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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:

Australia Events:

  • Sales Growth b2b & b2c with AI: Masterclass with William Wang: 6:00pm, Jul 15, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/372714
  • [Restricted] Australia Spring 2025 VIP Launch Mixer (In-Person): 5:30pm, Jul 29, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/368129

Global or Regional Events:

  • Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
  • FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 3:00am, Jun 24, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/371878
  • Startup Finance & Banking Basics: AMA with Grasshopper Bank: 3:00am, Jun 26, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/372091
  • How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 10:00am, Jun 27, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/373834
  • Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 3:00am, Jul 01, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/371717
  • Founder’s Guide to AI: Creating Effective Content with AI: 3:00am, Jul 03, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/374039
  • Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 3:00am, Jul 08, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/370446
  • Founder’s Guide to AI: Building an MVP with No Coding Skills : 3:00am, Jul 10, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/374101
  • Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Sonam Velani: 3:00am, Jul 15, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/374719
  • Founder’s Guide to AI: Using AI to Increase Productivity: 3:00am, Jul 17, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/374108
  • Founder’s Guide to AI: Using Agentic Workflows to Automate Repetitive Tasks: 3:00am, Jul 24, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/374137
  • How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 3:00am, Aug 12, 2025 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/374673
  • 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

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  7,800 Alumni raise over $1.85BN 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).

Join us in Australia and New Zealand to help build the future. 

Apply to the Australia - New Zealand Virtual Spring 2021 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.  

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