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Put simply, we help you grow your early stage company much, much faster. Â Youâll spend 12 weeks laser-focused on your customer, building the best product and setting the foundations you need for exponential growth.
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Founders/peers who will become some of the most important people in your founding journey.
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Mentors who can unlock you, connect you, define your focus and keep you on track.
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Clear and simple investment terms - $120k, no hooks or surprises - and a bulletproof path to raising.
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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.
"I loved the community - not just the passionate fellows but all the inspiring mentors, itâs pretty crazy valuable."
"The best Australian program to meet liked minded individuals that have a passion from startups whilst in university!"
âThe biggest lesson was being really focused on specific metrics and being obsessed with customers.â
âThe impact of Startmate was that we wouldnât 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.â
âOur Startmate mentor squad absolutely accelerated us. It gave us the right backing to get us through the 12 weeks and beyond that.â
"The direct exposure to incredible industry professionals that are so generous and willing to share their learnings was so incredibly valuable. So grateful for the incredible community I am now a part of."
"This program is an essential prologue for anyone considering taking the leap into the growing ecosystem of Australian climate technology companies working towards sustainability and climate impact. Startmate's reach, network, and delivery are unrivalled, and I would recommend the program for specialists, generalists, and anyone determined to make a positive change."
"This fellowship was eye opening to the opportunities around us where we can make an impact. In particular it has motivated me to join the power-force Climate Tech community who are creating positive solutions to the climate problem!"
"The best thing about Ladymates Leadership is the instant connection to a support network of women, all navigating similar aspects of work and career. It's the brains trust we've all been missing! And such an uplifting part of my week."
âWhen 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.â
"I was really impressed with the overall value of this fellowship. Each week was jam packed with content and our speakers/advisors were so generous with their time. Jules and the Startmate team also did a standout job coordinating all of the moving parts. I would definitely recommend this fellowship to anyone wanting to enter the Climate Tech space but not sure where to start."
âWe had (and still have) lots to learn. Startmate creates an environment where youâre 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.â
"Joining Ladymates Leadership gives me the chance to connect with like-minded women, share our struggles, and learn how to handle new situations. I'm using this collective wisdom to help me do better in my role and support my community, while also becoming part of a new community of like-minded women."
âBuildmate has been a place to live and breathe the benefits of the Startmate community. All founders are on their own journey, and the accountability and ideas generated are invaluable to progressing.â
"First Believers is like getting thrown into the deep end of the pool -- with all your friends! Bad metaphors aside: whether you're in the beginning of your investing journey or a seasoned investor, the hands-on experience and the community at First Believers is truly incomparable. You learn quickly that investing is a team sport, and First Believers is one of the best teams!"
âI was working from a super low base from a knowledge perspective and didnât feel like a idiot at any point (rare!) content was super inclusive. WOW! I loved the HANDS ON EXPERIENCE. Actually getting to meet founders with real investment outcomes was an incredible way to apply knowledge immediately.â
"A great way to connect with other founders, swap advice and experience."
"I would recommend Launch Club to anyone out there who is strongly considering starting a company. The industry access, supportive community and expert advice is at a caliber that can only be found at Startmate. You will leave Launch Club with at least 5 different outcomes which push you closer to your goals, and are each worth the price of admission alone.â
âBuildmate offers founders a supportive environment with a like-minded cohort to keep you accountable and get sh*t done!â
"Was so fun! I loved the community aspect, it really feels like you are part of the âinâ group. The tips and takeaways can be applied instantly, which is great."
"Ladymates has reminded and reinforced for me the value in creating time to pause and actively think and reflect before choosing a course of action. This is a lesson I'm working to integrate more and more into my everyday decision making."
"Startmate is the go-to-program if you're exploring the start-up space, wondering if an idea would work and feeling frustrated for your next steps.The best part of the program? People. Through the program, I got connected to aspiring peers, coaches and industry leaders in the start-up ecosytem across Australia and New Zealand. It's so good to see you're not alone in pursuing entrepreneurship, and that you've a whole supportive community surrounding you. If you don't know where to start, start from Startmate."
"Not only did the fellowship equip me with skills and confidence to pivot my career into the startup ecosystem, it also introduced me to an incredible cohort of incredible, Â ambitious women. The startup ecosystem attracts some brilliant people, many of whom I have been lucky to meet."
âWe 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.â
âI loved the opportunity to be able to build around others trying just as hard to build their own successful startup ups. Bonding over the wins and the struggles was a game changer for me and my motivation to keep pushing my startup.â
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"The Startmate Fellowship was an amazing experience that exceeded all my expectations! The program provided invaluable resources and mentorship, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally. The opportunity to also belong to a community of like-minded entrepreneurs was truly invaluable and has helped me take my next step forwards with absolute confidence."
