Register to enter
Register to enter

The program

An accelerator with a competition at the end.

Every year the ATC takes a cohort of Australian startups and scale-ups through months of hands-on work. The goal is a stronger company: one that is ready to raise capital or reach its next growth milestone.

Register to enter Check eligibility
A ribbon winding past a mentoring table, a business plan, rising stacks of capital and a workshop easel, before climbing onto a small stage with an award under a spotlight

  1. 01 Selected

    Startups and scale-ups from every corner of Australian tech.

    Founders apply for free. Independent judges read every entry and shortlist the companies with real technology, real traction and a global mindset. Those semi-finalists join the cohort.

    • Free to apply
    • Every sector, from medtech to space
    • Shortlisted by independent judges

  2. 02 Matched

    Each company is paired with a mentor who has done it before.

    We match every semi-finalist with a mentor from a pool of more than 200 operators, investors, corporate leaders and commercialisation experts, chosen for that company’s stage and sector.

    • One-to-one mentoring
    • Matched on sector and stage
    • Objective, outside eyes
    Founders and a mentor working through a plan at a Masterclass table

  3. 03 Planned

    Business plan and growth plan, pulled apart and rebuilt.

    With their mentor, founders work through the business plan and the growth plan: the market, the customer, the model and what it takes to get to the next stage. It is hands-on, and it is written down.

    • Business plan
    • Growth plan
    • Go-to-market and pricing
    Marc Orchard presenting “Why pricing matters” at the Growth Masterclass

  4. 04 Funded

    A financing and capital-raising strategy that will hold up in the room.

    We work through how the company will fund its growth: how much, from whom and when. Founders meet investors and get a straight answer to the question every raise turns on: are you fundable?

    • Capital-raising strategy
    • Investor sessions
    • Grants and R&D guidance
    Founders and investors talking during a Masterclass networking session

  5. 05 Judged

    Present it all to a panel of judges, and get even more feedback.

    Companies take their plans to independent judges drawn from venture capital, corporate Australia and science. Judges give structured feedback along the way. Finalists pitch for five minutes on a national stage.

    • Independent judging panel
    • Structured feedback
    • Live final pitches
    A finalist pitching on stage at the 2026 National Finals

  6. 06 Sharpened

    Specialist workshops on the exact things that move a company forward.

    The Growth Masterclass and the workshops that follow cover pitching, go-to-market, pricing, IP, AI and capital raising, run by people who do it for a living.

    • Growth Masterclass
    • Pitching and digital marketing
    • IP, pricing and AI
    A panel on customer fit and go-to-market for global growth

  7. And then

    Capital raised. Milestones hit. A company that’s ready for what’s next.

A typical year

From application to awards night.

Exact dates are confirmed each year when applications open.

  1. Feb – May Applications open. Free to enter.
  2. May Round one judging. Semi-finalists announced.
  3. Jun – Aug Mentoring, Growth Masterclass, workshops and investor sessions. Growth plans submitted.
  4. Aug Main judging. Finalists announced.
  5. Sep Live pitches, then the National Finals & Awards night in Sydney.
A full room of founders at the ATC Growth Masterclass

How judges assess

Substance over stagecraft.

Judges look for the technologies and ventures with the greatest global potential. The pitch matters, but the business behind it matters more.

  • Scalable technology with strong commercial potential
  • Evidence of an MVP and early traction
  • A clear answer to a real-world problem
  • Demonstrated customer need
  • A global mindset

Questions

What founders ask us.

Does it cost anything?

No. Applying is free, and so is the mentoring semi-finalists receive.

What do I need to apply?

A short Round 1 entry: what your technology is, why it will become a successful business, the market and customer need, and how you will build it. You can add your logo and one photo or diagram.

Is it only for early-stage startups?

No. The cohort runs from pre-revenue startups to established scale-ups. What matters is real technology, an MVP and traction in Australia.

Which sectors are eligible?

All technology sectors. Recent award categories include AI, clean energy, medtech and pharma, fintech, deeptech, cybersecurity, agribusiness, social impact and growth equity.

Can I apply again?

Yes, and returning companies do well. In 2026 two companies that had entered before came back with new progress and won their categories.

Who runs the ATC?

The Australian Technologies Competition is owned and operated by Scalare Partners, an early-stage technology investor and business advisory firm. It was founded in 2010 and Scalare took it on in 2023.