STARTMATE FIRST BELIEVERS

Start investing alongside the most active early-stage ANZ Startup investors

Startmate’s First Believers program isn't just theoretical, it's practical.

You’ll learn from the best early-stage investors in Australia and New Zealand, then have the exclusive opportunity to make real investment decisions with your own funds or through the Startmate Funds. Plus learn how to become the kind of startup mentor every founder wants – adding value beyond the funds you invest.

📌 Questions? Watch this overview with Ben (Investment Manager @ Startmate)
🚨 Cohort 10 applications are open. Spots are limited.

PROGRAM DATE:
Oct 26
-
Dec 19, 2025
Applications close:
11:59 pm
Sep 21

400

+

First Believers

45,000

+

investment decisions

$

20

M
+

invested

“Startmate’s track record of investment returns place it alongside the best in the world”

What do you get?

Join a community obsessed with backing and believing in the next generation of great founders.

You'll learn the craft of investing from world-class investors through the Startmate network, while simultaneously being exposed to 700+ early-stage startups. This is not about passively learning abstract concepts, it's about learning by doing - making real investment decisions on real companies with real outcomes.

Build your life-long investor network

Build your investing team directly with your 60 cohort members, while also tapping into our 400 strong alumni network of ex-founders, operators, investors and experts.

Unlock the biggest pool of deal flow

Review 700+ startups during the cohort, then get access to 1,000+ per year as an alumnus. We make it easy to see, review and decide on the best deals and founders.

Hone your decision-making and interviewing skills

Learn from experienced VCs and angel investors, vote on hundreds of investment decisions, and meet founders throughout the cohort.

Increase your impact

Startmate will catapult you to the centre of the ecosystem. You’ll see more deals than ever before, learn how to better invest and mentor and massively increase your impact.

Stay ahead in tech and AI

While everyone else plays catch-up, you’ll already know what’s coming and where to place your bets.

Past Speakers

Throughout the program you'll meet and learn from ANZ's top investors, founders and operators who are experts in angel investing.

Max Meyer
Principal @ Blackbird
Mason Yates
Principal @ Blackbird
Sophie Mao
Legal @ OIF Ventures
Kate Herbert
Founder @ Waggly Club
Silk Kadala
Investor @ Blackbird
Niki Scevak
Founder @ Blackbird & Startmate
Kim Teo
CEO & co-founder @ me&u (merged with Mr Yum)
Ali Tamaseb
General Partner @ DCVC

Are you the next First Believer?

Do you believe that great founders and great startups are the key to building a better future? If so, First Believers is for you. Whether you’re looking to write your first cheque, have already started investing, keen to mentor startups, or a founder ready to give back and be on the flipside of the coin, you’re in the right place.

Make a sizable impact on the world

We believe startups are the single most powerful way to build a better future. If you do too, then come learn the theory of investing and put it into practice.

Mentor and invest in the next gen of great founders

First Believers have front row seats in helping us select, mentor and invest in the next gen of Accelerator founders.

Connect directly with ANZ's best founders

Get insider access to Startmate’s deal flow, as well as opportunities to connect with founders.

9.2/10 from 250+ alumni reviews

Startmate gives virtually unlimited opportunity to see deal flow and build pattern recognition. Best education in the space you could imagine. Even seasoned investors would benefit.

Kim Burke

Wharf Road Investments - Director

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!

Verity Tuck

Co-founder @ LVLY

I couldn't recommend the First Believers program more highly - First Believers was not just an angel investing course, it was an invitation (with open arms) into the Australian angel investing and startup eco-system.

Steven Torresan

Head of Mergers & Acquisitions - International FINEX @ WTW

The enthusiasm of Ben, Brady, and Sam was brilliant; honestly, I think the community is the best thing.

Michael Godec

Managing Partner @ Calitii

I found the content especially strong in areas like the selection guide, the in-depth founder meeting guide, and the breakdown of legal terms. These provided clear, practical frameworks that really helped shape the thinking when assessing startups.

Sophie Wong Ping Lun

Commercial Finance Manager @ SEEK Investments

Fantastic program, with a well thought out schedule to help you in navigating the start up landscape. The facilitators were amazing - super enthusiastic, approachable, humble … whilst also pushing you to get hands on and lean into the experience.

Heather Paterson

GTM APJ @ Legora

First Believers is the must-do program for any aspiring or current angel investor. It took my understanding and connections within the ANZ startup ecosystem from 1 to 100. I could not recommend this program more highly to anyone who is keen to learn how to back aspiring founders.

Matt Herring

Partner @ KPMG

Deal flow, investor networks and the tools you need to be an angel investor

If you want to build confidence in making early-stage startup investments, better understand the investor lens, and put theory into practice alongside other ambitious investors and founders, First Believers is the place for you.

PROGRAM DATE:
7
Weeks
Oct 26
-
Dec 19
Cost:
$
5500
(INCL. GST)
"Startmate, Australia's unicorn factory..."

Frequently asked questions

Who is right for First Believers?

If you want to build confidence in making early-stage startup investments, better understand the investor lens, or build life-changing relationships with other ambitious investors and founders, First Believers is the place for you.

You don’t have to be a sophisticated investor. You don’t need to have money to invest today. You can join with or without any prior investing experience.

First Believers come from a range of backgrounds, including past founders, corporate venture capitalists, high-growth technology company employees, and ecosystem champions.

You might be:
- An exited founder or high-growth operator
- A family office lead, VC scout, or emerging fund manager
- A senior exec looking to expand into venture

If you are not sure that it’s the right fit, you can book a quick 15-min call with Ben Simai, our First Believer's Lead and Investment Manager, to talk it through.

How is Startmate different?

Startmate is the most active early-stage investor in Australia and New Zealand. We invest at the very beginning of a founder's journey, making us best-placed to help budding angel investors. We help founders to realise their bold ambitions every day. We’ve been accelerating founders for more than a decade and we want to open this world to you.

How is First Believers different?

Join a community obsessed with backing and believing in the next generation of great founders.

You'll learn the craft of investing from world-class investors through the Startmate network, while simultaneously being exposed to 700+ early-stage startups. This is not about passively learning abstract concepts. It's about learning by doing and making real investment decisions on real companies with real outcomes.

Alongside other First Believers, you'll refine and develop your investment strategy, establish clear next steps in your journey to investing, and be supported in realising them.

Investing is a decade-long journey. We’re building a community to be there with you every step of the way. You'll develop deep relationships with First Believers and be a part of a community for life.

How much does the program cost?

The First Believers program fee is $5,500 including GST.

This fee will only be invoiced after program acceptance. The fee can be paid upfront or via instalments.

We're committed to seeing better representation in the startup ecosystem, and we don't want financial limitations to be a prohibiting factor from participating in First Believers.

Startmate offers full and part scholarships for the First Believers program.

When does the program run?

The program runs twice a year.

Each cohort is made up of the top ~70-80 people who apply. These people come from a range of industries, locations and levels of experience.

What's the time commitment?

First Believers requires a time commitment of 2 full days in-person (in either Sydney or Melbourne), then 3 hours a week online, for the next 7 weeks.

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