Innovation Bay has sat at the centre of Australia's startup ecosystem since 2003, the country's longest-running community for tech founders and investors. 3,000+ members, 12 unicorns, more than $40M raised through the network. Apply for membership to be part of it.
Trusted by founders backed by Australia's startup ecosystem leading investors and institutions. As featured in Forbes Australia.
Who the Australia startup ecosystem is built for
We're specific about this, because being specific is what makes the ecosystem valuable.
A Founder or active co-founder of a tech business in Australia or New Zealand
The Australia startup ecosystem is the right fit if you are:
A Founder or active co-founder of a tech business in Australia or New Zealand
Leading a company typically between $1M and $10M ARR with a team of 5 to 50+
Past product/market fit and actively navigating the challenges of scale
Looking for peer insight from founders slightly ahead of you, not generic advice
Ready to give as well as receive, because this ecosystem runs on candour
If you're at the ideation stage or chasing exposure, this isn't the right fit yet. But if you're a scaling tech founder, you'll be joining the network at the centre of the ecosystem.
Testimonial
A Founder or active co-founder of a tech business in Australia or New Zealand
"The challenges of being a tech founder are difficult to shoulder alone. Being a member has given me an instant network of founders that have the same problems, but also, the same passion."
What makes the Australia startup ecosystem different
Small groups, real conversations
You'll join a small peer group of founders at a similar stage, drawn from across the ecosystem. Fifty percent of members cite this group as their most valuable business support when making decisions.
Our podcast and monthly briefings come from founders and operators who have built real companies here. With 190+ episodes, it's insight drawn from the ecosystem itself, not outside theory.
Introductions that actually matter
After 20+ years at the centre of the ecosystem, with 12 unicorns connected to the community, the people you need to meet are usually already in the network.
The Australia startup ecosystem in numbers
20+
years
Australia's longest-standing startup ecosystem for tech founders and investors
3,000+
members
Australia's longest-standing startup ecosystem for tech founders and investors
$40M+
in seed funding raised through the Australia startup ecosystem network
12
unicorns
connected to the Australia startup ecosystem
190+
podcast episodes
from founders and operators who've built and scaled real businesses
A Founder or active co-founder of a tech business in Australia or New Zealand
Apply to join the Australia startup ecosystem
Membership isn't open to everyone, and that's deliberate. The value of the Australia startup ecosystem depends on who's in it.
Here's how it works:
Fill in the application form below and tell us about your business, your stage, and what you're looking to get from the Australia startup ecosystem
We'll review your application and reach out to schedule a short conversation
If it's a good fit on both sides, we'll invite you to join and walk you through the membership options
Membership starts from $5,000 a year and includes your peer group, the events calendar, and the member network. Places are limited and filled by application. The first step is a short conversation to check the fit, not a sales call.
Not at that stage yet?
Not ready to join? You can still follow the ecosystem from the inside. Subscribe to the monthly briefing and podcast, and come to an open event when the time is right.
Frequently asked questions about the Australia startup ecosystem
What is the Australia startup ecosystem?
Who is the Australia startup ecosystem designed for?
How much does it cost to join the Australia startup ecosystem?
Is the Australia startup ecosystem only for founders, or can investors join too?
What happens after I apply to join the Australia startup ecosystem?
The Australia startup ecosystem is Australia's longest-running startup ecosystem for tech founders and investors, founded in 2003. It operates through curated peer groups, a calendar of founder events and retreats, and a broader network of over 3,000 members across Australia and New Zealand. Membership is by application and is focused on post-product/market fit tech founders and investors.
The Australia startup ecosystem is designed for tech founders in Australia and New Zealand who are past product/market fit and actively scaling, typically leading companies with $1M to $10M ARR and teams of 5 to 50+ people. It is not designed for pre-revenue founders, lifestyle businesses, or those primarily seeking networking or capital access.
Membership starts from $5,000 per year, with options up to $9,000 per year depending on the Australia startup ecosystem tier and level of access. Membership includes peer group sessions, the curated events calendar, the Australia startup ecosystem network, and programming produced for and by members.
The Australia startup ecosystem runs separate communities for founders, angel investors and venture capital General Partners. Each has its own programming, events and membership structure. You can indicate which community is the right fit in your application.
The Australia startup ecosystem team reviews every application and follows up with a short conversation to make sure the Australia startup ecosystem is a genuine fit for both sides. If it is, they'll walk you through the membership options and next steps. It's not a sales call. It's a conversation.
Innovation Bay Pty Ltd (ACN 145 690 580). Australia's leading startup community for tech founders and investors since 2003. The material on this website is for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell any financial products. The information is directed and available to residents of Australia only deemed to be Wholesale Clients under section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. This information is intended to be general in nature and is not personal financial product advice. Any advice contained on this page is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided and the nature of the relevant financial product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. You should seek independent financial advice and read the relevant disclosure statements before making an investment decision (including a decision about whether to acquire or continue to hold) about a financial product.
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