# Startmate

> Startmate is a pre-seed investor, accelerator and community backing the most ambitious founders, operators and investors in Australia and New Zealand. Founded in 2010 by Niki Scevak, Startmate has invested in 300+ startups with a combined portfolio value of $4.5B+. HQ is in Surry Hills, Sydney, with an office in Cremorne, Melbourne.

Last updated: 21 October 2026

Key facts:

- Founded: 2010, by Niki Scevak (who went on to co-found Blackbird Ventures in 2012)
- Portfolio: 300+ startups, combined value $4.5B+
- Region: Australia and New Zealand. Founders need a strong connection to Australia or New Zealand; founders based overseas can apply, with in-person attendance for Week 0 in Melbourne, the mid-program IRL week and Demo Day week
- Stage: pre-seed. 67% of Accelerator companies had no revenue when they applied, and every cohort has included at least one idea-stage, pre-MVP company
- Sector focus: industry agnostic
- Founders: solo founders and teams are both welcome. Since 2021, 40% of Accelerator companies have had one or more women co-founders
- Offices: HQ in Surry Hills, Sydney (NSW); office in Cremorne, Melbourne (VIC)

## Programs

- [Startmate Accelerator](https://www.startmate.com/accelerator): 14-week accelerator for ANZ founders, run twice a year as a Summer and a Winter cohort. Startmate invests AUD $120,000 at a $1.5m post-money valuation (8%) for founders who haven't raised, or matches the terms and valuation of a prior round of AUD $250k+ from VCs or angels. Founders choose a SAFE or Startmate's participation in a priced round. No program fees. At least one founder must be full-time. Remote-first, with three in-person weeks: Week 0 in Melbourne, a mid-program IRL week and Demo Day week. Mentors invest their own money in the fund that invests in each company. Summer '27 applications close 11:59pm AEDT on Sunday 1 November 2026; the program runs 1 February to 7 May 2027.
- [First Believers](https://www.startmate.com/first-believers): startup investing program for people who want to learn to back early-stage founders. Two days in person in Melbourne or Sydney, then two hours a week online for eight weeks. Participants learn Startmate's frameworks, review real Accelerator applications, interview founders and contribute to selection decisions. Cohort 13 starts 19 to 20 April 2027 in Melbourne or 26 to 27 April 2027 in Sydney. The program fee is $5,500 including GST. Participants don't need capital ready during the program, and a place doesn't guarantee an investment allocation. 550+ alumni.
- [Student Founder Bootcamp](https://www.startmate.com/student-founder-bootcamp): two-day, in-person bootcamp in Sydney and Melbourne for university students, next running in March 2027. $200 including GST, with food and overnight accommodation included. Applications open November 2026. Participants form a team, take an idea to a first product and pitch Startmate's investment team. No prior experience needed. Top teams are offered a fast-tracked interview for the Accelerator; an interview is not an investment offer.
- [Demo Day](https://www.startmate.com/demo-day): the graduation night for each Accelerator cohort, where every founder pitches live to investors, operators and the ANZ startup community. The next Demo Day is Thursday 6 May 2027 in Sydney, when the Summer '27 cohort pitches. Past Demo Days are recorded and available on YouTube.

## How Startmate selects companies

Startmate looks for "spikes" rather than an absence of weaknesses. A company needs at least one unmistakable strength across five areas: Team (ambition, determination, connection to the problem), Progress (speed of traction), Invention (a new technology or significant leap), Unique Vision, or a product that is 10x better than the alternatives.

## Key pages

- [Home](https://www.startmate.com/)
- [About Startmate](https://www.startmate.com/about-us)
- [FAQ](https://www.startmate.com/faq): common questions about the programs and Startmate
- [Portfolio](https://www.startmate.com/portfolio): every company Startmate has invested in, filterable by cohort and sector
- [Team](https://www.startmate.com/team)
- [Mentors and advisors](https://www.startmate.com/mentors): become a mentor or advisor for an Accelerator cohort
- [Refer a founder](https://www.startmate.com/refer): refer a founder to the Accelerator
- [Invest](https://www.startmate.com/invest)
- [Partners](https://www.startmate.com/partners)
- [Get involved](https://www.startmate.com/get-involved)
- [All programs](https://www.startmate.com/offerings)
- [Writing](https://www.startmate.com/writing)

## Optional

- [Accelerator investment terms](https://www.startmate.com/writing/startmate-accelerator-investment-terms-101): full terms, including how prior valuations are matched
- [Startmate Spike Framework](https://www.startmate.com/writing/startmate-spike-framework): the five spikes, with examples
- [Accelerator application guide](https://www.startmate.com/writing/your-ultimate-guide-for-getting-through-the-first-round-of-the-startmate-accelerator): how the first round works and tips from mentors
- [Student Founder Bootcamp explainer](https://www.startmate.com/writing/what-is-the-student-founder-bootcamp): what the Bootcamp is and who it's for