STARTMATE SPARK FUND

Fuelling early-stage founders all year round

A community-powered initiative bridging the gap between the earliest-stage founders and their first crucial backers, Spark Fund is here to accelerate bold ideas from the ground-up.

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What is the Spark Fund?

The Spark Fund is a network-driven initiative designed to support early-stage founders at the very beginning of their startup journey. We invest $25,000 upfront with the potential for follow-on investments of up to $100,000, providing you with the financial backing to bring your vision to life.

Our investment decisions are made by our network of First Believers – people who share your passion for creating something groundbreaking.
Learn more about First Believers
Learn more about First Believers

Helping you win

The aim of Startmate’s Spark Fund is to amplify your potential at every stage, from investment to brand recognition. It’s all about granting you with the resources and connections you need to succeed.
Investment
$25,000 in initial investment, with potential for up to $500k of follow-on funding from our Continuity Fund that invests in Startmate’s best portfolio companies.
Our network becomes yours
The Startmate community is everywhere. No one is out of reach. Find your mentors, investors, future hires and customers.
Pathway into the Accelerator
Receiving a Spark cheque increases your chance of getting into our Accelerator.
Startmate recognition
Leverage our brand and reach to spread the word about your startup far and wide.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Submit your idea
Apply anytime throughout the year.
2. Community selection
Our selectors review and vote on which companies should progress.
3. Interview
A chance to get to know more about you and your startup.
4. Get Funded
Receive $25,000 in initial investment, with potential for $50,000 – $100,000 follow-on funding.
5. Access the community
Leverage a network of First Believers, mentors and founders.
Step one
Submit your idea
Step two
Community selection
Step three
Interview
Step four
Get funded
Step five
Access the community
1. Submit your idea

Apply anytime throughout the year.

2. Community selection

Our selectors review and vote on which companies should progress.

3. Interview

A chance to get to know more about you and your startup.

4. Get Funded

Receive $25,000 in initial investment, with potential for $50,000 – $100,000 follow-on funding.

5. Access the community

Leverage a network of First Believers, mentors and founders.

We invest in “Spikes”

Which spikes are we hunting for?
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TEAM
You would buy stock in this founder. Previously built/hacked something together, unbridled ambition, off-the-charts determination, learn-it-all, unique connection to problem, attracts exceptional talent.
Progress
Things are happening – fast. # customer interviews, # users, $ revenue, engagement, technical progress, top brand names signed up.
Invention
Invented a new technology or a significant leap in technology.
Unique vision
The founders see the future differently from everyone else and it’s compelling.
10x
The product is more than incrementally better than alternatives – it’s 10x better. It could be 10x faster, 10x cheaper, 10x easier to use, or 10x better quality.

Our portfolio

FIND YOUR FIRST BELIEVERs

Join a community obsessed with backing and believing in the next generation of great founders.

apply now
apply now