, as well as sales and marketing work.

Six Western Australian companies were winners in the 2016 Deloitte tech fast 50 awards, while NSW company Cashrewards took top spot overall.

Perth-based tech startup Fleetsu has taken home the top prize at the Motorola Solutions public safety hackathon for its safety mobile application.

Perth-based companies K2fly, Zelda Therapeutics and Impression Healthcare have wrapped up their first day of trading on the ASX after completing reverse takeovers, with Impression, which counts John Worsfold as a director, the only one to post a gain.

A group of entrepreneurs from seven Western Australian technology businesses are heading to North America next week as part of a new program founded by Deloitte designed to build overseas networks for the state’s startup sector.

A brand new service for parents to find and book kids activities online, and for activity providers to fill their classes.

Technology company DTI Group has announced plans to raise $11.6 million from investors to bolster its balance sheet and fund development of its products.

Perth’s Startup Weekend is a fertile breeding ground for tech startup founders, and this month’s ninth event shows the strength of the sector in WA.

Artificial intelligence company OpenDNA has wrapped up its first day of trading on the ASX after completing an $8 million initial public offering.

The organisers of Perth’s inaugural Festival of the Web, which will incorporate the International World Wide Web conference, hope to attract 3,000 delegates to the Western Australian capital next April.

Nano-technology company Dotz Nano has announced plans to establish a $S20 million ($A18.7 million) research centre in Singapore, on the same day it made fruitful gains on its first day of trading on the ASX.

Fastbrick Robotics has topped Techboard’s startup and tech company ranking this fortnight, following its win at the 2016 WA Innovator of the Year awards.

Perth’s growing traffic congestion woes have prompted the development of two new apps, both designed to make old methods of commuting easier and get drivers out of their cars.

Bibra Lake company Airstream has started rolling out a series of wireless control systems for home lighting, reticulation and security as it seeks to stay ahead of competitors in the home automation market.

The company in charge of rolling out the national broadband network says it is well on track towards its long-term goals after adding about 338,000 new homes and businesses to the system in the September quarter.

The creators of Northbridge-based startup Stuck are hoping to bring uberfication to roadside assistance, with a new app to be launched soon that will match local mechanics with stranded drivers at the push of a button.

The government’s failure to explain some fundamental details of its innovation plan has raised questions.

A neuroscience-focused business that has been backed by the Perth-based Trevisan family has made a solid debut on the ASX after completing a $7 million initial public offering led by Azure Capital.

Feedmee is a food discovery app, the ‘Tinder for food’. Users swipe through photos of food until they find what they want.

Belmont-based security company Threat Protect Australia has locked in a $10.5 million funding package with a Melbourne-based wealth management business, to continue its growth plans.

MMJ Phytotech has accepted a competing bid for the spin-out of its medical cannabis-focused Canadian subsidiaries onto the TSX Venture Exchange, with the new deal worth $C42 million ($A41 million).

It’s hoped a recent federal grant may go some way to highlighting the high-quality research undertaken in WA.

SPECIAL REPORT: An app co-developed in WA could revolutionise the way organisations around the world measure the impact and intrinsic value of arts and culture programs.