Stellar
Worth applying?
A Melbourne-based program for funded pre-seed and seed startups with 12 months of runway, offering $30K investment, dedicated workspace and hands-on founder support.
Signal strength
Medium signal
Deadline
11 November 2026
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Amount / benefit
A$30,000
Time to apply
multi-day
Description
Stellar is a 20-week, in-person founder program in Armadale, Melbourne, for funded pre-seed and seed-stage startups. Selected companies receive an A$30,000 investment on the same terms as their latest raise, dedicated workspace for up to three team members, expert mentoring, startup credits and personalised founder support. The program combines commercial development with leadership and wellbeing support, without imposing a rigid workshop schedule. Startups must have 12 months of financial runway and commit to regularly working from Stellar's Melbourne office. Two cohorts run annually, beginning in February and July.
Eligibility
-Must be a pre-seed or seed-stage startup with sufficient funding or self-funded capital. -Must have 12 months of cash runway from the cohort start date, without relying on significant revenue growth. -Open to startups across industries and founders with varying experience levels. -Must have a Melbourne home base and be prepared to use the Armadale office five days per week. - Must complete the application, interviews and due diligence, and execute investment documentation at least two weeks before the cohort begins. - Must agree to Stellar's Code of Conduct. Relocation assistance is not provided.
Tags
Fit notes
Good fit if
- Melbourne-based pre-seed and seed founders with sufficient financial runway.
- Funded startups seeking an experienced founder community and dedicated workspace.
- Founders wanting practical business and leadership support without a rigid accelerator curriculum.
Probably skip if
- Bootstrapped startups without 12 months of operating runway.
- Founders unable to work regularly from the Melbourne office.
Why it matters
Stellar combines a $30K investment with 20 weeks of workspace, personalised support and access to experienced operators. Unlike conventional accelerators, it prioritises helping already-funded founders execute rather than teaching a fixed curriculum. However, its mandatory investment terms, substantial runway requirement and five-day office expectation narrow the eligible audience. As a new program without demonstrated cohort outcomes, medium signal is appropriate.