It’s a common misconception that you have to be technically minded to work at a startup. This is simply not true. Whether you’re studying arts, engineering, music, science, law, business or anything in between, the Student Fellowship can help you determine whether a career in startups is the right fit for you.

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Our Student Fellows come from all backgrounds, experiences and walks of life. However, they are all:

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• Curious about the possibility of a career in the startup world;
• Tenacious and willing to create their own opportunities;
• Fast-moving individuals who thrive in chaos and uncertainty;
• Problem-solvers who love finding creative solutions; and
• Team players looking to make authentic connections and join a community for life.

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We’re especially interested in you if you would like to work in, found, or invest in startups in the future (or now)!

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All university students are welcome to apply, regardless of age, race, disability, cultural background, gender or sexuality.

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The Student Fellowship runs for 2 weeks, during which time Fellows team up and found a startup.

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From coming up with a startup idea, testing and refining it, validating it with customers and pitching the finished product at the end of the program. And if you’ve already got an idea or started talking to customers - great!

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You’ll also be added to a talent pool that will open you up to internship and job opportunities at Australian and New Zealand startups.

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And the journey doesn't end after 2 weeks. Our Student Fellows join Startmate’s community of operators, founders and investors for life, and make meaningful connections with other ambitious, passionate students and coaches from all over the country.

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Check out this program reflection from Summer23 cohort student fellow, Melody Wu.

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Sessions will run in the evenings, with occasional lunchtime optional check-ins.

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With approximately 15 hours of content across the program, come prepared for an intense and transformative learning and networking experience. You’ll get out what you put in!

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Sessions will be recorded and available after the program ends, but you will get the most out of the program if you can attend the live sessions.

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In general, the program follows a set operating cadence. Live sessions will run after work hours:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 5-7PM AEST

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****In addition to the content sessions, there will also be Friday in-person drinks in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as regular catch-ups with your founding team and Coach.

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Depending on your own bandwidth and personal objectives, you can then scale up from there - dive into bonus resources, connect with other Fellows & Coaches, build your network, etc.

The Student Fellowship is a two-week bootcamp that runs twice a year during the winter and summer student holidays.

Content and resources are entirely virtual, and there are in-person socials.

Each cohort is made up of about 150-300 students and recent graduates (up to six months post-graduation).

See this page for all scholarship criteria.

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Absolutely. Startmate is connected with most startups and tech companies in Australia and New Zealand. Over 60% of Student Fellows have landed roles within startups. 

Having experience working on a startup is incredibly valued by other founders and early-stage startup hiring managers. You’ll gain hands-on experience you can use as an asset in the hiring process.

If you’re keen just to see what’s already out there and available, check out our Talent Engine for startup jobs across Australia and New Zealand.

You’re not here because you already know what you want to do in your career. You’re here precisely because you don’t.

It’s not about “is this right for me?”

It’s about “how else am I going to find out if it is?!”

This is an opportunity to try something new, experiment, and have fun along the way. 

The Student Fellowship is a safe space to try on new ideas, share feedback, celebrate wins and lean on each other throughout it all.

So do you need to come in with an idea? Business model? Prototype? Paying customers? Money in the bank? No.

Come as you are, and be excited by what you’ll become.

You must be 18+ to take part in the Student Fellowship.