Applications for the 2024 Plus Eight Accelerator program are now open, and this year the program has increased its seed funding pool to become one of Australia’s largest seed-funded programs. Designed to help local Australian startups scale globally, Plus Eight provides a structured program, world-class mentoring, international immersions, and seed funding. To date, Plus Eight Accelerator has accelerated 43 local startups, invested over $2.5M+ through its partner network, facilitated $16M+ in follow-on investments, and has an overall portfolio valuation of $110M+.
Successful applications will be invited to an intensive Bootcamp, where they will pitch, pivot, and present their startups for a place in Phase One of the program. Over the nine weeks, they will enjoy connections to world-leading mentors — including Dr Marcus Tan, who joins the program as 2024 Entrepreneur in Residence, and Kirsty Packer, Investment Manager at Purpose Ventures as Program Lead.
The startups that are successful in their pitch to enter Phase Two will have access to a pool of over $1 million in seed funding and enjoy an international immersion trip to London to explore options for entering the UK market.
“The Plus Eight program has a strong track record of identifying and supporting high calibre founders and providing them with the support to go on to raise further funding to grow their impressive businesses.” Marcus Tan, Plus Eight Entrepreneur in Residence shared.
“In conjunction with an amazing lineup of mentors, I’m looking forward to discovering the talent that is out there in the startup ecosystem and helping them make a huge impact on the world. We are looking for ambitious founders looking to solve big problems with the courage, cleverness and hustle to fight their way through the inevitable roadblocks along the way.” Marcus continued.
With the support of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation New Industries Fund, Sherkane, BetterLabs, Woodside Energy, Vici Ventures, adapt, Hawaiian, Jackson McDonald and DFK Gooding Partners, the 2024 program is set to be an unparalleled success.
If you’re a high-growth startup interested in joining the program, click here to learn more and get started on your application (applications close on March 29.)