Startmate is getting into the streaming business with the next evolution of its Accelerator program – dedicated Founder Streams.
Streams is designed to deliver more focused, hands-on support for founders across key startup sectors. It also features Stream Leads, experienced founders who’ve lived the journey themselves, to guide startups through tailored 12-week programs focused on AI, hardware, B2B & Consumer from the likes of Canva, Microsoft, Leonardo.ai Google and AI guru Annie Liao from Build Club.
Startmate CEO Michael Batko said “mentorship has always been the accelerator’s “superpower”.
“Our alumni and mentor network is what sets us apart, and now we’re doubling down to make that experience even more impactful for founders,” he said.
“We’ve always given founders access to world-class mentors, but this year we’re taking that to the next level. By creating dedicated streams, we’re giving founders guidance that’s tailored to their business model and stage, delivered by people who’ve actually been in their shoes.”
Every Startmate accelerator founder will be part of a specialised stream. Mentors will work closely with them to set ambitious goals, de-risk assumptions, and keep founders focused on progress that matters, from scaling enterprise sales, to building a consumer brand, or commercialising deep tech.
Startmate’s 2025 Stream Leads bring deep founder experience across the ANZ startup ecosystem.
Here’s what it will look like:
AI Stream with Google, Microsoft, Canva, Leonardo.ai and Build Club
The AI stream is supported by a whole suite of expert mentors to give the right support at the right time to the right founder.
The mentors include Google Chief Technologist, Natalie Piucco, Canva Head of AI, Danny Wu, Microsoft’s Monique Alvis from an AI UX angle, Leonardo.ai’s Riccardo Grinover on all things AI product development and Build Club founder Annie Liao.
B2B Stream with Geoff McQueen
Geoff bootstrapped Accelo (professional services automation platform) to over $1 million in ARR, then flipped the business to the US and scaled it to $14m ARR and profitability. He raised $15m, grew the team globally, and ultimately exited in an all-cash PE deal.
Consumer Stream with SJ Kurtini
Sarah-Jane founded a family photo-sharing platform, Tinybeans. She bootstrapped Tinybeans from a 2-person startup to an ASX-listed company, moving the HQ from Sydney to the US. Sarah-Jane now spends her time coaching early-stage founders on positioning and messaging.
Hardware Stream with Tom McLeod
Tom built and exited a B2B SaaS company, and has since invested in 50+ early-stage startups (focus on deep tech), many of which have gone on to raise $100 million+.
He serves as a venture partner at Black Nova Venture Capital and University of Melbourne while also acting as an Executive Director at i14 (recently raised $4m Seed to build novel generative AI architecture).
The Startmate Accelerator, which has supported over 300 startups across Australia and New Zealand since launching in 2010 and will now offer an even more personalised mentorship structure.
Startmate’s Winter ’25 Demo Day is this Thursday, October 23, in Melbourne, with 13 startups pitching.
If you’re keen to get along, the event is, as always, close to sold out, but you may nab a ticket here.
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