Top 5 Accelerator Programs in Australia

Good question. Australia’s startup scene is buzzing, but not all programs are created equal. Some offer real traction and growth. While others can sometimes tend to be glorified co-working spaces with free muffins and coffee.

If you’re wondering how to validate a startup idea, accelerator programs can be a powerful tool but only if you pick the right one. To save you time (and regret), here are 5 of the best and coolest in Australia.

1. Startmate

Sydney, Melbourne, or Remote

Why it’s hot:
It’s intense, selective, and not for the faint of heart. Twice a year, they run a 12-week accelerator that takes a tight-knit batch of startups and throws them into the deep end. Mentorship from industry killers, relentless pitch practice, and a network that stretches from Sydney to Silicon Valley.

They’re not here for “maybe.” They’re here for let’s scale this thing to the moon. The program is backed by Blackbird Ventures (the same cool folks who invested in Canva & Culture Amp), so if you perform, the funding doesn’t stop at Demo Day. More often than not it starts there.

And the best part? You’ll be surrounded by a group of other founders who are just as obsessed, sleep-deprived, and borderline unhinged as you are. It’s the kind of environment that forces growth, whether that’s product-market fit, or just your ability to cold-email investors without spiraling. If you’re ready to scale or quit your day job, this is your crew.

What you get:

• $120K AUD for 8% equity
• 12-week sprint with seasoned operators and founders
• Investor-packed Demo Day
• Lifetime support from Blackbird-backed alumni

Ideal for: Startups with traction and ambition to go global in short term plans.

Link to page : https://www.startmate.com/accelerator

2. Antler Australia

Sydney & Melbourne

Why it’s hot:
You don’t need a co-founder. You don’t need an idea. You don’t even need a pitch deck. You just need to show up with conviction, curiosity, and the guts to build something and Antler will help you figure out the rest.

It’s basically a founder factory. In the first phase, they handpick designers, product people, ex-bankers, PhDs, lone wolves with something to prove and drop them into a high-pressure environment where teams form fast, ideas get stress-tested harder than a startup Twitter thread, and the strongest survive. Think of it like a founder factory….with capital, coaching, and co-founders all under one roof.

If your team and idea stack up, they write you a cheque and back your first steps toward traction. If not? You still walk away with a war chest of insights, new contacts and sharper instincts.

What you get:

• $225K AUD total investment (in two stages) for 12%

• Global network across 20+ countries

• Guidance from Day 0 to post-launch traction

Ideal for: Solo builders and people who want to start but haven’t found “the thing” yet.

Link to page: https://www.antler.co/

3. Cicada Innovations

Sydney

Why it’s hot:
Cicada is a bit different than the other two programs previously mentioned. It’s essentially an incubator program for deep tech, medtech, cleantech, basically, anything that ends in “tech” and requires more than a laptop and redbull to build.
We’re talking serious R&D. Real-world complexity, regulatory mazes, hardware headaches. The kind of problems that can’t be solved in a weekend hackathon and Cicada knows that better than anyone.

Based out of Sydney, they’ve built a reputation as the launchpad for science-backed startups. Whether you’re working on a new diagnostic device, climate-positive material, or a biotech breakthrough, Cicada gives you the breathing room (and lab space) to turn your idea into something commercially viable. So if you’re solving gnarly real world problems, they’ll help you build something that lasts.

What you get:

• Equity-free programs

• Access to labs, prototyping tools, and real experts

• Connections to researchers, government, and industry giants

Ideal for: Science-first founders, hardware nerds, or anyone building more than just an app.

Link: https://www.cicadainnovations.com/

4. Remarkable Accelerator

Sydney

Why it’s hot:
Remarkable isn’t just an accelerator program, it’s more of a movement. It’s laser-focused on one mission: to make the world more inclusive through tech.

So if you’re building in disability-tech, inclusive design, or assistive innovation this is your crew! You won’t need to explain why inclusion matters here. You’re surrounded by people who totally get it and who actually live it.

The program runs for 16 weeks and gives you access to up to $75K in funding, world-class mentorship, and user feedback from real people with lived experience, which, let’s be honest, is worth more than any investor’s warm intro.

What you get:

• Up to $100K for 5% equity

• Equity-free

• Mentors and tech partners focused on real social impact

Ideal for: Founders building for inclusion, accessibility, and the underserved.

Link to page: https://www.remarkable.org/

5. UNSW Founders

Sydney / University of New South Wales

Why it’s hot:

UNSW Founders is where academic horsepower meets startup hustle. It’s run by one of Australia’s top unis, but don’t let that fool you. Its not just clout and students scribbling ideas on whiteboards between lectures. This is a full-throttle accelerator for early-stage startups that want to get serious, fast.

Their 10x Accelerator is designed to turn your early idea into a fundable, scalable business in just 10 weeks. And they’re not just talking a big game, this program comes loaded with cash, deep mentorship, and a solid alumni network. Plus, because it’s tied to a uni, you get access to R&D brains, data labs, and a tech ecosystem most startups could only dream of.

Best part? They don’t take equity. Just bring your grit, your prototype, and maybe a few sleepless nights.

What you get:

• $20K AUD grant + perks (equity-free)
• 10-week intensive with coaching, mentors, and pitch prep
• Access to UNSW’s massive innovation ecosystem

Ideal for: Founders who want structure, backing, and a uni-level launchpad—without handing over equity before they’ve even hit product-market fit.

Link to page: https://unswfounders.com/accelerators

Key Takeaways:

Accelerators aren’t shortcuts, they’re launchpads. The right one can save you months of guesswork, plug you into a proper network, and maybe even land you your first real cheque. So pick wisely. Apply bravely. And above all, keep building. (And if you need a quick way to spin up your landing page before you pitch? You know where to go. JDoodle.ai)