Find Startups in Australia
Australia is home to over 24,000 emerging startup ventures. Join 200+ startups already on Foundersbase - be among the first 50 joining in Australia and discover promising early-stage innovation partners today!
Find startups →↓ Explore the startup ecosystem of Australia

Startup Ecosystem in Australia

Startup Ecosystem in Australia
Startup Ecosystem in Australia
Australia has evolved into a vibrant innovation ecosystem that blends strong economic foundations with a growing appetite for technological disruption. Companies like Atlassian, Canva, and Airwallex have emerged as global success stories, while a new generation of startups in fintech, healthtech, and climate tech continues to flourish. The funding landscape is anchored by prominent venture capital firms such as Square Peg Capital, Blackbird Ventures, and AirTree Ventures, which have raised increasingly larger funds to back ambitious founders with global potential. Angel investors play a critical role in the early-stage ecosystem, with networks like Sydney Angels and Melbourne Angels providing not just capital but crucial domain expertise. Accelerator programs have matured significantly, with Startmate emerging as the country's premier program, alongside specialized accelerators like EnergyLab for climate tech and Startmate for healthcare innovations. The Australian government complements private funding through initiatives like the Accelerating Commercialisation grants and R&D Tax Incentives, which are particularly valuable for deep tech ventures. Major innovation hubs in Sydney and Melbourne are increasingly complemented by growing ecosystems in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, creating a nationwide network of support for innovative companies tapping into Australia's advantages in sectors ranging from mining technology to digital health and financial services.
Australia has evolved into a vibrant innovation ecosystem that blends strong economic foundations with a growing appetite for technological disruption. Companies like Atlassian, Canva, and Airwallex have emerged as global success stories, while a new generation of startups in fintech, healthtech, and climate tech continues to flourish. The funding landscape is anchored by prominent venture capital firms such as Square Peg Capital, Blackbird Ventures, and AirTree Ventures, which have raised increasingly larger funds to back ambitious founders with global potential. Angel investors play a critical role in the early-stage ecosystem, with networks like Sydney Angels and Melbourne Angels providing not just capital but crucial domain expertise. Accelerator programs have matured significantly, with Startmate emerging as the country's premier program, alongside specialized accelerators like EnergyLab for climate tech and Startmate for healthcare innovations. The Australian government complements private funding through initiatives like the Accelerating Commercialisation grants and R&D Tax Incentives, which are particularly valuable for deep tech ventures. Major innovation hubs in Sydney and Melbourne are increasingly complemented by growing ecosystems in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, creating a nationwide network of support for innovative companies tapping into Australia's advantages in sectors ranging from mining technology to digital health and financial services.
Discover Innovative Startups in Australia Cities
Australia startups in numbers
Startups in Australia on Foundersbase show a range of characteristics across different early development stages. Among the projects in this region, 47% are currently in the concept phase, exploring early validation, while 53% have developed a minimum viable product (MVP) and are open to forming strategic partnerships. Currently, 37.8% of startups have reached the Prototype phase, one of several indicators of how innovative founding projects in Australia are evolving. A significant share (62%) report open positions, making this a valuable space for entrepreneurial talent looking to join a team early. In terms of funding, 49% of startups are currently seeking investment, while others pursue different approaches to growth. Startups in Australia are active across a wide range of industries, with many focusing on areas such as Software, Genomics, and Real Estate. Alongside sector diversity, projects also address major global challenges. Notable impact innovation topics include Digital Literacy, Fair Trade & Ethical Business, Financial Inclusion, and Job Creation, adding purpose-driven perspectives to the local startup scene. Whether you’re interested in supporting founders, investing in early-stage ventures, or finding opportunities to get involved, the startup activity in Australia offers a great starting point.
Job Offerings
More than (47%) of startups in Australia are actively recruiting talent, while (53%) are focused on building with their current team.
Startup Stage
The Australia startup ecosystem spans various development stages from early ideas to profitable businesses, with most ventures (37.8%) currently at the Prototype stage.
Funding Need
About (69%) of early-stage startups in Australia are seeking external investment to scale their innovations, while (31%) are pursuing a bootstrapped growth approach.
Top innovation sectors
Discover the industries where early-stage startups in Australia are developing innovative solutions and seeking collaboration partners.
Impact Focus
Startups from Australia on Foundersbase most often focus on Digital Literacy, driving innovation in this area.
Discover the startup ecosystem in Australia

Early-stage Startups. Entrepreneurs. Private Investors.
Our platform connects startup supporters, mentors, collaboration partners, and angel investors with promising early-stage ventures in Australia and around the globe. Join our startup community today, its free!
- Discover emerging ventures before anyone else.
- Connect with early-stage startups for collaboration opportunities.
- Support, mentor, and engage with innovative founding teams.
As featured in