Australia’s tech sector has rallied behind the annual Startup Muster survey to forestall it closing, with greater than 22 organisations, together with 10 universities and the federal authorities offering monetary help to make sure its continues in 2026.
The backing got here after founder Murray Hurps introduced at Southstart that he’d been unable to safe funding to proceed the annual startup well being verify he started in 2013.
Amongst these contributing are the Metropolis of Sydney, Stone and Chalk, the Canberra Innovation Community 1000 Ladies in AI and Pledge 1%.
Hurps stated he was thrilled and humbled by the response to the potential lack of the survey, which is utilized by governments and trade as a key perception into the challenges, successes and sentiments of native startups and founders. Greater than 45 policy-focused paperwork have cited Startup Muster information in help of coverage positions.
“Startups are the place the way forward for our economic system reveals up first. With AI altering how firms are constructed, and governments altering the principles round them, we should make sure that they’re understood and their voice is heard,” he stated.
“I’ve by no means seen a extra notable case of nationwide help for a startup initiative. Seeing the likes of CareSuper, ANU, Charles Darwin college, ARENA, NAIC, IP Australia and DISR lean in has not simply made this work attainable, but in addition made it clear we should get this proper.”
Hurps says the sector continues to construct regardless of the challenges thrown at it. In unprecedented present of educational backing and collaboration, Professor Rowena Barrett of QUT, issued a press release urging help for Startup Muster’s future, that was co-signed by entrepreneurship program leaders at 21 universities across the nation.
“Australia is a rustic of hardy startups, and likewise hardy startup supporters,” Hurps stated.
“The 30+ college entrepreneurship applications working to enhance graduate outcomes and affect regardless of cuts, the buyers working to search out native alternatives when LPs are calling to query their dealflow, the elements of presidency going above and past to maintain innovation on the agenda, the native success tales working to help the following technology in Australia after they didn’t have that help themselves, and most of all – the present technology of startups which are working to create what truly issues. This survey exists for an ecosystem that deserves to be showcased.”
Questions needed
The survey will likely be open throughout July and August, with the free nationwide report printed in November 2026, and additional free deep dive stories to observe.
Hurps stated that as they put together for this yr’s Startup Muster, he’s keen to listen to what questions urgently want asking in 2024. Ideas ought to be emailed data@startupmuster.com by June 15.
Startup Muster will as soon as once more have state-based coordinators to make sure opinions from throughout the nation are represented.
Whereas AI is reshaping startups and work itself, the federal authorities’s proposed adjustments to tax and R&D help, are more likely to entrance of thoughts for respondents this yr.
Hurps stated the survey, which has been downloaded by greater than 1000 distinctive customers throughout 186 Australian authorities departments, was at all times targeted on “higher information for higher selections” alongside its mission to measure and publish the progress, challenges and alternatives within the Australian startup ecosystem.
Startup Muster 2026 supporters are are
• The Australian Authorities and Division of Business, Science and Sources (returning for a fifth time)
• Australian Renewable Power Company (2nd time)
• Metropolis of Sydney (third time)
• CareSuper (its first tremendous fund supporter)
• Stone & Chalk (third time)
• Nationwide AI Centre (2nd time)
• IP Australia
• Pledge 1% (third time)
• Queensland College of Know-how (third time)
• College of Newcastle (2nd time)
• College of NSW (2nd time)
• Australian Nationwide College
• College of Sydney
• Swinburne College of Know-how
• College of Tasmania
• Charles Darwin College
• Flinders College
• Curtin College
• Baxter IP (third time)
• Gild Group (4th time)
• Canberra Innovation Community (2nd time)
• 1000 Ladies in AI
The nationwide group is: Maxine Sherrin (NSW), Claire Gifford (VIC), Kate Montgomery (QLD), Danielle Seymour (SA), Nate Sturcke (WA), Taz Devadass (TAS), Petr Adámek (ACT), Emma Nesbitt (NT), with Murray Hurps (MD), Danielle Hurps (inventive director), and Muhammad Jafer (CTO).
