In May, we're excited to announce that Startmate is heading back to San Francisco.
The trip revives a long-standing tradition within the Accelerator program that dates back to 2011. For nearly a decade, founders from each cohort travelled to Silicon Valley at the end of the program to meet US venture capitalists, connect with Aussie founders already building in the Valley, and broaden their ambition for what companies built from ANZ could achieve globally.
Now, after a six-year pause, the trip is back.
A tradition that helped shape global ANZ founders
Since 2011, we have invested in more than 300 startups that are now cumulatively valued at over $4.5 billion.
While the structure of the Accelerator has evolved over time, its core premise remains the same: a 12 week program pairing hungry, early-stage founders with experienced mentors, operators and investors to dramatically increase their chances of building successful companies.
For much of Startmate’s history, the final chapter of the program happened in San Francisco.
The trip provided an opportunity to meet investors, visit leading startups, and gain insight into how competitive US companies operate. It also exposed them to the scale of ambition required to build global technology businesses.
Several of our most successful alumni were part of those early trips. Cybersecurity company Bugcrowd, part of the 2013 cohort, travelled to San Francisco during the Accelerator. Years later, the company had established its own office in the city, one that went on to host visiting Startmate founders from newer cohorts as the network continued to grow.
The tradition was paused in 2020 when COVID-19 halted international travel.
Why now
For founders building global technology companies, the US remains one of the largest and most important markets across industries.
“Startmate founders aim to build global companies from day one, and the San Francisco trip helps connect ANZ’s world-class builders with the opportunities, networks and customers needed to do that.” Emma Grife, Head of Founders at Startmate.
At the same time, the rapid evolution of AI and emerging technologies has once again placed San Francisco at the centre of global startup momentum.
Despite being just one (long) plane ride away, many Australian founders still have limited exposure to the networks concentrated in Silicon Valley. Being physically present in the city allows founders to rapidly expand those networks; meeting potential investors, customers and partners in person.
In a city like San Francisco, founders can meet investors, potential customers and other builders within a few blocks. Many of the most valuable conversations happen through serendipitous introductions or chance in-person meetings.
We are seeing increasing interest from global investors in Australian and New Zealand startups who are looking beyond the US for breakout companies.
Many firms recognise the next category-defining company could come from anywhere. That shift in thinking is exciting for founders building in Australia.
Recent examples are already emerging. Startmate S25 alumni company Fluency recently raised its seed round from Silicon Valley venture capital firm Accel and relocated its headquarters to San Francisco.
What founders can expect
The May trip will follow Startmate’s flagship Sydney Demo Day (30 April), where the latest Accelerator cohort presents their companies to the ANZ startup ecosystem.
From there, a group of founders from the Summer 2026 accelerator cohort, alongside selected alumni founders, will travel to San Francisco for a week of events and meetings.
The itinerary will include:
- Fireside chats with US venture capitalists
- Opportunity to pitch to top US firms
- Visits to leading startups
- Small group sessions with Australian founders currently building in the Valley
- A first-of-its-kind Startmate Demo Day in San Francisco, introducing the cohort to US investors
The goal is simple: expand founders’ networks, open doors to global capital and customers, and continue building the bridge between the ANZ startup ecosystem and Silicon Valley.
Startmate will share updates from the trip across its channels throughout May.
