WhiteHawk (ASX:WHK) Announces Australian Office and Strategic Novera Joint Venture

In a significant investor update, WhiteHawk Limited (ASX:WHK) has announced the establishment of its first Australian office in Perth, alongside the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Novera. This agreement establishes a WhiteHawk Australian Office Joint Venture focused on Australia’s growing cybersecurity market. The dual strategic move positions WhiteHawk to address the increasing demand for AI-integrated cybersecurity solutions across the APEC region.

The Perth office, which became operational on 10 November 2025, provides WhiteHawk with a permanent APEC regional base. This positioning allows the company to service Australian clients directly and maintain continuous collaboration with key partners, including Novera, DoxAI, and ECCOI. Furthermore, the new venture will address the critical intersection of cyber risk, data protection, and AI governance within the Australian market.

What does the new joint venture mean for investors?

WhiteHawk’s entry into Australia’s cybersecurity market represents a calculated expansion strategy, positioning the company at the intersection of cybersecurity and AI governance. These two rapidly converging market segments are currently experiencing significant regulatory and commercial momentum.

The Perth office provides WhiteHawk with direct access to Australian government procurement opportunities, which is particularly important given the country’s increasing focus on data sovereignty and AI governance frameworks. This timing potentially offers a first-mover advantage in AI-integrated cybersecurity governance solutions. In addition, the joint venture structure enables market entry with reduced financial risk, as both parties contribute expertise rather than significant upfront capital.

Giuseppe Porcelli, Executive Director and Head of Strategy at WhiteHawk, stated: “Since May 2025, we have been aligning WhiteHawk’s capabilities with Novera’s next-generation governance and regulatory expertise whilst establishing our full-time APEC presence in Australia.”

How will the WhiteHawk-Novera partnership create value?

The WhiteHawk Australian Office Joint Venture combines complementary expertise designed to address Australia’s unique cybersecurity and regulatory landscape. WhiteHawk contributes its proven AI-based Cyber Risk Assessment and Management Platform, whilst Novera provides deep expertise in corporate governance, compliance, and regulatory frameworks within Australia.

Under the MOU, the partners will co-develop an integrated cybersecurity and governance platform optimised for Australian organisations and government agencies. The collaboration specifically addresses cyber risk, data protection, and AI governance—areas becoming critical national and corporate priorities. This partnership empowers organisations to assess, monitor, and improve their cybersecurity posture while ensuring compliance with Australia’s governance and data protection requirements.

Key Joint Venture Contributions:

The venture will operate under a shared governance and ownership model proportionate to each party’s contribution, with both companies maintaining intellectual property rights to developments created through the collaboration.

Why is Australia strategic for WhiteHawk’s growth?

Australia presents unique market characteristics that align with WhiteHawk’s technology and growth strategy. The country’s regulatory environment creates mandatory demand for compliance solutions across government and enterprise sectors, particularly in relation to data governance and cybersecurity.

Novera’s APEC market knowledge provides WhiteHawk with the regulatory alignment necessary to serve Australian organisations effectively. This partnership extends beyond regulatory compliance to address emerging AI governance requirements.

Tony Vizza, Managing Partner of Novera, commented: “AI and cybersecurity are now inseparable. As organisations accelerate AI adoption, the need for secure, compliant, and transparent data frameworks and governance has never been greater and will continue to evolve.”

The Australian market serves as a validation ground for WhiteHawk’s technology before potential expansion into other APEC jurisdictions, with the WhiteHawk Australian Office Joint Venture providing a foundation for this regional expansion.

How will the venture handle Australian Privacy Principles?

A core strength of the partnership is its ability to address specific Australian regulations. Novera’s expertise in compliance standards, such as the Australian Privacy Principles (APP), will be integrated into the joint platform. This ensures that clients can manage their cyber risk within a framework that adheres to national data protection requirements, which is a critical factor for both government and corporate entities handling sensitive information.

What is the significance of APRA CPS 234 compliance?

For organisations regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), compliance with standards like APRA CPS 234 for information security is mandatory. The joint venture’s platform is designed to assist these entities in meeting their obligations by providing tools for assessing and managing information security risks. Novera’s deep understanding of this framework will guide the platform’s development, offering a targeted solution for the financial services sector.

What technology underpins WhiteHawk’s platform?

WhiteHawk is described as the first global online AI-based cybersecurity exchange, enabling businesses to prevent cybercrime through automated and scalable solutions. Its technology portfolio includes Cyber Risk Assessments and both Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) product lines.

The company’s 100% automated product lines include one-time or annual subscriptions that provide significant operational advantages by reducing manual compliance overhead. As AI becomes embedded in operations, cybersecurity for AI environments, data governance, and data sovereignty have emerged as critical priorities. WhiteHawk’s platform addresses these needs by integrating secure AI risk management and regulatory alignment into a cohesive framework.

How will the joint venture be structured?

This recent ASX announcement confirms the MOU establishes a framework for creating a formal Joint Venture entity that will manage ongoing intellectual property development, licensing, and commercialisation under shared governance. The structure allows both companies to validate market demand before committing significant capital.

Implementation Structure:

• Immediate Phase: Perth office operational, preliminary platform development.
• Development Phase: Integration of WhiteHawk’s platform with Novera’s governance expertise.
• Commercialisation Phase: Joint Venture formalisation and market launch.
• Expansion Phase: Evaluation of APAC region opportunities.

While preliminary groundwork has commenced, there are no financial obligations on either party until the definitive Joint Venture Agreement is finalised. The WhiteHawk Australian Office Joint Venture will manage ongoing IP development and commercialisation, with both parties retaining rights to developments created through the collaboration, ensuring equitable value creation.

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