The Founder Institute, the world's largest startup accelerator, is now accepting applications for the Australia Summer 2026 Semester. Since launching in Sydney in 2012, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 30 companies in the region, and we are now excited to launch many more.
If you could benefit from expert training and advice to launch a technology startup in Sydney, click here to apply today. The program is open to founders of all kinds – including solo founders, those without an idea or company, and those that have a full-time job.
Those who apply by the Early Application Deadline (Dec 14, 2025) will have their application fees waived (typically $50) and are eligible for Founder Institute Fellowships.
In the Founder Institute's four-month, part-time program, promising startup entrepreneurs “learn by doing” and launch a company through structured training courses, practical business-building assignments, and expert feedback from a large network of business mentors. Plus, aspiring founders are not required to quit their day job to participate, so they can begin building a business around their ideas without putting their livelihood at risk.
If you would like to learn more, then join us for the free, upcoming event:
- What Do Investors Really Look For? Startup Funding Q&A with Keshia Theobald-van Gent: 3:00am, Mar 10, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/387496
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 11:00pm, Mar 16, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/387651
- Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 3:00am, Mar 18, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/388900
- Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza (VIP Event): 3:00am, Mar 20, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/390010
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 11:30am, Mar 24, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/388469
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 3:00am, Mar 25, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/389108
- Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 10:00am, Apr 08, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/390158
- How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 10:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/389505
- Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 2:00am, Apr 15, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/390789
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 2:00am, May 19, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/390361
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 2:00am, Jun 16, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/390521
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 2:00am, Jul 21, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/390659
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 2:00am, Aug 11, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/391211
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 10:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/391286
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 10:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/391566
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 3:00am, Oct 14, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/390935
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 12:00pm, Nov 18, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/391441
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 4:00am, Dec 09, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/391071
The Sydney Chapter will take place on Tuesday evenings beginning Feb 23, 2026, and will be led by local leader Benjamin Chong (Partner at the Sydney Seed Fund and Right Click Capital).
In only 16 years of operation, over 8,900 graduate companies across 200 cities have used the Founder Institute to validate their idea, develop their plans, refine their product, build an advisory board, prepare for seed funding, and more. Our efforts in Sydney have also been profiled by several high profile media channels, including the Financial Review, BRW, BRR Media, and more.
The Founder Institute also operates a chapter in Perth, where applications are also open now.
