The Merton Monthly: August
Project Odyssey Launch
Reflecting on July: Building Momentum with Project Odyssey
July was a milestone month at Merton Lawyers with the launch of Project Odyssey, our latest initiative to support and strengthen Australia’s startup ecosystem. As part of this program, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming Merton Lawyers Startup Board Course, taking place later this year.
📆 27th & 28th October 2025
📍 Wade Institute, Melbourne
✉️ Invite-only | 25 VCs + 1 portfolio company each (50 participants total)
This two-day intensive course is designed to empower venture capital investors with the skills and insights needed to navigate the dynamic world of startups and entrepreneurship. Participants can look forward to engaging discussions, expert mentorship, and meaningful networking opportunities with leaders shaping the innovation economy.
With only 50 places available, the course offers a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and sharpen boardroom capabilities.
👉 Register your interest here.
We’ll be sharing more updates soon on our partnerships, speaker lineup, and agenda. For now, we’re excited to carry the momentum from July forward—and can’t wait to welcome participants in October!
Join our team! We are seeking a passionate individual to fill a Commercial Lawyer position at our Hawthorn office.
This role offers:
🔹 Exposure to intriguing, complex, and strategic commercial matters
🔹 Direct access to Partners and senior lawyers to fast-track your development
🔹 A collaborative, results-driven and supportive team that values initiative and excellence
If you’re ready to advance your career in Commercial law and grow with us, apply now.
Corporate Partner - Emerging Growth Companies & Venture Capital (Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast, Australia)
We are seeking a dynamic Partner to lead and grow our Emerging Growth Companies & Venture Capital Practice. This is an exceptional opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Australian startup ecosystem. As a Partner, you will leverage your expertise, networks, and leadership to further develop your career and elevate the firm's position as a market leader in the space.
📷 Kimberly White/Getty Images
Figma’s 250% IPO pop puts the spotlight on underwriters’ pricing
Figma's shares soared 250% on their first day of trading, closing at $115.5 and giving the company a market cap of $47.9 billion. This valuation is nearly double the $20 billion Adobe was set to pay before the acquisition fell through due to regulatory issues.
Photo: Courtesy Bedrock
The Electric: These Ex-Waymo Executives Are Automating Construction Equipment
After nearly a decade of development from companies such as Tesla and Waymo in the realm of self-driving vehicles, a team of five former executives from Waymo is now setting its sights on creating large autonomous excavators, with a goal to do so within the next two years.
What we are listening to
Careless People : a story of where I used to work - By Sarah Wynn-Williams
Shocking and darkly funny, Careless People gives you a front-row seat to the decisions that are shaping our world and the people who make them. Welcome to Facebook.
Upcoming*
Stomping for Pangea - Team Send Off and Celebration
When: August 20th 6.30pm
Where: Stomping Ground Brewery & Beer Hall, 100 Gipps St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Startmate Alumni Demo Day (powered by Stripe)
Startmate has spent the last 15 years backing ANZ’s most ambitious founders - from first ideas to global traction.
Now, for one night only, they’re back on stage.
Alumni Demo Day is a live pitch event spotlighting the breakout startups we backed early, now building what’s next in FMCG, space tech, health, cyber security, and more.
You’ll hear directly from the founders what they’re building, how they got here, and where they’re going next.
When: Thursday, September 11 - 5:45 PM - 8:00 PM GMT+10
Where: ICC Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales
