Accelerator
Hurtec is reinventing firefighting with electric pumps and big data
Hurtec has invented a breakthrough technology with the potential to save countless lives, prevent billions in damages and transform firefighting on a global scale.
STARTMATE FIRST BELIEVERS
Start investing alongside the most active early-stage ANZ investors
Startmate’s First Believers 14-week program isn't just theoretical, it's practical. Learn the investing craft from the best investors in ANZ and have the exclusive opportunity to make real investment decisions with your own funds or through Startmate’s funds.
PROGRAM DATE:
Jan 20
-
Apr 18, 2025
Applications close:
11:55 pm
Dec 31
Alumni from ANZ's top companies
First in, First Believers
This program gives radically transparent access to how the best investors make investment decisions and allows you to invest alongside the most active early-stage investors in Australia.
Learn
Dive into a wealth of knowledge shaped by all the learnings we've had from over a decade of investing. We cover our investment frameworks and everything you need to launch your angel journey, regardless of your experience.
Invest
The second half of the onboarding program is stacked with hands-on investing. You’ll be reviewing real pitch decks, meeting real founders and making real investment decisions. Real-ly awesome.
Community
Never invest alone with Startmate and the First Believers. Twice a year, we run an onboarding program for an exclusive group. You'll get to meet each other at IRL events as well as get matched 1:1. We’re in this together.
300
+
First Believers
25,000
+
investment decisions
$
4.5
M
+
invested
“Startmate’s track record of investment returns place it alongside the best in the world”
What do you get?
Join a community obsessed with backing and believing in the next generation of great founders.
Over 14 weeks, you'll learn the craft of investing from world-class investors through the Startmate network, while simultaneously being exposed to 500+ early-stage startups. This is not about passively learning abstract concepts, it's about learning by doing - making real investment decisions on real companies with real outcomes.
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Build your life-long investor network
Build your investing team directly with your 60 cohort members, while also tapping into our 300 strong alumni network of ex-founders, operators, investors and experts.
Unlock the biggest pool of deal flow
Review 500+ startups during the cohort, then get access to 1,000+ per year as an alumnus. We make it easy to see, review and decide on the best deals and founders.
Hone your decision-making and interviewing skills
Learn from experienced VCs and angel investors, vote on hundreds of investment decisions, and meet founders throughout the cohort.
Increase your impact
Startmate will catapult you to the centre of the ecosystem. You’ll see more deals than ever before, learn how to better invest and mentor and massively increase your impact.
Earn carry
First Believers are exclusively invited to help Startmate write cheques into the earliest of companies via the Spark Fund. Deal leads and referrers of successful deals earn carry in the fund (even if they’re not investors in the fund).
Past Speakers and Coaches
Unlike most other accelerators, the $120k we invest in your startup comes directly from our mentor community. This means every mentor has skin in the game and is personally invested in seeing you succeed.
Ivan
Co-founder of Athletic Ventures
Christie Jenkins
Co-founder of Athletic Ventures
Dr. Doom
Co-founder of Athletic Ventures
Are you the next First Believer?
Do you believe that great founders and great startups are the key to building a better future? If so, First Believers is for you. Whether you’re looking to write your first cheque, have already started investing, keen to mentor startups, or a founder ready to give back and be on the flipside of the coin, you’re in the right place.
Make a sizable impact on the world
We believe startups are the single most powerful way to build a better future. If you do too, then come learn the theory of investing and put it into practice.
mentor and invest in the next gen of great founders
First Believers have front row seats in helping us select, mentor and invest in the next gen of Accelerator founders.
CONNECT directly with anz’s best founders
Get insider access to Startmate’s deal flow, as well as opportunities to connect with founders.
9.2/10 from 250+ alumni reviews
I gained such a well-rounded, realistic insight into the startup ecosystem and what it’s like to run or work in a startup. If you’re at all curious, I couldn’t recommend this program enough.
Chritel
Women Founder
I gained such a well-rounded, realistic insight into the startup ecosystem and what it’s like to run or work in a startup. If you’re at all curious, I couldn’t recommend this program enough.
Eran
Founder
I gained such a well-rounded, realistic insight into the startup ecosystem and what it’s like to run or work in a startup. If you’re at all curious, I couldn’t recommend this program enough.
John Doe
Student Fellow S24
I gained such a well-rounded, realistic insight into the startup ecosystem and what it’s like to run or work in a startup. If you’re at all curious, I couldn’t recommend this program enough.
Mike
Student contributor
Deal flow, investor networks and the tools you need to be an angel investor
If you want to build confidence in making early-stage startup investments, better understand the investor lens, and put theory into practice alongside other ambitious investors and founders, First Believers is the place for you.
PROGRAM DATE:
8
Weeks
Jan 20
-
Apr 18
Cost:
$
3000
(INCL. GST)
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APPLY NOW
"Startmate, Australia's unicorn factory..."
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Frequently asked questions
Is the program right for me?
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