Startmate 2027: Deadline, Funding and How to Apply

Startmate is the leading startup accelerator in Australia and New Zealand. It was founded in 2010 by Niki Scevak, who later co-founded the venture firm Blackbird. Startmate is now majority owned by Blackbird but runs with its own funds, team and investment decisions. Startmate invests A$120,000 in each accepted company at the start of the program. For companies with no prior funding, that buys 8% at a A$1.5 million post-money valuation, and founders can choose a SAFE or priced equity. If a company has already raised at least A$250,000 from venture or angel investors, Startmate matches the terms and valuation of that round instead. There are no program fees. The program is industry agnostic and accepts idea-stage and pre-revenue companies, as well as solo founders. It is remote-first and runs on Australian time, with in-person weeks in Melbourne and Sydney. Founders from overseas can apply if they have a strong ANZ connection. Startmate reports more than 350 portfolio companies with a combined value of about A$4.5 billion. Alumni include Morse Micro, the Wi-Fi chip company, the security platform Bugcrowd, drone mapping company Propeller Aero and Mindset Health. Each cohort is backed by a large group of mentors and investors from the local startup ecosystem.

The Summer '27 program runs for 14 weeks, from February 1 to May 7, 2027. It is remote-first, and sessions run on Australian time. All founders meet in person three times: Week 0 in Melbourne, an in-person week in Week 6, and Demo Day week. Startmate's Melbourne and Sydney offices are open for co-working throughout. Each company works with a group of experienced founder mentors on weekly goals for customers, revenue and product, with structured sessions on hiring, fundraising and storytelling. The program ends with Demo Day, which Startmate has held at Carriageworks in Sydney, where companies pitch to investors. After the program, founders join the Startmate alumni network and its community of mentors and investors.

Startmate backs ambitious founders building in or from Australia and New Zealand. It is industry agnostic and accepts idea-stage and pre-revenue companies. At least one founder must be full time, or go full time for the program, and solo founders are welcome. Overseas founders can apply if they have a strong ANZ connection. Rejected applicants are encouraged to reapply in later cohorts.