Small and medium enterprises – those with fewer than 200 employees – are a powerhouse of economic growth in Australia. Collectively, they contribute 56% of Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employ 67% of the workforce.

Our own Reserve Bank has recognised they also have a huge role to play in driving innovation. However, they still face many barriers to accessing funding and investment, which can hamper their ability to do so.

Finding the funds to grow

We all know the saying “it takes money to make money”. Those starting or scaling a business have to invest in the present to generate cash in the future. This could involve buying equipment, renting space, or even investing in needed skills and knowledge.

A small, brand new startup might initially rely on debt (such as personal loans or credit cards) and investments from family and friends (sometimes called “love money”).

Having exhausted these sources, it may still need more funds to grow. Bank loans for businesses are common, quick and easy. But these require regular interest payments, which could slow growth.

Selling stakes

Alternatively, a business may want to look for investors to take out ownership stakes.

This investment can take the form of “private equity”, where ownership stakes are sold through private arrangement to investors. These can range from individual “angel investors” through to huge venture capital and private equity firms managing billions in investments.

It can also take the form of “public equity”, where shares are offered and are then able to be bought and sold by anyone on a public stock exchange such as the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

Unfortunately, small and medium-sized companies face hurdles to accessing both kinds.

Private investors’ high bar to clear

Research examining the gap in small-scale private equity has found 46% of small and medium-sized firms in Australia would welcome an equity investment – despite saying they were able to acquire debt elsewhere.

They preferred private equity because they also wanted to learn from experienced investors who could help them grow their companies. However, very few small and medium-sized enterprises were able to meet private equity’s investment criteria.

When interviewed, many chief executives and chairs of small private equity firms said their lack of interest in small and medium-sized enterprises came down to cost and difficulty of verifying information about the health and prospects of a business.

To make it easier for investors to compare investments, all public companies are required to disclose their financial information using International Financial Reporting Standards.

In contrast, small private companies can use a simplified set of rules and do not have to share their statements of profit and loss with the general public.

Share markets are costly and complex

Is it possible to list on a stock exchange instead? An initial public offering (IPO) would enable the company to raise funds by selling shares to the public.

Unfortunately, the process of issuing shares on a stock exchange is time-consuming and costly. It requires a team of advisors (accountants, lawyers, and bankers) and filing fees are high.

There are also ongoing costs and obligations associated with being a publicly traded company, including detailed financial reporting.

Last week, the regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), announced new measures to encourage more listings by streamlining the IPO process.

Despite this, many small companies do not meet the listing requirements for the ASX.

These include meeting a profits and assets test and having at least 300 investors (not including family) each with A$2,000.

There is one less well-known alternative – the smaller National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSX), which focuses on early-stage companies. Ideally, this should have been a great alternative for small companies, but it has had limited success. The NSX is now set to be acquired by a Canadian market operator.

Making companies more attractive

Our previous research has highlighted that small and medium-sized businesses should try to make themselves more attractive to private equity companies. This could include improving their financial reporting and using a reputable major auditor.

At their end, private equity companies should cast a wider net and invest a little more time in screening and selecting high-quality smaller companies. That could pay off – if it means they avoid missing out on “the next Google Maps”.

What about the $4 trillion of superannuation?

There are other opportunities we could explore. Australia’s pool of superannuation funds, for example, have begun growing so large they are running out of places to invest.

That’s led to some radical proposals. Ben Thompson, chief executive of Employment Hero, last year proposed big superannuation funds be forced to invest 1% of their cash into start-ups.

Less extreme, regulators could reassess disclosure guidelines for financial providers which may lead funds to prefer more established investments with proven track records.

There is an ongoing debate about whether the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), which regulates banks and superannuation, is too cautious. Some believe APRA’s focus on risk management hurts innovation and may result in super funds avoiding startups (which generally have a higher likelihood of failure).

In response, APRA has pointed out the global financial crisis reminded us to be cautious, to ensure financial stability and protect consumers.

This article is part of The Conversation’s series, The Productivity Puzzle.

The author would like to acknowledge her former doctoral student, the late Dr Bruce Dwyer, who made significant contributions to research discussed in this article. Bruce passed away in a tragic accident earlier this year.

Colette Southam does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

H u awei wearable devices Surpassed 200 Million Cumulative Shipments

SHENZHEN, China, June 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — According to the latest IDC Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker data, Huawei ascended to the top position in the global wrist-worn device market in Q1 2025, while maintaining robust growth momentum and retaining its leadership in shipment volume within China. Additionally, as of 5 June 2025, Huawei’s cumulative global wearable shipments have exceeded 200 million units.

