Launch Club is an 8-week pre-accelerator program designed to assist founders in rigorously validating their ideas, building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and learning how to pitch to investors and mentors. The program is structured to accelerate traction for startups, whether they are in the pre-launch phase or already have a product in the market. The core objectives are to validate the business idea, gain early traction, and develop effective pitching skills.
Program Focus
• Validate a Problem: The program emphasizes listening to and learning from customers to confirm that the problem being addressed is one they are willing to pay to solve.
• Build a Solution (MVP): Founders will use customer insights to develop a product that meets user needs, which will then be tested with those users.
• Prepare for Growth: Participants will receive accelerated learning in key areas such as achieving product-market fit, pitching, and fundraising to advance their startups.
Ideal Candidates
• Founders with an Idea: Individuals with a startup concept who are ambitious to launch. The program helps validate the customer problem, develop a solution, and get it to market quickly.
• Founders with an MVP: Those who have already built an MVP and are seeking mentorship, accountability, and guidance to accelerate their growth.
• Founders Seeking Technical Understanding: Individuals looking for practical content and workshops to demystify the founder journey and prepare for success.
• Eligibility Criteria: Applicants should be actively building a startup idea across any industry. At least one founder must have a connection to Australia or New Zealand, as all sessions are run on ANZ time. The program is focused on scalable, venture-style startups and is not intended for services, agencies, intrapreneurship, charities, or lifestyle businesses. It also serves as a pathway into the Startmate Accelerator.
Program Benefits
• Founder Peers: Participants work alongside other ambitious founders, forming squads of six for mutual support and problem-solving. Regular in-person events and coworking days are available in major cities.
• Mentorship: Access to mentors for specific challenges, including a dedicated mentor for each squad, weekly office hours with a range of mentors, and sessions with early-stage investors for practical feedback.
• Accelerated Learning: The program curates world-class speakers for masterclasses on topics from customer interviews to building an MVP. It is a live, interactive, and action-based experience with 1:1 mentoring sessions and a private Slack channel for cohort connection.
• Community Access: Participants gain entry to the Startmate community of over 4,000 founders, operators, and investors in Australia and New Zealand, providing opportunities for introductions to potential customers, co-founders, and investors.
• Investment Opportunity: The program concludes with a pitch night, offering a chance to secure a $25,000 investment in the startup.
Social Enterprise Stream
A dedicated Social Enterprise stream is available for founders building scalable solutions to significant social or environmental problems. This pathway is for organizations where impact is central to the business model, revenue is linked to the solution, and the structure prioritizes durable outcomes. It welcomes for-profits, hybrids, and purpose-driven non-profits with a model that supports independence and meaningful reach. Participants in this stream receive full access to the core Launch Club program, with additional tailored guidance from leaders in the social enterprise ecosystem.
Program Details
• Duration & Time Commitment: The program runs for 8 weeks. The expected time commitment is 3–6 hours per week for core sessions. The only compulsory live session is the Monday evening All Hands; other optional sessions are recorded. Founders are expected to spend additional time on user engagement and product development.
• Format: All mandatory sessions are delivered virtually, allowing participation from anywhere in Australia and New Zealand. Optional in-person events, such as kick-off drinks and Pitch Night, are held in Melbourne and Sydney.
• Cost: The program fee is $1,100 (incl. GST).
• Employment Status: Founders can participate while maintaining a day job or studying, as the program is designed to build momentum alongside existing commitments.
Application Process
• Stage 1: Online Application: Submit a short written application and a 2–3 minute video addressing prompts about the idea and motivation.
• Stage 2: Speed Interview: If the application is a strong fit, candidates are invited to a 15-minute interview with the Startmate team.
• Stage 3: Outcome: Applicants will be notified of the outcome shortly after the interview.
Launch Club is designed to provide aspiring founders with the support, guidance, and resources needed to launch their startups successfully within a community of peers at the same stage. Unlike passive, content-heavy courses, the program is a live, interactive, and action-based platform. It focuses on making tangible progress through direct interaction with speakers, tailored mentoring, and a supportive cohort, positioning it not just as a learning program but as a direct pathway to engage with investors and build towards real investment.