The Founder Institute, the world's largest startup accelerator, is now accepting applications for the Australia Spring 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 (Jun 23, 2026) 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:
- How to Find the First Customers for Your Startup Idea: 2:00am, Aug 12, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/403314
- How to Get Customer Feedback on your Startup Idea in the Age of AI: 2:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/403471
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 10:30pm, Aug 24, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/395127
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 10:00am, Aug 26, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/399768
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A: 2:00am, Sep 02, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/393568
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 2:00am, Sep 09, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/401223
- How to Create a Great First Startup Pitch using AI: 10:30am, Sep 15, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/403611
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 10:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Australia/Sydney): https://FI.co/e/395231
- 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
The Sydney Chapter will take place on Tuesday evenings beginning Aug 10, 2026, and will be led by local leader Benjamin Chong (Partner at the Sydney Seed Fund and Right Click Capital).
In only 17 years of operation, over 9,000 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.
