Open opportunities
Browse startup grants, accelerators, fellowships and startup programs currently open or accepting interest.
Character Labs
Character Labs is a 5-week hybrid accelerator for idea-stage and pre-seed software startups focused entirely on achieving product-market fit. Every accepted company receives US$200,000 for 5% equity on acceptance. The program is built around a series of intensive sprints covering product positioning, customer validation, sales, marketing, design and fundraising, led by the creators of the Design Sprint and Foundation Sprint. It concludes with a Demo Day and ongoing support, with Character committing to invest its pro rata share in future funding rounds.
Good fit: Technical founders with a strong product idea but no product-market fit yet.
Alliance Accelerator
The Alliance Accelerator is a highly selective 10-week accelerator for crypto and fintech startups, accepting companies across stages from pre-product and pre-revenue onward. The program begins with two weeks in New York City, followed by seven weeks remotely and a final Demo Day in New York. Accepted companies receive US$400,000 immediately via a SAFE at a US$4M post-money valuation, plus a 1:1 token side letter, with another US$400,000 potential follow-on at Seed. Alliance runs three cohorts per year and accepts global participants, making Australian founders explicitly eligible.
Good fit: Australian crypto or onchain founders from pre-product onward.
Buy Australian AI Partnership Program
The Buy Australian AI Partnership Program is an 8-week national program helping Australian AI companies become ready to sell into large enterprises, with the first intake focused on financial services. Delivered by Stone & Chalk and sponsored by the National AI Centre, it provides workshops, industry expertise, exposure to enterprise procurement and direct engagement with potential buyers. Founding enterprise partners include Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB and Cuscal. The program focuses on helping companies navigate security, governance, risk, compliance and procurement requirements and progress toward pilots and commercial discussions.
Good fit: Australian AI companies with a proven product ready to sell into large enterprises.
The Solo Founders Program
The Solo Founders Program is a 3-month, in-person founder program in San Francisco designed exclusively for solo founders building technology companies. Every accepted founder receives a US$100,000 investment on founder-friendly terms in exchange for 2.5% equity, weekly 1:1 coaching with the founder of the program, dedicated office space, a cohort of other solo founders, optional housing, and access to more than US$800K in startup perks. The program is stage-agnostic, supporting founders from pre-launch through post-revenue, provided they are building full-time.
Good fit: Solo founders building venture-scale technology startups who want their first institutional investor.
Mosaic Accelerator
Mosaic Accelerator Fall 2026 is a 10-week online accelerator for intersectional women, transgender and non-binary founders, focused on building sustainable businesses through revenue rather than venture funding. Two eight-person cohorts are offered: one for founders moving from idea to first revenue, and another for businesses already in market that need to restart growth. The program combines weekly sessions, AI-supported business building, customer acquisition, pricing and operational systems with access to experienced operators through Mosaic's “Village.” Australian founders are explicitly eligible. Applications close 9 October 2026.
Good fit: Australian founders from the target communities who want structured support getting from idea to first revenue.
NVIDIA Inception
NVIDIA Inception is a free, ongoing startup program for companies building with AI and accelerated computing. Members receive access to NVIDIA developer tools and training, preferred pricing on selected NVIDIA hardware and software, partner offers and free cloud credits, as well as potential exposure to NVIDIA's global investor ecosystem. Unlike a traditional accelerator, there are no cohorts, application deadlines, membership fees or equity requirements, and startups can apply regardless of funding stage.
Good fit: Australian AI startups with an incorporated company and at least one developer.