Startmate has reignited its tradition of taking Australian and New Zealand founders to San Francisco, a practice paused since 2020 due to the pandemic. This month, 19 founders from its 2026 cohort traveled to the city to engage with prominent venture capital firms such as a16z, Sequoia, Accel, Menlo Ventures, General Catalyst, and Google Ventures. The trip included investor meetings, pitch-deck feedback sessions, and interactions with ANZ entrepreneurs who have successfully relocated to the US. The initiative culminated in Startmate’s inaugural US Demo Day at Stripe headquarters, where these founders presented their companies to a gathering of American investors and industry leaders. Startmate’s CEO, Phoebe Pincus, emphasized the importance of this experience in expanding the horizons of ANZ founders, highlighting the difference between theoretical global ambitions and witnessing firsthand the environments where such companies thrive. Emma Grife, Head of Founders, noted the significance of exposure to Silicon Valley’s dynamic pace and ambitious mindset for Antipodean entrepreneurs, underscoring the need for access and proximity to global markets. Since its inception in 2011, Startmate has supported over 350 startups, collectively valued at over $4.5 billion.
Why are 19 ANZ founders heading to San Francisco with Startmate?
