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Sydney-based startup accelerator and investor Scalare Partners Holdings (ASX: SCP) has acquired Fishburners, one of Australia's oldest startup communities, through a cash deal after the not-for-profit entered voluntary administration in May.
While financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed, the deal covers the Fishburners brand, programs, intellectual property and associated community assets.
No employees or liabilities have been assumed as part of the transaction, with Scalare describing the acquisition as "not material" to its overall financial position.
The news comes less than a month after KPMG partners Phil Quinlan and Gayle Dickerson were appointed as administrators for Fishburners, which had been weighed down by unresolved legacy rental debt stemming from the NSW Government's Sydney Startup Hub program and subsequent operating losses.
Founded in 2011, Fishburners had supported more than 35,000 entrepreneurs and helped raise more than $600 million in investments over its 15-year history before falling into administration.
Scalare, which operates coworking and startup support brand Tank Stream Labs, says the acquisition strengthens its position as a nationally scaled startup ecosystem operator.
Post-acquisition, the group's ecosystem collectively represents more than 40,000 founders and startup participants, over 10,530 startups supported, and alumni that have collectively raised more than $5.4 billion in funding.
“Fishburners has been an important part of Australia’s innovation ecosystem for more than 15 years," says Scalare CEO Carolyn Breeze.
"We are proud to continue that legacy and provide founders with stronger pathways to community, education, customers, capital and support.
"This acquisition further strengthens Scalare’s mission to build one of the most connected founder ecosystems in Australia.”
The acquisition follows Scalare's purchase of Planet Startup in late 2025, which expanded the group's footprint beyond its Sydney base.
Together, Tank Stream Labs and Fishburners have delivered more than 7,000 events since inception.
Scalare says Fishburners members will be provided access to Tank Stream Labs locations nationally, including a dedicated Fishburners Hub within Tank Stream Labs’ flagship Kent Street, Sydney campus.
Scalare also plans to relaunch the Fishburners Pitch Nights and founder showcase programs nationally in addition to a new Fishburners Investment Vehicle to invest in selected startups emerging from the Pitch Night program.
Tank Stream Labs CEO Bradley Delamare says founder communities are critical infrastructure for the startup sector.
“Founder communities remain critically important despite advances in technology and remote work," he says.
"The strongest startup ecosystems are built through collaboration, connection and shared experience.”
Scalare Partners says the cash-only acquisition, which was completed today, is consistent with the company's strategic focus on expanding its startup ecosystem platform and founder network capabilities.
Scalare reported quarterly revenue receipts of $5.26 million in Q3 FY26, up 771 per cent year-on-year.
However, the company's cash balance sat at $468,000 as at 31 March 2026, with an underlying net operating cash outflow of $56,000 for the quarter.
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