Startmate Accelerator Summer 27 cohort
Startmate invests AUD $120,000 in each startup of its 12 week accelerator for founders in Australia and New Zealand. Applications close November 8, 2026.
The Startmate Accelerator is taking applications for its Summer 27 cohort. The program runs for 12 weeks from January 25 to April 29, 2027. Applications close on November 8, 2026.
Startmate invests AUD $120,000 in each company. First time fundraisers get a SAFE or a priced equity round at a AUD $1.5 million post money valuation. Founders who have already raised capital, with at least AUD $250,000 in their last round, get terms and valuation matching that round.
Founders must be based in Australia or New Zealand. The program is industry agnostic and has backed companies in ed tech, health tech, climate tech, fintech and other sectors. There is no revenue requirement. Startmate says 67 percent of past applicants had no revenue when they applied, and idea stage and pre MVP companies are accepted.
The program is hybrid. Three weeks are in person in Melbourne: week 0, a mid program reset in week 7 and the Demo Day week. The rest is remote.
Selection has two stages: an online application with a 90 second video, then a one hour interview with mentors who are personally invested in the fund. Startmate looks for founders with a strong connection to the problem, evidence of customer conversations, an ambitious vision and a team that can execute.