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:

Australia Events:

Meet and Greet with FI Australia Directors & Alumni: 5:30pm, Feb 17, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/387159

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Brainstorm a Great Startup Idea for 2026: Online Workshop: 12:00pm, Jan 21, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/384227
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 5:00am, Jan 27, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/382126
Meet Global Alumni from Founder Institute: 5:00am, Feb 03, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/383974
How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 12:00pm, Feb 10, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/383689
Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 5:00am, Feb 18, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/385170
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 5:00am, Feb 25, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/385507
Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 5:00am, Mar 04, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/385347

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:

* Alex Sy * Alex Xu * Amit Verma * Anna Cheng * Ant Moorehouse * Ashton Bishop * Benjamin Ranck * Bill Trestrail * Brodie Mc Culloch * Cheryl Mack * Chris Clark * David Kenney * Dennis Kibirev * GRAEME OGILVIE * Greg Campbell * Jack Qi * Julian Luca * Magdalena Reith * Matt Allen * Paul Grimes * Paul Krajewski * Romain Bonjean * Roman Kovalenko * Scott Crowe * Sorrel Kesby * Tomaj Bayat * Vanessa Ronan Pearce * Vern Chan * Will Davies * Will Ericksson