Startmate: price, who can join and alternatives
Startmate runs a 14-week accelerator for founders in Australia and New Zealand, investing A$120,000 for 8% in companies that have not raised before. The cohort meets in person in Melbourne for set weeks and can co-work from its Melbourne and Sydney offices, with a network of 5,000+ founders, operators and investors.
Startmate at a glance
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Applications | Summer '27 accelerator applications are open | startmate.com |
| Deadline | Applications close 1 November | startmate.com |
| Programme length | 14 weeks | startmate.com |
| Investment terms | A$120,000 at a A$1.5m post-money valuation (8%) for companies that haven't raised | startmate.com |
| In-person weeks | Week 0, a mid-programme week and Demo Day week are in person in Melbourne | startmate.com |
| Co-working | Remote-first, with Melbourne and Sydney offices open for co-working | startmate.com |
| Who can apply | One founder must be full-time; solo founders are welcome | startmate.com |
| Network | 5,000+ founders, operators and investors | startmate.com |
| Latest cohort | Winter '26 cohort announced | startmate.com |
Who it suits
- Full-time founders in Australia or New Zealand ready to raise
- Solo founders, who are accepted as readily as teams
- Founders who want mentors who have invested in the fund
Who it doesn't suit
- Founders who don't want to give up equity
- Side projects without a full-time founder
- Founders who can't travel to Melbourne for the in-person weeks
Alternatives to Startmate
| Community | Price | Entry rule |
|---|---|---|
| Aussie Founders Club | Slack is free; its 19 Nov event is free or A$45 (All Access Pass) | Open to join |
| Fishburners | From $89 a month, or $54.92 a month billed annually (currency not named) | Open sign-up for the Founders Passport; Residency is selective |
| Founder Institute Australia | A$799 entrance fee, plus a 2.5% equity pledge | Application; Summer 2027 intake open |
| Launch Camp | Free; the 18 Nov matching night has a $10 ticket for selected guests (currency not named) | Join the waitlist; the matching night needs an interest form and host approval |
| Morning Startup | Free | RSVP on Meetup; pitch slots by email |
| SaaS Summit (Five V Capital) | Not published | Register interest; registration needs host approval |
| Spacecubed | Hot desks from $50 a day (currency not named) | Book a space or apply for programmes |
| StartupHaus Melbourne (LiveHaus) | A$40 to A$60 per ticket (Early Bird to Final Release) | Buy a ticket; seats are capped |
Compare all 471 founder communities, each row dated.
Questions about Startmate
- How much does Startmate invest?
- A$120,000 at a A$1.5m post-money valuation, or 8%, if you haven't raised before.
- When do Summer '27 applications close?
- The accelerator page says applications close on 1 November.
- Do I need to move to Melbourne?
- No. The programme is remote-first, with Week 0, a mid-programme week and Demo Day week in person in Melbourne.
- Website
- startmate.com
- Price
- Not published (Startmate invests A$120,000 for 8% if you haven't raised)
- Entry rule
- Application; Summer '27 intake closes 1 November
- Format
- 14-week accelerator, remote-first with in-person weeks
- Checked
Startmate isn't connected to Remote Builders. Prices and entry rules change, so check startmate.com before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.