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:

[Restricted] Founder Institute Melbourne face to face VIP Mixer (In-Person): 5:30pm, Aug 28, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/377085

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 3:00am, Aug 19, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/374879
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 3:00am, Aug 26, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/375562
Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Rich Maloy: 10:00am, Sep 09, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/376632
Responsible AI for Startups: Frameworks You Can Apply from Day One: 3:00am, Sep 16, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/376208
How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 3:00am, Sep 18, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/373834
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 3:00am, Sep 23, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/377553
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 4:00am, Oct 07, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/377881
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 4:00am, Oct 28, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/377718

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 * Alex Xu * Amit Verma * Benjamin Chong * Benjamin Ranck * Bill Trestrail * Caroline Lepron * Cheryl Mack * Dennis Kibirev * Franziska Iseli * Greg Campbell * Jo Ann Suchard * Julian Luca * Magdalena Reith * Matthew Browne * Michelle Gilmore * Neil Smith * Pavel Reddy * Peter Browne * Prashant Gami * Rebecca Dooley * Roger Do * Roman Kovalenko * Ryan Cross * Tal Rotbart * Timo Kugler * Vanessa Ronan Pearce * Will Davies