Build a Great Startup in 2024 with the FI Australia NZ Startup Accelerator

The Founder Institute, the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Australia & New Zealand ANZ program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from top Kiwi & Australian investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Australia and NZ Founder Institute today.

Since 2009, our highly-structured accelerator programs have helped entrepreneurs at the earliest stages grow quickly, know what to do next, and make connections with the largest community of startup advisors.

It all starts with our renowned ‘FI Core’ accelerator, which pushes founders at the idea and pre-seed stages to reach the milestones needed for investment and sustained growth. Alumni of FI Core then receive free access to our advanced ‘Founder Lab’ accelerators for years to come, and can get matched with prospective investors in the FI Venture Network, a collection of global funds actively investing in the earliest rounds of funding.

To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in NZ and Australia, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 5:00am, Feb 25, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/385507
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 5:00am, Mar 04, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/385347
What Do Investors Really Look For? Startup Funding Q&A with Keshia Theobald-van Gent: 3:00am, Mar 10, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/387496
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 11:30am, Mar 11, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/388469
From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 11:00pm, Mar 16, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/387651
Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 3:00am, Mar 18, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/388900
Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza (VIP Event): 3:00am, Mar 20, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/390010
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 3:00am, Mar 25, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/389108
How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 10:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/389505

See all upcoming events

The Australia & NZ program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Benjamin Chong (Partner, Right Click Capital), Paul Krajewski (Product Management / Research MarTech SaaS, SalesEnablement.wordpress.com/about), Sydney Admin (FI Admin account, FI Sydney).

In addition, some of Australia's & New Zealand's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating in the program, providing them with expert feedback and evaluation. The list of startup mentors for the Australia Founder Institute includes:

* Adam Long * Adeline Chu * Alejandro Patterson * Allan Lalic * Anna Cheng * Ashton Bishop * Benjamin Ranck * Bill Trestrail * GRAEME OGILVIE * Hendrik Remigereau * Jack Qi * James Moody * Jason Atkins * Jonathon Wilkinson * Leila Alem * Matt Allen * Matthew Browne * Neil Smith DUPLICATE PROFILE * Paul Krajewski * Pavel Reddy * Pete Cooper * Roman Kovalenko * Sean Geoghegan * Stella Xu * Tal Rotbart * Timo Kugler * Vanessa Ronan Pearce * Will Davies * Will Ericksson * William Mc Cahey