Startmate Accelerator

Are you ready to take your startup to the next level?

The Startmate Accelerator multiplies your growth. In 3 months you'll move faster than you ever thought possible, build a better product with more users, and get the best platform in ANZ to raise capital.

📆

Program Dates: JAN 15–APR 17 (12 WEEKS)

Program Dates:
JAN 15–APR 17 (12 WEEKS)

✏️

Applications Close: 11:59PM NOV 12

Applications Close:
11:59PM NOV 12

W22

Raised $1.3M Pre-Seed to roll out insurance-at-checkout vision.

SM12

Raises $72 million Series B to help property managers, lenders and investors make better management decisions.

NZ20

Raises Series A to take its electric boat motors global.

SYD17

Raised $170M Series B to accelerate the manufacture and distribution of its energy efficient, long-range WiFi chips.

S21

Raised $24M Series A to end the world's reliance on petroleum-based plastic packaging.

SM12

Raised $25M Series B to provide comprehensive cyber security risk assessments.

MEL19

Raised $1.28M Seed to make the fashion industry more sustainable with their unique circular wardrobe.

SM13

Raises $30M in Series D to expand its bug bounty platform.

S21

Raises $8M Seed to replace plastics with seaweed.

MEL18

Raises $17.8M Series A helps people with chronic conditions learn to manage their health.

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Applications close 11:59PM NOV 12 for the Summer'24 cohort

Register interest for the next cohort

Apply nowRegister interest

Startmate has invested in 220+ companies that are worth $2 billion combined.

What is the
Startmate Accelerator?

Put simply, we help you grow your early stage company much, much faster.  You’ll spend 12 weeks laser-focused on your customer, building the best product and setting the foundations you need for exponential growth.

🚀

Founders/peers who will become some of the most important people in your founding journey.

🧠

Mentors who can unlock you, connect you, define your focus and keep you on track.

💸

Clear and simple investment terms - $120k, no hooks or surprises - and a bulletproof path to raising.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Access to thousands of pre-vetted, talented operators hungry to join a high-growth startup

50%

Companies raise capital post-accelerator program.

$1.8m AUD

The median round size of companies that raised equity rounds post-accelerator in the past 2 years.

9.2/10 program rating
from 250+ alumni reviews.

Alexandra De Bonis

Co-founder @ Workyard

Alexandra De Bonis

Co-founder @ Workyard

“The biggest lesson was being really focused on specific metrics and being obsessed with customers.”

Andy Miller

Co-founder and CEO @ Heaps Normal

Andy Miller

Co-founder and CEO @ Heaps Normal

“The impact of Startmate was that we wouldn’t have achieved any of this without going through the Accelerator. The Accelerator stretched expectations of what was possible of ourselves as founders and our business in a short period of time. It helped us grow momentum by practising good habits as founders and put us in front of mentors who had the belief and means to help us scale our business.”

Anvil Serg Bañez

Founder & CEO @ Dennisson Technologies

Anvil Serg Bañez

Founder & CEO @ Dennisson Technologies

“Our Startmate mentor squad absolutely accelerated us. It gave us the right backing to get us through the 12 weeks and beyond that.”

Billy Jeremijenko

Co-founder & CEO @ Aquila

Billy Jeremijenko

Co-founder & CEO @ Aquila

“When we applied to Startmate we didn't have much more than an idea, if you're in a similar position, go for it anyways. You can get into Startmate regardless of where you are in your journey. I think what really helped us was being very clear about our ambition and where we wanted to take our technology and showing it was possible on a very small scale.”

Cara Davies

Co-founder @ Steppen

Cara Davies

Co-founder @ Steppen

“We had (and still have) lots to learn. Startmate creates an environment where you’re challenged and can take growth to the next level. Specifically, as first-time founders, Jake and I knew we had tonnes to learn, and were looking for mentors in product, investor relations and strategy.”

Jarman Stephens

Co-founder @ gridmo

Jarman Stephens

Co-founder @ gridmo

“We were fortunate enough to be accepted into the new Smartmate accelerator program and went through a pretty intense 12 weeks which was, honestly, life changing.”