Five Product Series Catering to Global Users’ Diverse Scenario Needs

Huawei wearables integrate fashionable design, professional and comprehensive sports and health features, and efficient, practical smart experiences. Tailored to different user needs, Huawei has developed five product series to fulfil the diverse scenario requirements of all user groups—spanning smart living, scientific exercise, and health management.

The HUAWEI WATCH Series incorporates cutting-edge smart technology, featuring standalone calling capabilities and smart vehicle control functions to enable an efficient, intelligent lifestyle. The newly launched HUAWEI WATCH 5 delivers enhanced intelligence, efficiency and convenience. Equipped with the innovative multi-sensing X-TAP technology, it unlocks new dimensions in health monitoring and tactile interaction. The HUAWEI WATCH FIT Series fulfils lightweight wear needs through its slim design and extensive sports functions, allowing users to fully enjoy daily life. Meanwhile, the HUAWEI WATCH GT Series combines exceptional battery life with fashionable aesthetics and professional sports health features, serving as a comprehensive wrist-worn fitness coach.

For users who push boundaries and challenge extremes, the HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate Series delivers ultimate reliability with its rugged construction, advanced sports modes including 100-metre professional diving and outdoor expedition features, as well as advanced golf course mode, to bring cater to users’ needs.

Additionally, addressing hypertension management challenges, Huawei innovatively broke through wrist-based blood pressure technology to launch the HUAWEI WATCH D Series. Through its breakthrough 24-hour dynamic blood pressure monitoring function, it helps users measure and manage blood pressure anytime, anywhere, integrating professional-grade blood pressure health guardianship into daily life.

Technological Innovation Driving Breakthroughs in Sports Health Technology

Behind the satisfaction of users’ sports health management needs lies Huawei wearables’ continuous innovation investment. Huawei has established three Health Labs globally, leveraging capabilities from over ten Huawei research institutes to relentlessly explore the frontiers of sports health technology.

In 2024, Huawei launched its new digital health & fitness paradigm—TruSense System—achieving higher accuracy and speed in vital sign data monitoring. In 2025, the TruSense System was upgraded again, fusing the advantages of fingertip and wrist detection to deliver a fuller, more accurate, and faster health monitoring experience, including 10-second fingertip blood oxygen readings and an increase in micro-body measurement indicators to 17 items.

In the field of blood pressure management, Huawei pioneered the launch of the HUAWEI WATCH D, a wrist-based blood pressure monitor that obtained Class II medical device registration certification in China.  Now this innovation included in the “Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension (2024 revision)”.

As of now, Huawei wearable devices have obtained 7 domestic medical certifications and medical device certificates in 13 overseas countries/regions, with nearly 1000 patent applications in the smart wearables field.

Huawei has collaborated with over 160 global professional institutions, conducted 300+ health research projects, and attracted over 17 million users to participate in health studies.

Active Rings: Where Huawei and Users Unite to build Sports Health Lifestyles

Huawei accompanies global users to build sports health lifestyles together. In September 2023, Huawei initiated the “Light Up Your Rings” campaign, which has seen over 6 million global users participate, lighting up rings over 300 million times. In 2025, the fully upgraded “Active Rings” initiative was introduced, inspiring global users to move joyfully anytime, anywhere with Huawei wearables.

The Active Rings campaign has already been held in Germany, Spain, and China, and beyond, where consumers jointly enjoyed active moments. It will progressively launch in APAC, Latin America, the Middle East, and other regions in the future.

Photo – https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2708541/HUAWEI_WATCH_5.jpg?p=medium600

Photo – https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2708543/1.jpg?p=medium600

Uvalde High School senior Jett Flores shows off one of the guardian cap covers the University Interscholastic League has approved for use in games in 2025. Guardian caps give extra head protect. (Photo by Wade Miller|Uvalde High School)

Two big things are coming to Texas high school football in 2025.

The University Interscholastic League has approved the use of wearable technology for the purpose of play-calling.

According to the UIL, coach-to-player communication will be allowed through one-way wearable technologies for games beginning in 2025.

Unlike the National Collegiate Athletic Association-approved helmet communication technology, the UIL will allow wristband-like technology to communicate play calls from coaches to athletes.

Teams will be allowed to use watches, wristbands, and belt packs to communicate in-game calls only.

There will be no limit on the number of athletes who can wear a device during the game.

The UIL continues to ban technology such as tablets and electronic devices on the sidelines.

Play calling goes from the coaches booth or the pressbox, where technology is permitted.

“I would like to see the UIL allow us to do like they allow colleges to do. To have a direct connection to the helmet, like they have in the professional football,” said Uvalde High School head coach Wade Miller.

“The way things are now, I would have to send a play to a coach in the pressbox and then have them relay the information to our quarterback wearing a wrist device,” said Miller. “I think it is quicker to either signal in a play by hand signals, to have someone take in a play, or just to have the quarterback come to the sideline to get the play.”

