Superhero Raises $20M as ANZ Startup Funding Hits $21M
Synopsis
Digital investing platform Superhero has secured $20 million, while New Zealand startup Azonic added NZ$1 million in fresh capital.
Australian investing platform Superhero has raised $20 million from ANZ startup funding, while New Zealand law-enforcement startup Azonic has raised NZ$1 million.
The deals are a part of a trend of Australian startup investment making a comeback in 2025, though this investment focused on a smaller group of companies.
Superhero Valuation Reaches $176M
The investing platform raised $20 million in total during the first of a targeted $30 million raise, making the company's valuation total $176 million.
Salter Brothers of Melbourne and a European family office, as well as several high-net-worth investors led the round. On the platform, Superhero has over 450,000 investors and approximately $4 billion in assets.
The company raised $11 million in June 2025, after a $3 million round in February. By June 2025, it had raised external capital, it is reported, to approximately $70 million.
The financing comes on the heels of a valuation of $150 million in June 2025. With the total $30 million round completed, the Superhero's value is projected to reach $186 million.
Azonic Raises NZ$1M at NZ$6.1M Valuation
Additionally, NZ$1 million was raised by Azonic in a pre-seed round, which also counts towards ANZ startup funding. The New Zealand-based startup has a valuation of NZ$6.1m post raise.
Blackbird was the lead, and Antler and individual founders performed a supportive role. Caden Scott and Thomas Holdom founded Azonic in 2026.
The company is working on an intelligence platform for law-enforcement and intelligence agencies that will be used to investigate online crime. It is able to integrate reports, case files and intelligence from multiple reporting systems into a single platform and is currently being used by investigators in Australia, New Zealand and the US.
Australian Startup Investment Reborned in 2025 is a video game.Australian Startup Investment Reborned in 2025 is a video game.
The ANZ startup funding deals come on the heels of a better year for VC funding in Australia.
According to the State of Australian Startup Funding 2025, by Cut Through Venture and Folklore Ventures, there were 390 deals and $5.1 billion raised in the year 2025. This marked a 24% rise from 2024 and amounted to the third-highest funding level ever.
However, deal numbers fell from 470 in 2024 to 390 in 2025. It identified the largest 20 deals have raised 58% of capital raised.
The report also shows more than 60% of the funding was dedicated to startups with artificial intelligence in their technology. Just over $1 billion was disbursed to AI-native companies.
Source: Smart Company
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
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