Launch Club

Since 2021, 13% (5/39) of Accelerator companies have come through Launch Club. Keep reading to learn more about the companies and what made them stand out.

Ever had an idea that you were irrationally obsessed with? A brainchild so brilliant, it held the key to solving a big, hairy audacious problem, yet left you wondering: how do I start? Olivia Dyet found herself here. Then she decided to apply to Startmate’s Launch Club program. In a whirlwind of weeks, she validated and breathed life into their idea for Empathix, an AI-powered recruitment platform, and secured a highly coveted spot in Startmate’s upcoming Accelerator cohort. Here’s here extraordinary journey. 

Interested in one of Startmate's founder programs, but not sure where to start? We've broken it down for you here.

Why joining Launch Club will be the best thing you do as an aspiring or early stage founder.

It takes a village to raise a child. Likewise, it takes a village to build a startup. Launch Club is a golden ticket into the Starmate village – a buzzing, vibrant, ever-innovative and inspiring village. Launch Club fast-tracks and amplifies your village by creating connections with people who just like are at the beginning of their startup journey and looking to build their community. And You gain access to the knowledge, feedback and first-hand experience from some of the most successful and influential founders, operators and investors in ANZ's startup ecosystem.

Startmate Launch Club is the ultimate catalyst for early-stage startups, offering unparalleled opportunities to kickstart and propel your venture forward. It demystifies the startup journey and makes it accessible to aspiring entrepreneurs. Ultimately, the indispensable insights from each of the sessions and speakers provide you with business knowledge that is adaptable and beneficial for any career path.

University students Kai Van Lieshout and Linus Talacko are using AI to create a new kind of grad job: startup founder.‍The second and third-year university students are the creators of Lyrebird Health, Australia's first and most widely used AI assistant for allied healthcare practitioners. ‍Lyrebird took out the top prize in a two-week hackathon in the Startmate Student Fellowship, a national program challenging a generation of young people to look to startups as an alternative career path. ‍Following this mighty win, Kai and Linus got a one-way ticket to Launch Club, where they spent the next ten weeks validating their idea, talking to customers and preparing for launch. 

Reflecting on my 11-week rollercoaster through Startmate's inaugural Launch Club fellowship, I can't help but marvel at how pivotal the experience has been. Shaking off the cocoon of my solo venture, I found a vibrant community that championed honesty, vulnerability, and camaraderie. Startmate, “the Y Combinator of Australia” as I affectionately dub them, has crafted an experience that makes the daunting task of starting and founding a startup feel accessible, inspiring, and exciting.