Ladymates Collective

Women in startups.

Ladymates Collective is a highly-vetted membership where women connect and grow.

You'll accelerate your career through skill-building masterclasses, social events, peer advisory groups, mentorship, and access to a powerful network.

đŸ’Œ Out of your budget? Consider chatting to your employer about L&D! Here is a template.

👀 Already in a leadership role? No worries, check out Ladymates Leadership!

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Applications open:
Early/mid 2024 with rolling intakes

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Membership dates: Ongoing, with quarterly intakes

Program Dates:
Ongoing, with quarterly intakes

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Applications for Intake Close: 9 December 2024

Applications Close:
9 December 2024

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Meet peers in similar roles 

Ever wondered what on earth you’re doing in your role? Ever wished you could see how others had approached a similar problem? You are not alone.

You’ll be connected to a community of women in a similar role and career stage. This is your unfair advantage to navigate work and life challenges together. 

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Learn from industry leaders

Gain practical skills you can implement immediately to supercharge your career in tech. We’ll tailor the topics to your needs and switch up the delivery mode to keep it engaging.

From in-person hands-on workshops with leading startup operators to ask-me-anything sessions with women two steps ahead of you, you’ll be growing and having fun while doing it. 

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Accelerate your career

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Ladymates Collective is designed to add jet fuel to your career. You’ll set yourself up for promotions, nail the projects you’re owning, be the first to know when companies are hiring, and gain the tools you need at the time you need them.

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Register for Startmate International Women’s Day

Register interest

Meet some of the incredible women in our community

What will you get from the
‍Ladymates Collective?

Ladymates Collective tailored membership for women who want to excel in their startup career. Just like a gym membership, it's an investment in your personal and professional development that will help you strengthen skills, build confidence and grow in your role.

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Includes:

🧠 Peer advisory groups: Monthly. In-person. Small groups at a similar level. Learn more here.
🏆 Masterclasses: Biquarterly. Mix of virtual & in-person. Skill-building workshops.
đŸ› ïž Role-based peer groups: Quarterly. Virtual. Small groups in similar roles.
👯 Social gatherings: Quarterly. In-person.

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In-person events will be held in Sydney and Melbourne. Keen to join but aren't based in those cities? Submit an Expression of Interest

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‍Time commitment? Approx 2-3 hours per month.

Apply now

Are you a wildly ambitious founder and pre Series A fundraise?
‍The Accelerator is for you.

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We're industry agnostic.

‍We've invested in companies spanning an insanely diverse range of industries. From ed-tech, health-tech, prop-tech and climate-tech to space-tech, fin-tech and legal-tech.

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You're never too early.

‍67% of Accelerator companies had no revenue when they appliedand every cohort has had at least one company that is idea-stage and pre-MVP.

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We strive for equal representation.

‍Diversity builds smarter solutions. Since 2021, 40% of our companies have 1 or more women co-founders.

Who is the Ladymates Collective for?

For professional women working in tech.

You're passionate and ambitious when it comes to your career.

You wish you knew more women in similar roles to you.

You want more female role-models who can shed light on how they got where they did.

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Other options:

🩋 In a Leadership role? Check out Ladymates Leadership

🚀 Want to get a job in startups? Check out the Women Fellowship

Peer Advisory Groups

Think of this as an advisory board for YOU. 

Peer Advisory Groups

Think of this as an advisory board for YOU. 

6-8 hand-picked peers based on professional experience and stage in career journey.

Meet with them in-real-life. Tap into their collective knowledge. Overcome the challenges you face. 

From navigating a predominantly male team to feedback on your decision-making to ideas on how to run an important meeting. Your advisory board will be your comrades to find a path through.

Learn more here.

Role hubs

Every role has challenges. Don’t tackle these alone. 

Role hubs

Every role has challenges. Don’t tackle these alone. 

Your role hub will be filled with peers in similar roles. It’s your place to soundboard the challenges you face in your role. Share expertise and resources. Engage in regular discussions on the topics you need.

These will be your teammates to help tackle the hard stuff. Level-up alongside people who get it and are doing it too.

Upcoming Masterclass: How to build confidence

The confidence gap is real and we need to close it.

Upcoming Masterclass: How to build confidence

The confidence gap is real and we need to close it.

Studies reveal that men frequently overestimate their abilities and performance, while women underestimate both. Men are 60% more likely to consider themselves confident in their profession compared to women.

Confidence isn’t something you are born with or just ‘have’, it’s something you need to develop. The first masterclass will help you do this.

Upcoming Speakers

Hear from the very best.

Upcoming Speakers

Hear from the very best.

Rachel Lounds, founder and CEO of Rachel Lounds Coaching, Sydney 

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Anna Meirelles, coach and facilitator at the Coach Place, Melbourne

Check out our
‍track record

  • 50% of companies raise post-accelerator
  • Startups raise an average of $1.8mil. off the back of the accelerator

Join a community that will help you go from idea to IPO

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Hiring

We have over 3000+ of ANZ’s most talented operators in our community. Our incredible Startmate fellows are hungry to join a high-growth startup and ready to support you on your journey.

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Investors

We have built an army of over 250 early stage investors who are inspired by your commitment to changing the world. They are here, ready to be your First Believers, and invest.

