StartMate Applications now open (closing at the end of November)

The twitter-sphere has been lit up with announcements from StartMate that they are now open for applications. But, what is StartMate?

Startmate is a group of startup executives offering mentorship and seed financing to founders of Internet and Software businesses based in Australia. Our first program is in the first quarter of 2011 in Sydney and applications will open later this year.

We want to help the most exceptional technically-focused founders create world class companies that solve customer problems.

The three month program offers a $25,000 investment, mentorship from more than 20 successful founders, sage legal counsel and a two week trip to Silicon Valley. At the conclusion of the program there are two demo days, one in Sydney and one in Silicon Valley, where you present in front of early stage investors.

We strongly believe in lean startup principles. The biggest risk in a startup is not whether someone will steal your idea or if you can build a product but rather that no one will care. Startmate is designed to help you win your first customers and work through the initial stages of customer discovery.

I have met a number of the mentors, and indeed, their names should be familiar with you, too. They have an exceptional depth and breadth of experiences related to high-tech web start-ups. Like me, some still occasionally get mistaken for uni students. They may not have grey hair, but that doesn't seem to matter in the GenY business world. They also have a huge heart for the younger entrepreneurs who may not even realize the global social impact their innovations may have.

Over the last couple weeks, the Sydney new ventures community has been on fire with events, including Tech23, the Young Entrepreneurs' Unconvention, SydStart, and Startup Camp Sydney (See also SMH article or ASB media release). Tonight is Seed Accelerator's Startup Networking Party, and CIE's Peter Farrell Cup is still coming up, too! A common element between these events were that there was always someone from StartMate there. The next wave of innovators are revving up, and the angels/mentors are now ready for business (from an email from Niki):

We've opened up the applications for the inaugural wave of Startmate. Folks can find out more here:http://www.startmate.com.au/application-process and apply here: http://hirehive.com/apps/488RSG

Applications will close at the end of November and the final round interviews will be held in early December. 

Startmate is premised on helping small teams of technical founders get started on building great companies. More details on the program here: http://www.startmate.com.au/program-details The first wave of StartMate will begin in January of 2011 in Sydney.

Ready ... Set ... Go!