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:

How Aspiring Founders can Use AI to Test Ideas & Move Faster: 11:30am, Mar 24, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/393822
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Solo-Founder 101: How Anyone Can Start a Business Using AI: 3:00am, Apr 01, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/392601
From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 10:00am, Apr 07, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/392154
How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 10:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/393755
From Invisible Founder to Industry Voice Using LinkedIn: 2:00am, Apr 28, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/392465
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 10:00am, Jul 07, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/392785
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 2:00am, Sep 02, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/393568
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 3:00am, Oct 14, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/393496
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 4:00am, Nov 04, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/393585

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 * Alex Samson * Alex Sy * Amit Verma * Anna Cheng * Cheryl Mack * Chris Clark * Dennis Kibirev * GRAEME OGILVIE * Jason Tan * Jo Ann Suchard * Lisa Cotton * Magdalena Reith * Matthew Browne * Michelle Gilmore * Neil Smith * Paul Grimes * Paul Krajewski * Peter Browne * Prashant Gami * Rebecca Dooley * Roger Do * Ryan Cross * Sorrel Kesby * Stella Xu * Tomaj Bayat * Vanessa Mouledous * Vanessa Ronan Pearce * Will Ericksson