Genesis Accelerator 2026

About

A bi-annual accelerator program designed to support startup founders through mentoring, education, and networking opportunities, culminating in a pitch competition for equity-free funding. Participants gain access to a community of experienced mentors and resources to help accelerate their business growth.

Benefits

• 💰Financial Support
  $30,000 in equity-free funding awarded to the top startup at the Finale
• 🎓Mentorship Program
  Access to one-on-one mentoring from industry experts
• 🏢Networking Opportunities
  Invitations to networking events and alumni gatherings
• 🌐Resource Access
  Access to a database of entrepreneurship resources and a startup job board
• 📈Business Development
  Workshops on legal, financial, and marketing skills relevant to startups
• 🎤Exposure Opportunities
  Ongoing social media promotion and visibility for participating startups

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to startups where at least one founder is a University of Sydney student, alumni, researcher, academic, or professional staff
• Teams can include external members
• Startups should have a minimum level of development, such as a proof of concept or MVP
• Ideas must originate from team members and the IP must belong to the team
• Teams can be solo founders or groups of any size

Participation Commitments

• Must attend five in-person events during the program, including the kickoff and Finale
• Must submit a video pitch as part of the application process
• Teams must provide accurate and complete information about their startup
• Attendance at all sessions is required to graduate from the program

Target Sector

Focused on various sectors including AI, SaaS, healthcare, fintech, and more

Target Location

Open to participants from the University of Sydney community