Joey Moshinsky

Co-Founder & Joint CEO @ Tutero

Joey Moshinsky

Co-Founder & Joint CEO @ Tutero

“Applying to Startmate was one of our best decisions to introduce Tutero into the Australian startup community.”

Julia Kay

Co-CEO and Co-founder @ Great Wrap

Julia Kay

Co-CEO and Co-founder @ Great Wrap

“When we went through Startmate we had only a pilot factory that we didn’t know how to run. Now we’re a team of 30 manufacturing 100,000 rolls of compostable stretch wrap every day. Startmate was incredible for us. It really helped build out our network and be surrounded by founders going through the same challenges, and we still use that network today. We wish we could go through it again.”

Neil Mans

Co-founder & CTO @ ZeroJet

Neil Mans

Co-founder & CTO @ ZeroJet

“I remember thinking most of the mentors were nuts. They were pushing us to take a product to market before we had even designed it. I didn’t understand how you could do that. They pushed us so hard to get out there and sell to customers. That was the best advice that I was ever given: sell before you’re ready to sell.”

Rory San Miguel

Co-founder and CEO @ Propeller Aero

Rory San Miguel

Co-founder and CEO @ Propeller Aero

“We’ve done Startmate twice now. Startmate helps you turn you into someone who can run a company. Having some forcing us to talk to 100 customers per week… you won't have that pressure anywhere else”

Steph Skevington

Co-founder @ Butter

Steph Skevington

Co-founder @ Butter

“The Accelerator is a really competitive program and a lot is asked from you during this program, but knowing that will allow you make the most out of the opportunity, whether that means investment, mentors, or connections.”

Tracie Thompson

CEO & Co-founder @ Hackhunter

Tracie Thompson

CEO & Co-founder @ Hackhunter

“I can remember just being absolutely disbelieving that we actually got in, I was running around the house screaming ‘this is going to change our lives forever!...And it has.”

How do we give you an
unfair advantage?

💫

Our belief in you changes what you (and others) think you’re capable of.

We hear it time and time again: having someone who sees something in you that no one else does is a powerful ambition raiser. We’ll push you, but we’ll also be your biggest champions forever - we’ll continue to invest in you every time you raise through our auto-deploy Continuity fund. Having the Startmate brand behind you will be a stamp of approval to every potential investor or employee you meet.

❤️‍🔥

Relentless focus on what is most important

The Accelerator is defined by customer obsession. You’ll spend 12 weeks having some of the most pivotal conversations of your startup’s life. You’ll be laser focused on listening, learning and building a product that your customers really, really want.

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Founders need other founders

Being a founder can be incredibly lonely. The most powerful thing that will happen to you at Startmate is that you’ll work alongside some of the most ambitious founders of this generation who are facing the same challenges you are. These founders will become some of the most important people in your journey.

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We invest in your potential

You’re never too early. You can be pre-product, pre-customers, pre-revenue - we’re here for it. We’re industry agnostic, we don’t care about your CV, and we have one of the most gender-diverse portfolios in ANZ (40% women co-founded companies across the last 6 cohorts).

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World-class mentors in your corner

Our mentors invest their own money in the fund that directly invests in you, meaning they will run through brick walls to see you succeed. You’ll have a squad of mentors who are deeply connected with the problem you’re solving.

💪

You’ll stand on the shoulders of the best startup community in ANZ

We’ve curated a community of 3,500+ of ANZ’s best founders, operators and investors. You’ll plug in to the very centre of this universe. Your unfair advantage is that you’ll get the first pick of the best fresh talent through our fellowships and a warm intro to any VC, angel investor, or mentor you need.

World-class mentors in your corner.

Unlike most other accelerators, the $120k we invest in your startup comes directly from our mentor community. This means every mentor has skin in the game and is personally invested in seeing you succeed.

Check out our
track record

  • 50% of companies raise post-accelerator
  • Startups raise an average of $1.8mil. off the back of the accelerator

Are you a wildly ambitious founder and pre Series A fundraise?
The Accelerator is for you.

