Innovation Bay is the startup community built for what comes after the early stage. Since 2003 it has connected Australian tech founders who are scaling in small, trusted peer groups. Apply for membership to see if you're a fit.
Trusted by founders backed by Australia's leading investors and institutions. As featured in Forbes Australia.
Who this startup community is built for
We're specific about this, because being specific is what makes the community valuable.
A founder or active co-founder of a tech business in Australia or New Zealand
Innovation Bay 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 community runs on candour
If you're at the ideation stage or mainly after exposure or capital, this isn't the right fit yet. But if you're past product market fit and scaling a tech business here, you'll be among peers.
Testimonial
A founder or active co-founder of a tech business in Australia or New Zealand
"Joining is one of the best decisions I have made. It is an open and growth oriented environment, where you can talk deeply with entrepreneurs who are going on a similar journey. Innovation Bay allows you to dive into these with fellow entrepreneurs you can trust, as they have no agenda apart from sharing and learning together."
You're placed in a tight-knit peer group at your stage. Fifty percent of members cite this group as their most valuable business support, and 58% of later-stage members grew revenue by more than 50% in their first year.
Our podcast and monthly briefings come from founders who have built and scaled real businesses. Across 190+ episodes, you get hard-won insight from people a step ahead, not commentary.
Introductions that actually matter
With 3,000+ members and $40M+ raised through the network, the people you need to meet are likely already here. We create the conditions for the right conversations, we don't promise outcomes.
Australia's startup community in numbers
20+
years
Australia's longest-standing tech founder and investor community
3,000+
members
Australia's longest-standing tech founder and investor community
$40M+
in seed funding raised through the Innovation Bay network
12
unicorns
connected to our community
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 startup community
Membership isn't open to everyone, and that's deliberate. The value of this community 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 community
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 access to the 3,000-strong member network. Places are limited and filled by application. The first step is a short conversation to check the fit on both sides, not a sales pitch.
Not at that stage yet?
Not ready to apply? Stay close to the community anyway. Subscribe to the monthly briefing and podcast to hear how members are building, and join an open event when the time feels right.
Frequently asked questions about Innovation Bay's startup community
What is Innovation Bay's startup community?
Who is the Innovation Bay startup community designed for?
How much does it cost to join the Innovation Bay startup community?
Is the community only for founders, or can investors join too?
What happens after I apply to join the startup community?
Innovation Bay is Australia's longest-running community 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 community 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 community tier and level of access. Membership includes peer group sessions, the curated events calendar, the Innovation Bay network, and programming produced for and by members.
Innovation Bay 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 Innovation Bay team reviews every application and follows up with a short conversation to make sure the community is a genuine fit for both sides. If it is, we'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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