STARTUP INVESTING PROGRAM · COHORT 12
Startmate's First Believers program isn't theoretical, it's practical. Learn the craft from ANZ's most active early-stage investors, make real investment decisions, and become the kind of mentor every founder wants.
In person
5–6 Oct Melbourne or
12–13 Oct Sydney
Online
2hrs weekly
for 8 weeks
Apply by
21 September
Cost
$5,500 inc. GST
invoiced after acceptance
First Believers
From 300+ alumni reviews
Invested
Companies invested in
What you'll do
You'll learn the theory, then use it inside Startmate's Accelerator selection process – reviewing real companies, meeting founders and forming your own view.
You'll be guided by Ben Simai and Sam Monkhouse.
01
Use Startmate's Spike Framework, Foundation Hypothesis and pitch-deck teardowns to understand what matters in an early-stage company.
02
Review 900+ real founder Accelerator applications, compare your thinking with the cohort and work through the evidence behind each company.
03
Interview founders, write recommendations and contribute to selection decisions, with experienced investors challenging your thinking along the way.
Learn From The Best // Past Speakers
Niki Scevak
Founder, Blackbird and Startmate
Sam Wong
General Partner, Blackbird
Ben Simai
Head of Investments, Startmate
Silk Kadala
Principal, Blackbird
Sam Monkhouse
Investment Associate, Startmate
Sarah-Jane Kurtini
Founder, Tiny Beans
Nicholas Crocker
Partner, Blackbird
Kristin Perchal
GenAI Group Product Lead, Canva
Ali Tamaseb
Author, Super Founders
Two days in person in Melbourne or Sydney.
“Being part of the selection and interview process was an amazing way to learn and grow. It felt so meaningful to actually be involved, and help support people's dreams.”
Mala Kennedy · First Believer
What we believe
Great founders are building a better future for Aussies and Kiwis. The boldest thing we can do is believe in them before anyone else.
Why Startmate
Startmate reviews thousands of companies a year and invests at the very start. First Believers puts you inside that process.
Startmate's portfolio to date
Companies Startmate was the first investor in
Combined value of Startmate portfolio companies
Raised by Startmate companies in the last six months
Backed first by Startmate
“Startmate's track record of investment returns places it alongside the best in the world.”
Who are first believers?
First Believers come from everywhere. Musicians, lawyers, consultants, doctors, bankers, engineers, founders, operators. Mixed rooms make better decisions, and the friendships outlast the program.
We proudly have alumni from...
Who it is for
First Believers is for people early in their investing journey who want practical experience and a better way to back founders.
We start with the fundamentals and build from there.
You want to mentor, advise, or invest in founders, and be helpful beyond capital.
You'll review companies, be challenged, ask questions, and build your own conviction.
Zero obligation to invest during the program.
After the program
A clearer way to assess startups, more confidence making decisions, and a group of people to keep learning and investing with.
“First Believers transformed me into an angel investor. It's part of my identity now... Being able to support Australia's newest founders is a huge privilege, sometimes I still pinch myself.”
Melissa Beaumont Lee
CEO · Skip Foundation
01
A repeatable way to read a team, an opportunity, and whether it can become massive.
02
Operators, founders and emerging investors who'll challenge your thinking and share opportunities.
03
The confidence to mentor, advise and interview, before and after you invest.
In their words
“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.”
Matt Herring
Partner · KPMG
“You'll be supported and stretched by Startmate's best, and find a cohort of angel investors for life.”
Victoria Taylor
NED · WaterNSW
“There's no school for this. You can expedite years of investing experience by becoming a First Believer.”
Antonio Thewissen
Marketing Director · Betashares
“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.”
Chenelle Tanglao
Investor · Trawalla Group
“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 · WTW
“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
VP of GTM, APJ · Legoraca
“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
Director · Wharf Road Investments
“My 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!”
Verity Tuck
CEO & Co-founder · Goldee
“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.”
Nick Sinclair
Marketing Director · DoorDash
Before you apply
People early in their investing journey who want practical experience. You might be an operator, founder, executive or ecosystem builder.
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.
About 5-10 minutes to apply. We read every one and come back to you. Offers go out on a rolling basis, so earlier is better. You're only invoiced once you accept.
Two full days in person, then about 2 hours a week online for eight weeks. All online sessions are recorded.
You don't need capital ready during the program – reviewing companies, interviewing founders and making real investment decisions doesn't depend on it. On allocation, we aim to reserve room in the Startmate funds for First Believers, but a place doesn't guarantee one, in the funds or in future company rounds.
Start applying everything you've learnt, in the real world with founders! You'll also join our alumni community. First Believers alumni are invited back to select every future cohort, twice a year. Many alumni go on to invest in, mentor and advise Aussie and Kiwi founders well into the future.
The next cohort
Apply below. We read every one, and we'd love to meet you.