Startmate Summer ’27 Accelerator
For 14 weeks, we help Australia and New Zealand's most ambitious founders move faster, build something people want, and raise their next round.
Companies that went through the Accelerator
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Who gets in
We're industry agnostic and the program is built around your stage rather than a fixed curriculum. One founder needs to be full-time, and solo founders are just as welcome as teams. Since 2021, 40% of the companies have had one or more women co-founders.
Apply nowThe investment
The mentors who sit in your sessions invest their own money in the fund that invests in you.
Read the full investment termsThe 14 weeks
The whole cohort comes together in person for Week 0 in Melbourne, the mid-program IRL week and Demo Day week. The rest of the program is remote-first, and our Melbourne and Sydney offices are open to co-work from any week you like.
Apply now
Why Startmate
Plenty of investors can write a $120k cheque. Startmate is building the world founders need to thrive.
Investors backing our alumni
Startmate mentors
Dedicated partner mentors with deep expertise in your area, plus direct access to operators and leaders across ANZ – people who back you long after the program ends.
In their words
“We've done Startmate twice now. Startmate turns you into someone who can run a company. Having someone forcing us to talk to 100 customers per week... you won't have that pressure anywhere else.”
“The Accelerator is a really competitive program and a lot is asked from you during this program, but knowing that will allow you to make the most out of the opportunity, whether that means investment, mentors, or connections.”
“I remember thinking most of the mentors were nuts. They were pushing us to take a product to market before we had even designed it. They pushed us so hard to get out there and sell to customers. That was the best advice that I was ever given: sell before you're ready to sell.”
“We were fortunate enough to be accepted into the Startmate Accelerator and went through a pretty intense 12 weeks which was, honestly, life changing.”
“The top Accelerator in Australia. Unmatched access to mentors who've been there and done that, who can help you through the highs and inevitable lows of building a startup.”
“Startmate helps you focus on what matters most and puts you in the best position as a founder to build the foundations of a category defining company.”
“A wild ride. You'll be challenged on so many levels, but you'll be a changed founder by the end of it and much better off for having been part of it.”
Applying
Written responses and a 90-second video. Budget 60 to 90 minutes. Offers go out mid-December.
Read the application guideOur last intake drew 900+ applications. Nobody expects a perfect application – what stands out is a spike. One extraordinary strength in the team, early momentum, an invention or the vision is enough. Make your strongest differentiator impossible to miss.
Apply nowJoin our AMA →Before you apply
Summer ’27 cohort
14 weeks, Feb 1 to May 7, 2027. Remote-first, with three weeks together in person and our Melbourne and Sydney offices open to co-work from. $120k invested at acceptance.
Apply now