The Blackbird Ventures ‘Foundry’ program is a launchpad designed to assist ambitious researchers, including PhD students, early-career researchers (ECRs), and established academics, in transforming frontier research and science-led startup ideas into viable companies. As an 8-week pre-accelerator, Foundry aims to bridge the gap between academia and the startup ecosystem by providing a structured, supportive environment to test concepts and develop a plan for addressing significant global challenges. The program offers foundational resources, mentorship, and a community network to help participants explore the commercial potential of their research.
Program Overview
• Program Cost: Free for all participants and their affiliated organizations.
• Duration: 8 weeks.
• Time Commitment: A minimum of 4 hours per week is required.
• Cohort Size: 10 teams per cohort.
• Location: The program is delivered in a hybrid format, combining online sessions with in-person events in Australia.
Funding and Prizes
• Team Funding: Each participating team receives $1,000 in non-dilutive funding. The program takes no equity.
• Prize Money: A final prize of $5,000 is awarded to the winning pitch at the conclusion of the program.
Program Benefits and Structure
• Tailored Coaching: Participants receive 1:1 sessions with experienced founders, operators, and investors for hands-on support and guidance.
• Weekly Seminars: The program includes short, practical sessions focused on key topics for deep tech startups, such as identifying a market wedge, storytelling, finding product-market fit, and navigating technical risk.
• Community and Network: Teams build alongside other ambitious founders and gain access to resources, partners, and events within the Blackbird network, which includes a community of over 200 builders.
• Weekly Schedule: The base time commitment includes 2 hours for seminars/Q&A, 2 hours per fortnight for cohort dinners, 1 hour per fortnight for mentor meetings, and 1-2 hours for side quests and group check-ins.
Eligibility Criteria
• Team Composition: The program is aimed at researchers, scientists, engineers, and inventors. Anyone with a compelling startup idea may apply.
• University Affiliation: At least one team member must be enrolled or employed at a university.
• Regional Connection: At least one team member must have a strong link to Australia or New Zealand, though teams can be based anywhere in the world.
• Idea Stage: Applicants should have at least the beginning of a startup idea. No product, protected IP, or specific Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is required.
Key Dates for Cohort 6 (2026)
• Applications Open: 19 January 2026
• Applications Close: 25 February 2026, 5:00pm AEST
• Application Outcomes Communicated: 13 March 2026
• Program Dates: 23 March - 15 May 2026
Application Process
The application process begins with a written submission. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a brief interview. Decisions are typically made within 10 days of the application closing date. The written application includes the following questions:
• Problem: Describe the problem you want to solve, its importance, and what it will take to solve it.
• Solution: Explain your solution, the unique insight that underpins it, and why it is a superior approach.
• Team: Introduce your team and explain why you are the right people to solve this problem.
• Vision: Describe what the world will look like in 10 years if you are successful.
• References: Attach papers or other references that explain the foundations of your solution.
Notable Mentors and Alumni
• Previous Mentors and Speakers: David Bell (Remedy Robotics), Elise Jenkins (Coherence Neuro), Hemant Chaurasia (Fleet Space), Jekaterina Viktorova (Syenta), Kathryn Zealand (Skip), Adam Gilmour (Gilmour Space), John Carroll & Eamonn Colley (Vexev), Cibby Pulikkaseril (Baraja), Hon Weng Chong (Cortical Labs), and Nick Opie (Synchron).
• Successful Alumni: Foundry teams have raised over $72 million from investors including Lightspeed, Local Globe, DCVC, and Blackbird. Notable alumni companies include Iceberg Quantum, Cell Bauhaus, and Unsloth.
Foundry is positioned as a unique program focused on fostering ambition and quality without concern for intellectual property. It encourages participants to pursue the most impactful version of their ideas, providing world-class mentorship and a bespoke, creative program to help them navigate long timelines and technical risk. The initiative is built on the belief that the next wave of world-changing companies will emerge from researchers who are given the support and courage to take their first entrepreneurial leap.