The UNSW Founders 10x Accelerator turns 10 with its 2026 program, providing 10 weeks of intensive, bespoke help to founders from skilled operators and buyers.
Since 2017 this system has backed 135 startups, helped increase $277 million in post-program funding and generated greater than $1 billion in mixed enterprise worth in a decade.
It has three streams: Well being, Local weather and All Industries. The Well being and Local weather streams are open to any Australian founder no matter UNSW affiliation innovating in these areas. This system has a renewed give attention to making ready startups to develop internationally.
David Burt, director of entrepreneurship at UNSW, mentioned that as know-how and geopolitics shift so quickly, defaulting to what’s labored previously is a simple mistake.
“The chance is all the time there for founders who’re keen to step away from the gang and discovering a helpful new method ahead,” he mentioned.
“At UNSW Founders our philanthropic mannequin allows us to help founders like this lengthy earlier than any monetary investor can again them. Our assets assist the following technology to pursue concepts that will in any other case not be tried.”
Going international
The startups chosen for this system every obtain a $100,000 SAFE funding, skilled teaching, entry to Australia’s deepest R&D community and direct pathway to the Global Innovation Foundry – the college’s purpose-built ecosystem for worldwide enlargement.
This 12 months, UNSW Founders has secured funding for startups to discover international markets by way of partnerships with worldwide collaborators together with ARENA2036 in Germany.
Final 12 months, the 10x Accelerators supported 25 startups, together with Bearhug Pallet Wraps, which developed a reusable pallet wrap and automation system for international logistics.
They took half within the Local weather cohort in 2025, accessing the brand new World Innovation Foundry post-program to develop into Europe and are actually collaborating with ARENA 2036.
Cofounder Max Higgins, had no prior affiliation to UNSW and was referred to this system by an exterior supporter, after being given suggestions they wanted to check out their enterprise mannequin.
“UNSW’s Local weather 10x program delivers precisely the help startups want, precisely after they want it. You acquire entry to trade consultants who supply real-world steerage, and a program workforce that actually invests in your success,” he mentioned.
“The Local weather 10x workforce go above and past to assist by sharing their networks and providing help that feels considerate, strategic, and particular to your startup.”
Serving to along with your specialty
The Well being program provides experience in regulatory pathways and medical gadget improvement.
Arelis, which is reimagining diagnostics in girls’s well being, beginning with endometriosis, was in a part of final 12 months’s program. Their non-invasive urine take a look at makes use of infrared spectroscopy and AI to ship quick, correct danger outcomes, slicing diagnostic delays from years to weeks.
Founder Tori Fox is, like most well being startup founders, centered on medical pathways.
“Well being 10x was precisely what I got here for – and I received it. Program Supervisor Joseph Po was invaluable, having somebody contained in the college system with company to assist navigate analysis processes,” she mentioned.
“This system’s regulatory help enabled Arelis to really feel extra outfitted to evaluate what’s required, even when the data supplied wasn’t straight relevant but.”
This system is rising and adapting their providing to create an ecosystem, with applications that profit the broader ecosystem past UNSW.
P2AgentX founder, Dr Jim Joseph John took half in earlier stage applications earlier than shifting on to Local weather 10x.
“Greater than the learnings, it was the individuals who made it actually particular – Maddy, Nina, and Eleni introduced a stage of care, dedication, and real funding in our success that I hadn’t anticipated,” he mentioned.
“They didn’t simply information us by means of the applications; they turned a part of our story. I’m deeply grateful to the UNSW Founders workforce for constructing one thing that doesn’t simply train you the best way to navigate Australia’s startup ecosystem, it makes you’re feeling such as you actually belong in it.”
UNSW Founders is holding a How to Ace your Application session this Weds, Might 6.
Functions for the 2026 10X accelerator applications shut Might 18. Apply here.