🙏

We're industry agnostic.

We've invested in companies spanning an insanely diverse range of industries. From ed-tech, health-tech, prop-tech and climate-tech to space-tech, fin-tech and legal-tech.

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You're never too early.

67% of Accelerator companies had no revenue when they appliedand every cohort has had at least one company that is idea-stage and pre-MVP.

👭

We strive for equal representation.

Diversity builds smarter solutions. Since 2021, 40% of our companies have 1 or more women co-founders.

Are you a wildly ambitious founder and pre Series A fundraise?
The Accelerator is for you.

🙏

We're industry agnostic.
We've invested in companies spanning an insanely diverse range of industries. From ed-tech, health-tech, prop-tech and climate-tech to space-tech, fin-tech and legal-tech.

💪

You're never too early.
67% of Accelerator companies had no revenue when they applied and every cohort has had at least one company that is idea-stage and pre-MVP.

👭

We strive for equal representation.
Diversity builds smarter solutions. Since 2021, 40% of our companies have 1 or more women co-founders.

Apply for the upcoming
Startmate Accelerator

If you’re ready to move faster than you ever thought possible, build a better product with more users, and get the best platform in ANZ to raise capital, apply for the Startmate Accelerator. 

📆

Program Dates:
JAN 15–APR 17 (12 WEEKS)

Program Dates: JAN 15–APR 17 (12 WEEKS)

✏️

Applications Close:
11:59PM NOV 12

Applications Close: 11:59PM NOV 12

What you’ll get out of the Accelerator 
  1. Investment: We invest AUD 120k in each company so that all your energy is focused on building your startup.
  2. Founder friends: You’ll be surrounded by a cohort of equally ambitious founders on the same journey.
  3. Pitch perfect: We’ll tear your pitch deck to shreds and by the end of the Accelerator you’ll have a bulletproof deck ready for investors.
  4. Launch your startup to the world: Pitch your startup to an audience of thousands at Demo Day.
  5. A product people want: You’ll spend 12 weeks laser-focused on your customer, how you can improve your product and the results to drive meaningful growth
  6. Mentorship: You’ll be partnered with ANZ’s most successful founders, operators and investors who have skin in the game and will run through brick walls to see you succeed 
  7. SME: We’ll connect you with subject matter experts who can provide tailored industry advice on how to approach your business
  8. Community: You’ll gain access to ANZ’s largest startup community of founders, operators and investors who are ready to support you on your journey.  
  9. World-class talent pool: Within our 2000+ startmate fellowship alumni are the hires you need to take your startup to the next level at your fingertips: pre-vetted, upskilled, and hungry to join a high-growth startup. 
  10. The best platform in ANZ to raise capital: Having the Startmate brand behind you will be a stamp of approval to every potential investor or employee you meet.

Frequently asked questions

You are never too early

Our goal is to find and fund the most ambitious early-stage founders in ANZ. This means we invest in pre-product founders. Generally, our early-stage founders usually meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Have a problem they want to solve & are ready to go full-time
  • Started building an MVP or proof of concept
  • Have built an MVP or proof of concept
  • Have paying customers
  • Are pre-Series A

Think you may be too early? You are probably not! Apply to our Accelerator and also apply to our pre-accelerator called Launch Club.

How do we select which companies make it into the program?

Startmate Accelerator selection is a 3 step process over the course of 3 weeks at the end of which we make an offer to join the cohort.

Stage 1 - online application + 3mins video (~1h)

Each application is reviewed by at least 3 mentors independently. Mentors are all personally invested in the fund and are looking for the founders who stand out the most - connection to the problem, size of ambition, customer conversations etc.

Stage 2 - round robin interviews (2.5h) - remote

At this stage you get to meet 10 mentors in 10mins back to back conversations. This is a high energy fast speed interview round that allows you to really hone the story of your company.

Stage 3 - in depth interview (1h) - remote

Finally, you’ve got an hour in-depth interview with 3-4 of our mentors including a Startmate team member. Here we’re going deep into your product, vision and any open questions from the previous rounds.

