Company Updates
Capital Is Flowing – Just Not to Everyone: Inside Australia’s $1.8 Billion Q1 2026
Australia’s startup ecosystem opened 2026 with a number that demanded attention. In the first three months of the year, $1.8 billion was raised across 81 venture deals and 26 accelerator rounds. That makes Q1 2026 the strongest start to a year since the 2022 boom, up 63% on Q1 2025, and more than double the […]
How to Raise Capital from Wholesale Investors in Australia
Raising capital from wholesale investors is the most efficient path to funding for Australian companies that want to avoid the cost, time, and regulatory burden of producing a full prospectus. Under Section 708 of the Corporations Act 2001, companies can raise capital from investors without a disclosure document, provided specific exemptions are met. This guide […]
Steve Torso: Founder of Wholesale Investor & CapitalHQ
Steve Torso is the Founder and CEO of Wholesale Investor, Australia’s leading private capital marketplace, and CapitalHQ, the AI-powered Capital Engagement Agent platform transforming how companies raise capital and manage investor relationships. Building Australia’s Private Capital Infrastructure Steve co-founded Wholesale Investor in 2008 with a clear thesis: the gap between companies seeking private capital and […]
Wholesale Investor: Australia’s Leading Private Capital Marketplace
Since 2008, Wholesale Investor has been connecting qualified investors with high-growth private companies, fund managers, and alternative investment opportunities across Australia and internationally. With a network of over 45,000 investors, the platform is the largest and most established private capital marketplace in Australasia. What is the Wholesale Investor Platform? Wholesale Investor is a business introduction […]
Wholesale Investor Tests Explained: Net Assets, Income & Product Value
Wholesale Investor Tests Explained Australian law provides multiple pathways for qualifying as a wholesale investor. Each test has different criteria, documentation requirements, and practical implications. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of every qualification test, the evidence required, and the common pitfalls to avoid. Test 1: The Net Assets Test What It Requires Net assets […]
Do I Qualify as a Wholesale Investor? The Complete Self-Assessment
Do I Qualify as a Wholesale Investor? If you are considering investing in private markets in Australia, the first question you need to answer is whether you qualify as a wholesale (or sophisticated) investor. The qualification criteria are set out in the Corporations Act 2001 and are based on financial thresholds rather than investment knowledge […]
How to Become a Wholesale Investor in Australia [2026 Guide]
How to Become a Wholesale Investor in Australia Becoming a wholesale investor in Australia is not a matter of applying to a regulatory body or passing an exam. It is a classification that flows from meeting specific financial thresholds outlined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). If you meet the criteria, you can be certified […]
Wholesale Investor vs Retail Investor: Key Differences Explained
Wholesale Investor vs Retail Investor: What is the Difference? In Australia, every investor is classified as either retail or wholesale under the Corporations Act 2001. This classification determines which investment products you can access, what level of regulatory protection you receive, and what disclosure obligations apply to the issuers of the products you invest in. […]
What is a Sophisticated Investor in Australia? 2026 Guide
A sophisticated investor is an individual who has been certified by a qualified accountant as meeting specific financial thresholds under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). This certification allows them to participate in investment opportunities that do not require the full disclosure protections mandated for retail investors, such as a prospectus or Product Disclosure Statement. The […]
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