âLaunch Club gives you the momentum, connections and guidance you need to turn a problem into a business solution with serious potential - and fast! The resources and continued access to a community of the countries cleverest innovators and investors is truly invaluable.â
"If youâve ever wanted to start investing in the people who are building big things for the future and solving high-value problems but donât feel like youâd know where to start or feel there are barriers to getting involved, First Believers is for you. What youâll find is a powerful community of some of the most ambitious and open-minded investors, operators and founders in the world."
âApplying to Startmate was one of our best decisions to introduce Tutero into the Australian startup community.â
"The climate tech program was a whirlwind tour covering all aspects of this critical space and I loved meeting so many emerging and established climate leaders across Australia and New Zealand!"
"Startmate opens up opportunities within the startup ecosystem through a community found nowhere else."
âWhen we went through Startmate we had only a pilot factory that we didnât know how to run. Now weâre 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.â
"The Student Fellowship was such an incredible experience. I learnt so much about the start up space, made numerous new connections, learnt so many valuable insights from coaches and peers, and got to create and pitch a product that I was passionate about! Couldn't recommend it more to students interested in entrepreneurship and the startup realm."
âLove the connections we have made and super excited to see the other companies in the inaugural Buildmate program take off!â
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âI think a lot of people have an idea, and then they get paralysed about what to do. Launch Club provides really great clarity around the next steps.â
"The best thing has truly been meeting the amazing cohort of women. In terms of the content we've covered, it would be hard to pick just one thing - but I think the top two would probably be learning about my saboteurs and the workshop on difficult conversations. I've printed out the problems vs possibilities image and have it next to my computer as a reminder!"
"The Womenâs Fellowship over delivered! Â You can become a freaking genius about entering into the startup ecosystem but only if you DO THE WORK in the fellowship. Â And oh how it is worth it. Â The rewards are priceless. Â Make the Womenâs Fellowship apart of your daily habits for 8 weeks and you will be amazed. Â No joke."
âStartmate gives virtually unlimited opportunity to see deal flow and build pattern recognition. Â Best education in the space you could imagine. Â Even seasoned investors would benefit.â
"Love this whole concept. It really was an opportunity to be part of something very special at the outset. The learnings, personal growth and the friendships have been worth every second. I was seeking a community when I applied, but I ended up with so much more."
"I came into the Fellowship quite lost and not sure what I wanted to do. I left the Fellowship with a great new network of amazing women and with a much clearer picture of what I wanted to do with my life in the startup ecosystem. It really helped my clarify what I wanted, what was important to me and build my confidence.âš"
"I loved learning about all the amazing start ups doing incredible work as disruptors across NZ and Australia, and the people behind them! I feel very inspired by their drive to solve some of the most pressing social and environmental challenges of our time. Plus connecting with like-minded changemakers through the Fellowship who share a commitment to make a positive impact."
"The Startmate Women Fellowship was a rocket ship to developing my next career pivot. Great network, generous mentors and a kickass community of amazing women!"
"The startmate connections and community are great. It provides so many opportunities to meet amazing people during the program and continuously once the program is done."
"Launch Club is to aspiring or early-stage Founder community what Canva is to their tech stack: game-changing."
"The climate tech fellowship has been fantastic for allowing me to dive deep in a broad range of cleantech topics and to develop a network of like-minded individuals."
"First Believers is the must-do program for any aspiring or current angel investor. It took my understanding and connections within the start-up ecosystem from 1 to 100. I could not recommend this program more highly to anyone who is keen to learn more about the ANZ start-up ecosystem and how to back aspiring founders."
"I gained such a well-rounded, realistic insight into the Startup eco-system and what itâs like to run or work in a startup. If youâre at all curious, I couldnât recommend this program enough."
"First Believers transformed me into an Angel Investor. Itâs part of my identity now and I am thrilled. Being able to support Australiaâs newest Founders is a huge privilege, sometimes I still pinch myself. First Believers has been a pivotal life moment for me."
"Great to work and collaborate with other founders!"
âI 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 didnât 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 youâre ready to sell.â
"This program really opens doors! I really loved the practical and hand-on nature of the learning which was always geared toward action. It was an excellent way to take my knowledge from near-zero to hero in only 12 weeks."
"Loved the more casual convo style of our peer advisory groups - made it feel more like a group of friends sharing advice / tips with each other."
"I had such an incredible experience doing the women fellowship. It was such a supportive, caring, enthusiastic community that I feel very lucky to be part of. "
"The Startmate and Launch Club community is invaluable for an early-stage founder. I am a naturally skeptical person, but the program exceeded my expectations in content, involvement and community, and I feel dumb for ever doubting it"
6-8 hand-picked peers based on professional experience and stage in career journey.
Meet with them in-real-life. Tap into their collective knowledge. Overcome the challenges you face.Â
From navigating a predominantly male team to feedback on your decision-making to ideas on how to run an important meeting. Your advisory board will be your comrades to find a path through.
Learn more here.
Your role hub will be filled with peers in similar roles. Itâs your place to soundboard the challenges you face in your role. Share expertise and resources. Engage in regular discussions on the topics you need.