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Funding

We invest in you from day one and continue to believe in you forever after. This is a unique fund in ANZ that automatically invests all Startmate pro-rata for our alumni, which means you can go into your fundraising conversations already knowing you have the Startmate pro-rata committed

Apply for the
Ladymates Collective

Join a community of ambitious and supportive women looking to excel in their startup careers.
What you’ll get out of the Accelerator 
  1. Investment: We invest AUD 120k in each company so that all your energy is focused on building your startup.
  2. Founder friends: You’ll be surrounded by a cohort of equally ambitious founders on the same journey.
  3. Pitch perfect: We’ll tear your pitch deck to shreds and by the end of the Accelerator you’ll have a bulletproof deck ready for investors.
  4. Launch your startup to the world: Pitch your startup to an audience of thousands at Demo Day.
  5. A product people want: You’ll spend 12 weeks laser-focused on your customer, how you can improve your product and the results to drive meaningful growth
  6. Mentorship: You’ll be partnered with ANZ’s most successful founders, operators and investors who have skin in the game and will run through brick walls to see you succeed 
  7. SME: We’ll connect you with subject matter experts who can provide tailored industry advice on how to approach your business
  8. Community: You’ll gain access to ANZ’s largest startup community of founders, operators and investors who are ready to support you on your journey.  
  9. World-class talent pool: Within our 2000+ startmate fellowship alumni are the hires you need to take your startup to the next level at your fingertips: pre-vetted, upskilled, and hungry to join a high-growth startup. 
  10. The best platform in ANZ to raise capital: Having the Startmate brand behind you will be a stamp of approval to every potential investor or employee you meet.

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Program Dates:
Ongoing, with quarterly intakes

Program Dates: Ongoing, with quarterly intakes

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Applications Close:
9 December 2024

Applications Close: 9 December 2024

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Program cost: $550 quarterly (INCL. GST)*

Program cost:
$550 quarterly (INCL. GST)

*minimum term is 12 months

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Practical, in-person workshops

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Guidance from women two steps ahead of you

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Role-based peer advisory board

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Become part of a powerful startup network

Apply now

Frequently asked questions

Is it a safe and confidential space?

It's important that you feel safe to share the challenges you're facing and get the support you need.

One of the Ladymates core values is confidentiality, and Chatham House Rules must be upheld by all members.

I can’t afford it. Can my work sponsor it?

What is the investment?

You have the option of paying the annual fee upfront or in quarterly payments.

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Annual: $2000 per year

Quarterly: $550 per quarter ($2200 per year)

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*Prices are inclusive of GST

What type of mentoring / support will I receive?

  • Peer mentoring
    • We group all Ladymates into 'peer advisory groups', where women can work through challenges, soundboard ideas, and get feedback from other Ladymates who are facing similar challenges. Learn more here.
  • Masterclasses
    • We bring in a subject expert and/or a woman in tech a few steps ahead of you to provide tangible advice, frameworks, and support to help you build your skills and navigate challenges.
    • Some masterclass examples include ‘asserting influence through storytelling’ with Arabella Macpherson, ‘presence and body language’ with Lucy Allen, ‘having difficult conversations’ with May Samali, etc.
  • Role/functional mentoring
    • You have the option to join any of the different ‘functional groups’ (i.e. Ops, Marketing, Customer Success, etc.), where you will receive role-specific support and resources.

What if I’m going to be overseas / away for a week or two of the membership?

  • This isn’t the end of the world. We encourage a healthy work/play balance (and talk about it all the time in sessions!). It should be fine to go overseas or take some holidays, just be sure to give your group members a heads up.
  • However, we prefer participants are not absent for months at a time or miss more than one session.
  • Note that we also put all sessions on pause for the end of year holiday period!

Is attendance mandatory?

  • We believe you get out what you put in. Given the limited intake size, we want members who are ready to commit to their growth and are present to support their fellow Ladymates.
  • For this reason, attendance is mandatory. Participants who miss more than one session may be withdrawn from the membership*, so please get in touch if you have concerns around your availability (*except in extenuating circumstances).
  • Think of us as your accountability buddies - we’re here to help you help yourself!

When will sessions run?

  • The specific day/time of group sessions will vary to suit your individual availability, as well as the availability of your group members.
  • Masterclasses will run in the evenings after work, typically kicking off around 5:30pm.

What’s the cadence? How often are sessions?

  • Peer Advisory Board Sessions = 1 x per month (in person)
  • Masterclasses = 2 x per per quarter (in person & virtual)
  • Role Advisory Sessions (optional) = 1 x per quarter (virtual)
  • Bonus socials & catch-ups (optional) = up to you!

Are sessions virtual or in-person?

  • The membership is part virtual, part in-person.
    • In person:
      • ‘Level-up’ workshops
      • Curated social events
      • Peer advisory sessions
    • Virtual
      • Guest speaker sessions
      • Role-based peer mentorship
  • Note: due to confidentiality and the need to create a safe space for candid conversations, virtual sessions will not be recorded.

I don’t know if I’m eligible

  • This membership is for professional women, working in tech / startups
  • Note: for the first few intakes, we are also limiting participation to those who are based in-person in Melbourne or Sydney
  • Not sure if this is you?
    • If you’re not already working in tech/startups and want to land a job in this space, check out the Women Fellowship
    • If you’re a woman in leadership in tech/startups and want more leadership-specific support, check out Ladymates Leadership

Sponsor / partner looking to support?

If you are a founder or investor looking to support female representation in ANZ's startup ecosystem, we'd love to hear from you.

Hate forms? Email kaya@startmate.com.au

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