Welcome to FY26: what’s ahead for tech, talent and the tension between optimism and urgency

PLUS: Vessev heads to the US, SXSW Sydney hunts Kiwi talent, Bill Gates forecasts a shorter work week, and far-right influencers pay $10K to find a date and save humanity.

Good morning, startup land.

Kathleen at LiveRem has fast become one of our most read contributors. Today she dives into the state of play for FY26 [starting today, gulp] including talent flows, pay, politics, AI, legislative changes to watch for, and the evolution of DEI. See why she is so well read!

Here’s what else is brewing in your daily shot today:

• Vessev hires US lead and kicks off expansion into America:

• SXSW Sydney is coming to Auckland to recruit Kiwi founders

• Bill Gates says AI will make the five-day work week obsolete within a decade

• Far-right influencers charged $10K for a weekend matchmaking event to repopulate the Earth

Keep your stories and updates coming. Have a great day.

Lauren & the Caffeine team