These will be your teammates to help tackle the hard stuff. Level-up alongside people who get it and are doing it too.
"Fantastic opportunity for networking with, and getting to learn from, exceptionally bright people in the industry."
âWeâve 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 elseâ
"Coaching is awesome. You absolutely get the most out of it by paying close attention to your peers because you learn while they talk."
"I loved how supportive the community was! Everyone wants to help each other and that is always a treat to behold."
"I read my list of reasons why âI am remarkableâ before interviews and it definitely reminds me how far Iâve come and how much I have to offer. Thanks Startmate for helping me get my mojo back!"
"Amazing opportunity to meet new people and to learn and grow out of my comfort zone!"
"A fantastic way to quickly understand what is happening in the Climate Tech space and meet some amazing likeminded people. The Fellowship definitely helped me secure my next job in the Climate Tech space"
âThe 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.â
"The quality of mentors and advisers was out of this world."
âI can remember just being absolutely disbelieving that we actually got in, I was running around the house screaming âthis is going to change our lives forever!...And it has.â
Studies reveal that men frequently overestimate their abilities and performance, while women underestimate both. Men are 60% more likely to consider themselves confident in their profession compared to women.
Confidence isnât something you are born with or just âhaveâ, itâs something you need to develop. The first masterclass will help you do this.
Rachel Lounds, founder and CEO of Rachel Lounds Coaching, SydneyÂ
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Anna Meirelles, coach and facilitator at the Coach Place, Melbourne
âMy experience on the First Believers program was beyond expectations. First Believers provided an inclusive, expansive community to share and explore how to get involved in angel investing. The SM team were awesome. No BS, no egos, just great people. Would highly recommend!â
"I've met so many amazing, ambitious and inspiring women in this program. Would highly recommend."
"The Startmate ClimateTech Fellowship is a fantastic opportunity to get across the ClimateTech landscape. It covers a comprehensive suite of topics across 8 weeks of interactive sessions with industry experts. I loved being a part of the inaugural cohort where I found myself surrounded by a like-minded community of passionate individuals committed to addressing the pressing challenge of climate change."
"Loved this program - a great way to meet new people and learn a ton of new things. Resparked my passion for startups!"
"Having a supportive community is paramount to building a successful business. Joining Launch Club has granted me access to an incredible community, and I am filled with great enthusiasm as I embark on my startup journey, knowing that I am surrounded by invaluable support and expertise!"
"Startmate Student Fellowship is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime, life changing experience. My mindset, ability to network, courage to found a start-up idea with other passionate individuals grew so much that is beyond how much I could have imagined. It's the best community I have ever been in!"
"I've been coming away from every session with tangible, practical advice to tackle my biggest challenges from people who've actually been through it before or are currently navigating the same thing. Plus, it's been really special to meet such an awesome group of women."
Our belief in you changes what you (and others) think youâre 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. Weâll push you, but weâll also be your biggest champions forever - weâll 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. Youâll spend 12 weeks having some of the most pivotal conversations of your startupâs life. Youâll be laser focused on listening, learning and building a product that your customers really, really want.
Founders need other founders
Being a founder can be incredibly lonely. The most powerful thing that will happen to you at Startmate is that youâll 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.
We invest in your potential
Youâre never too early. You can be pre-product, pre-customers, pre-revenue - weâre here for it. Weâre industry agnostic, we donât 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).
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. Youâll have a squad of mentors who are deeply connected with the problem youâre solving.
Youâll stand on the shoulders of the best startup community in ANZ
Weâve curated a community of 3,500+ of ANZâs best founders, operators and investors. Youâll plug in to the very centre of this universe. Your unfair advantage is that youâll 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.
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.
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We're industry agnostic.
âWe'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.
â67% 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.
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We strive for equal representation.
âDiversity builds smarter solutions. Since 2021, 40% of our companies have 1 or more women co-founders.
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Startmate invests:
The Accelerator currently runs twice per year: Summer (January-April) and Winter (July-October).
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.
Youâre still a great fit for the program! Weâve invested in startups with angel, pre-seed, and seed funding. The programâs 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.
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.Â
This means you can participate from anywhere in the world. However, itâs worth noting that we have designed the program to be especially time-zone friendly to Australia and New Zealand.
On average, the time commitment for sessions is 2-4 hours per week. Each week you will have a one hour mandatory âAll Handsâ 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.Â
Important: In Week 0, there are 3 days in-person and in Week 12, 2-3 days to prepare for Demo Day.
You can read about the application questions and top tips for your application here!
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.
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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.
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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.
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Stage 3 - in depth interview (1h) - remote
Finally, youâve got an hour in-depth interview with 3-4 of our mentors including a Startmate team member. Here weâre going deep into your product, vision and any open questions from the previous rounds.
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:
Think you may be too early? You are probably not! Apply to our Accelerator and also apply to our pre-accelerator called Launch Club.
Get to know our Alumni and connect with them directly through the Brdg link