Where can I see a copy of the application questions?

You can read about the application questions and top tips for your application here!

What is the time commitment?

On average, the time commitment for sessions is 2-4 hours per week. Each week you will have a one hour mandatory “All Hands” session with your cohort. The rest of the sessions are completely optional. You can pick and choose which sessions will be most valuable to you.

Important: In Week 0, there are 3 days in-person and in Week 12, 2-3 days to prepare for Demo Day.

Is the program online or in person?

Most of the program is virtual, with the exception of Week 0 which is in-person and held in either Melbourne or Sydney, and Demo Day, also in-person in Melbourne or Sydney.

This means you can participate from anywhere in the world. However, it’s worth noting that we have designed the program to be especially time-zone friendly to Australia and New Zealand.

What if I’ve raised capital already?

You’re still a great fit for the program! We’ve invested in startups with angel, pre-seed, and seed funding. The program’s laser focus on customer feedback and market validation is incredibly relevant to companies that are looking to scale. Additionally, handpicked mentors in your corner helping you address challenges as they arise continues to be invaluable for more established teams.

Do I need to be full-time on my startup?

Yes, one of the cofounders does. We will only commit if you're committed. That's why we invest $120k: so you can focus 100% on solving the problem and moving the metrics that matter, week on week.

When does the program run?

The Accelerator currently runs twice per year: Summer (January-April) and Winter (July-October).

What are Startmate investment terms?

Startmate invests:

  • AUD $120k on an AUD $1.5m post-money valuation for founders who have not raised at least AUD $200k previously; or
  • AUD $120k, matching the last valuation for founders who have previously raised at least AUD $200k at that valuation.

Get to know our Accelerator Alumni

Get to know our Alumni and connect with them directly through the Brdg link

Join a community that will help you go from idea to IPO

🔥

Hiring

We have over 3000+ of ANZ’s most talented operators in our community. Our incredible Startmate fellows are hungry to join a high-growth startup and ready to support you on your journey.

🔥

Investors

We have built an army of over 250 early stage investors who are inspired by your commitment to changing the world. They are here, ready to be your First Believers, and invest.

🔥

Funding

We invest in you from day one and continue to believe in you forever after. This is a unique fund in ANZ that automatically invests all Startmate pro-rata for our alumni, which means you can go into your fundraising conversations already knowing you have the Startmate pro-rata committed

Essential Reading

Apply for the upcoming
Startmate Accelerator

If you’re ready to move faster than you ever thought possible, build a better product with more users, and get the best platform in ANZ to raise capital, apply for the Startmate Accelerator. 

📆

Program Dates: JAN 15–APR 17 (12 WEEKS)

✏️

Applications Close: 11:59PM NOV 12

What you’ll get out of the Accelerator 
  1. Investment: We invest AUD 120k in each company so that all your energy is focused on building your startup.
  2. Founder friends: You’ll be surrounded by a cohort of equally ambitious founders on the same journey.
  3. Pitch perfect: We’ll tear your pitch deck to shreds and by the end of the Accelerator you’ll have a bulletproof deck ready for investors.
  4. Launch your startup to the world: Pitch your startup to an audience of thousands at Demo Day.
  5. A product people want: You’ll spend 12 weeks laser-focused on your customer, how you can improve your product and the results to drive meaningful growth
  6. Mentorship: You’ll be partnered with ANZ’s most successful founders, operators and investors who have skin in the game and will run through brick walls to see you succeed 
  7. SME: We’ll connect you with subject matter experts who can provide tailored industry advice on how to approach your business
  8. Community: You’ll gain access to ANZ’s largest startup community of founders, operators and investors who are ready to support you on your journey.  
  9. World-class talent pool: Within our 2000+ startmate fellowship alumni are the hires you need to take your startup to the next level at your fingertips: pre-vetted, upskilled, and hungry to join a high-growth startup. 
  10. The best platform in ANZ to raise capital: Having the Startmate brand behind you will be a stamp of approval to every potential investor or employee you meet.