Now is the Time to Rebuild. Applications Open to Founder Institute Australia

Now is the time to rebuild: the world needs entrepreneurs to lead the way in creating a better future, for everyone.

Whether you have already launched a startup or are still in the idea-phase, this is the time to act. 2020 brought havoc to our health, our society, and our economy, and what remains is a world filled with reshuffling industries and new problems that need to be solved. As we continue through 2021, every founder has an opportunity to play a part in helping shape that better future.

That's why we are excited to announce that applications are now open for the Australia - New Zealand Virtual Spring 2021 program. With a Trans-Tasman travel bubble now open between Australia and New Zealand, the Founder Institute is following suit with its version of a Trans-Tasman Innovation Bubble, connecting the two countries for the first time ever through a 100% online program, designed to provide both local and international support for emerging startups across the two countries.

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from top Australian and New Zealander investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Australia - New Zealand Virtual Spring 2021 Founder Institute today.

We will be hosting several free startup online events in the Trans-Tasman region over the coming weeks, where you can learn virtually from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:

The AI-Native Founder Revolution: Build Your Company Faster Than Ever : 2:00am, Jul 09, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/401739
Venture Trailblazers featuring Tim Draper: 1:00am, Jul 10, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/402263
Go From Idea to Working App with AI, Featuring Adeo Ressi: 3:00am, Jul 10, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/402221
How to Build Without a Team Using AI with Jonathan Greechan: 2:00am, Jul 15, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/401890
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 2:00am, Jul 29, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/401223
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 10:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/395127
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 10:30am, Aug 11, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/392785
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 10:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/395183
FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 10:00am, Aug 26, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/399768
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 2:00am, Sep 02, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/393568
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 10:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/395231
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 11:30am, Oct 06, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/395254
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
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 12:00pm, Nov 18, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/395320

See all upcoming events

Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200+ cities worldwide, the Founder Institute is designed to help you build an enduring business that can survive and thrive in the “new normal.” We do this by giving you a clear process combined with constant feedback from a devoted network of international entrepreneurs and investors. Participants in the 4-month core program also get access to a lifetime of support through the Founder Institute's industry-leading free post-programs.

The Australia - New Zealand accelerator is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Benjamin Chong, Chris Clark, Paul Krajewski, Phoebe Zhang, Cheryl Mack and Charlotte Connell. In addition, some of the region's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating as mentors in the program, providing expert feedback and evaluation. The list of startup mentors for the Australia - New Zealand Founder Institute includes:

Adam Long: Chief Growth Officer, Humantix and CEO, Ethical CEO
Albert Bielinko: Investor, Telstra Ventures
Anna Robson: Co-Founder and CEO, Refugee and Migrant Talent
Anne Moore: Work Futurist. Creator of Now to Next: Frames for the New Way We Work, Ex-CEO, Plando
Ashton Bishop: CEO, Step Change
Bill Trestrail: Co-Founder, Chairman. Saasabi.
Elie Wehbe: Founder, Wiso Global
Elke Keeley: Co-founder; Co-CEO, UrbanYou
Evan Wong: CEO, Checkbox.AI
Jeff Perlman: Founder, Revenue Ninja - outsource Chief Revenue Officer for Start-Ups and recently exited CEO of OneSaas following acquisition by Intuit
Jonathan Barouch: Founder and CEO, Roamz
Matthew Browne: VC Investor, 3 x Founder
Murray Hurps: Director of Entrepreneurship, University of Technology Sydney
Pete Cooper: Serial Founder and CIO
Rebekah Campbell: CEO, Zambesi
Richard Druce: Co-founder, Y-Receipts yreceipts.com
Robert Kinkade: Co-founder, CX360, BEERLOVE
Rod Bishop: CEO, Jayride
Stephen Rutter: Founder, The Scale Institute
Steve Fanale: CEO, DriveYello
Tom Dawkins: Founder/CEO, StartSomeGood
And many more to be announced.

Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 9,000 Alumni raise over 2BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more (see the FI 10 Year Impact Report here).