Since 2024, the NCAA has allowed in-helmet communication technology.

“I think the UIL will eventually go to what college football uses now. It may be a few years,” said Miller.

The other major rule change for UIL football for 2025 will be to allow the use of guardian caps on helmets as long as the caps are the primary shell color of the helmet.

A guardian cap is a padded, soft-shell helmet cover designed to reduce impact during collisions in football.

“Using guardian caps is a good way to further reduce concussions,” said Coach Miller. “It’s a good new addition.”

The UIL has some other rules changes set for the coming season, but the guardian cap and the wristband technology devices are the two biggest changes.

Texas is the lone state in the union that uses the NCAA rule book. But there are exceptions to NCAA rules noted in the UIL rules.

All other states in the United States use high school football rules set forth by the National Federation of High Schools.

JVOLZ@ULNNOW.COM, 830-278-3335

Taiwan has placed Chinese tech giants Huawei Technologies and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) on a trade blacklist, stepping up restrictions on the firms amid intensifying technological competition between China and the United States.

The island’s Ministry of Economic Affairs updated its Strategic High-Tech Commodities Entity List over the weekend to include Huawei, SMIC and several of their subsidiaries. The move effectively bars the companies from acquiring critical semiconductor technologies from Taiwanese suppliers.

The decision deals another setback to Beijing’s efforts to expand its domestic chipmaking capabilities and compete with US firms such as Nvidia. Huawei and SMIC have already been sanctioned by the United States.

Ray Wang, a Washington-based semiconductor and tech analyst, said the restrictions would close existing loopholes and limit collaboration between blacklisted Chinese firms and Taiwan’s tech industry. “The new rule from Taipei is more of an effort to further tighten the screws on control measures led by Washington,”
South China Morning Post quoted Wang as saying.

Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification. The US remains opposed to any forced reunification and continues to provide military support to the island.

Huawei and SMIC have emerged as central players in China’s drive for self-reliance in chipmaking. The companies introduced a 7-nanometer chip in 2023 that powered Huawei’s high-end Mate 60 smartphone, prompting US officials to review the effectiveness of existing sanctions.

The United States has imposed export bans on various Chinese technology firms and scrutinised the role of Taiwan-based companies in aiding China’s semiconductor development. In 2023, the US Commerce Department ordered Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to restrict advanced processing services for mainland clients, Reuters reported.

TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, has since tightened shipments to China. That followed a TechInsights investigation revealing a TSMC-manufactured AI chip in a Huawei training card. The company may face a US$1 billion fine in connection with a US probe into that chip, according to Reuters.

Despite the new measures, Wang said the impact on Huawei and SMIC would likely be limited. “These companies were already facing significant constraints under previous curbs and had struggled with scaling up production,” he said.

When you’re spending long days walking miles through Disney World, wearable tech can go from a nice-to-have to an absolute game-changer.

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, which means when you click a link and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

The Whoop 5.0 isn’t your typical smartwatch or step counter. It’s a sleek, screenless fitness tracker designed to be worn 24/7, gathering detailed insights about your body’s performance, recovery, and sleep. Instead of focusing on flashy notifications or apps, the Whoop is all about collecting biometric data and delivering it through the companion app, so you can truly understand what’s going on with your health and wellness. It’s worn like a fabric wristband, making it comfortable enough to forget it’s even there, which is kind of the point.

What makes the Whoop 5.0 stand out from other trackers is the sheer depth of information it collects. It monitors your heart rate, skin temperature, blood oxygen levels, and HRV (heart rate variability) to deliver a personalized daily “strain” score. It’s basically telling you how hard your body’s working. The sleep tracking is top-tier, too, offering detailed feedback on your sleep stages, sleep debt, and recovery level so you know whether you’re good to go for the day or need to take it easy. There’s also haptic feedback, a Smart Alarm, and Bluetooth compatibility, so it pairs seamlessly with other devices.

Now, imagine having this kind of intel on your body while walking 20,000 steps across Disney World. Disney World trips are no joke on your stamina — you’re constantly on your feet, sometimes in extreme heat, juggling ride times, show schedules, and mobile orders like a pro. The Whoop can help you keep tabs on how your body’s really handling all of it. Are you recovering well overnight? Are you pushing too hard in the heat? Are you getting enough rest between those rope drops and fireworks shows? The data helps you make smarter decisions so you don’t hit a wall mid-vacation.

These SuperKnit bands are designed to keep up with your busy schedule—from your high-intensity workouts to your evening plans. With a WHOOP Life membership, choose a SuperKnit band to take on-demand ECG readings.

In the meantime, we’ll be keeping an eye out for the latest Disney deals, so make sure you stay tuned to AllEars for more!

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