Arlula Bites Down on Croc Pitch 2025 Win for $1 Million Investment*
Darwin, 10 September 2025 – A packed and attentive audience at the Darwin Innovation Hub saw
Arlula named winner of Croc Pitch 2025, putting the space-tech startup in line for up to $1 million in
venture capital from Paspalis Capital, subject to due diligence.
Arlula’s flagship platform Geostack transforms how satellite and drone imagery is accessed for maritime
domain awareness applications. Instead of waiting days for critical images, Geostack turns requests into
real-time, on-demand data that can reach decision-makers in minutes.
For defence and disaster response in the Northern Territory — a recognised hub for Australia’s strategic
operations — that speed means faster responses and stronger resilience.
The winner was announced by Hon Robyn Cahill OAM, Minister for Trade, Business and Asian
Relations, who congratulated the finalists and celebrated the Territory’s growing innovation ecosystem.
“The Government wants to make the Territory the best place in the nation to live, work, visit and invest.
Innovation is part of our plan to rebuild the economy. Croc Pitch highlights the Northern Territory as a
place where bold ideas can be tested, scaled, and launched globally. I congratulate Arlula on their
success and look forward to seeing their innovation create impact from the Territory to the world.”
Sebastian Chaoui, CEO of Arlula, said: “By turning the NT into a testbed for automation-driven solutions,
we can move fast and deliver what’s needed most for our global customers. We’re excited to make this a
reality for the Northern Territory.”
Finalists With Bite
This year’s Croc Pitch attracted numerous applicants, from which five startups were selected: Akula Tech
with AI-powered smart satellites and drone swarms for real-time defence intelligence; Qarbotech with
carbon-quantum-dot photosynthesis enhancers boosting crop yields and carbon uptake; Inviscid AI with
physics-informed models for faster, more accurate engineering simulation and optimisation; Quantum
Lock with quantum-based device integrity verification for critical infrastructure; and Arlula, the winner,
with Geostack, its SaaS platform automating satellite and drone imagery acquisition and cutting
turnaround from days to minutes.
Challenged by Experts, Backed by Investors
On stage, each founder faced sharp questioning from the Croc Pitch panel of experts: Alex Farrugia,
Investment Manager at Paspalis Capital; Steven Camilleri, Co-Founder and CTO of SPEE3D; and Wendy
Pritchard, Executive Director, Investment Opportunities at the Northern Territory Government.
Following the live pitches, the Paspalis Investment Committee selected Arlula for investment.
Alex Farrugia, Investment Manager at Paspalis Capital, said: “Northern Australia’s 5 million km²
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) remains under-monitored, with over $5 billion spent on aerial surveillance
alone. Arlula has the potential to multiply coverage and cut costs dramatically.”
Supported by the Territory’s Innovation Ecosystem
Now in its 7th year, Croc Pitch has become Northern Australia’s premier pitching competition — where
bold founders compete for a chance at up to $1 million in venture capital from the Paspalis Innovation
Investment Fund. All investments are subject to due diligence.
The event is hosted by the Darwin Innovation Hub, with support from Paspalis Capital (Major Sponsor),
the Northern Territory Government, Business Enterprise Centre NT, and Charles Darwin University.
Together, these partners are positioning the Northern Territory as a gateway for investment in
Northern Australia and the Asia Pacific, showcasing the North as a place where frontier technologies
can be tested, proven, and scaled to global markets.
Harley Paroulakis, CEO of Paspalis Capital, said: “This year’s Croc Pitch finalists showcased a high calibre
of deep-tech innovations. Arlula stood out by establishing the NT as a testbed for state-of-the-art orbital
intelligence with high-quality partners. Their well articulated value proposition further positions the
Territory on the global innovation map.”
*Subject to agreed terms of investment and due diligence.
