TL;DR - New year, new you! A list of resources to help you start, launch, grow or scale your startup this year!
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Hey #dreamteam, happy Monday and happy 2022!
So two years ago, I began posting an annual list of resources for startup and scaleup founders that many of you found value from.
So, to be keep the spirit alive, I've updated the list and re-posted for you to check out below.
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So statistically, the two most popular times in the year for people to start new startups/businesses are January (new year, new you!) and July (end of financial year). If 2022 is your year to start/grow/scale your company, then I'd love to recommend some awesome resources for you:
* If you're looking for free online content for how to start and grow your startup/company, check out:
* If you're looking for interesting podcasts about startups, check out:
If you're looking to for a pre-accelerator to validate your idea before you commit, you have a few options:
Speaking of River City Labs, if you're looking for an awesome co-working space with connections/mentors/investors/meetups, then this is still the place to be. Pauline, Zoe and the team are amazing humans, and will happily take you for a tour!
You can check RCL out here: https://rivercitylabs.acs.org.au/home.html
Other co-working spaces include:
If you're connected to a University (student/staff/alumni) - you're in luck! We have some of the best university startup spaces in Australia - check out UQ Ventures,@QUTEntrepreneurship and Griffith University. Otherwise, connect with the teams through the following pages:
If you're up and running and you're now looking for grants, accelerator programs, angel and/or early stage funding, check out AirTree Ventures Open Source VC Document here:
https://docs.google.com/.../1LoF39WfiwJOpivK5xDZ7.../edit...
If you're looking to for an accelerator program, consider:
If you're a social enterprise looking for accelerators as well, we have some great options there too!
If you're looking for early stage funding, you're in luck - there are a number of early stage investors you can check out!
Again, AirTree Ventures have an open sourced investor list that you can check out here too!
https://docs.google.com/.../1LoF39WfiwJOpivK5xDZ7.../edit...
Needing an example term sheet, or other open sourced documents? AirTree Ventures is here to help you again! Check out their free resources for startups here:
https://www.airtree.vc/open-source-vc
If you're you'd like to get some firepower behind your startup, check out Queensland Chief Entrepreneur where the magical Wayne Gerard, Sarah Smith their team are like superheroes without capes. Check out more on their programs here and make sure you are on their mailing list! https://www.chiefentrepreneur.qld.gov.au/
In addition to this, Advance Queensland has a number of awesome resources for startups and scaleups. Check out:
Advance Queensland and Brisbane Business Hub support a number of grants, such as the Lord Mayor's Entrepreneur Grants and the Ignite Ideas Grants that have supported a number of QLD startups in the last 5 years. Check our links to grants here:
If you're looking to upskill in founder skills/financial literacy Advance Queensland and BDO have previously partnered to bring you The Business of Entrepreneurship Program. The next cohort is still to be announced but to check out more info, click the link below:
https://www.bdo.com.au/.../business-of-entrepreneurship or email me at [email protected] for more help! (Full disclosure - I run the BDO for Startups program and am involved in this program. Let me know if I can ever be helpful).
If you post-accelerator startup/scaleup and your working towards a significant Seed/Series A fundraise or international expansion, you're in luck - there are programs for you too!
(Full disclosure - I run the BDO for Startups program and CEO School. Let me know if I can help).
Also, at this stage, your might be looking at formalising an Advisory Board or board of directors. Check out
Meetup Groups
  • There are some amazing meetups run in Brisbane - just google "(your interest) + Meetups Brisbane" to find your tribe!
  • If you're looking for local/global groups of founders who want to change the world together, Aussie Founders Network has start a chapter in Brisbane (http://www.aussiefounders.org/)
  • There is also a whole new female founder program that you can check out here too: https://advance.qld.gov.au/entrep.../female-founders-program
  • If you're a female founder looking for a tribe of amazing humans, you should check out SheEO. Amazing group of women helping one another. Check in with Monica Bradley for more information!
For more official assistance, Austrade, Trade Investment QLD, QIC and Brisbane Economic Development Agency are all looking to help founders either export to markets internationally, or receive investment/clients overseas into Australia. Check them out here:
Travelling has been hard in 2021, and will probably be difficult in 2022 as well. The StartUp Catalyst team however are still a valuable resource to connect you with other global startup hubs like San Francisco, London, Tel Aviv or Boulder. Check them out here!
https://startupcatalyst.acs.org.au/
* Recommended friends of startups:
- Advisers
- Investors
- Hyper-Connectors
- Lawyers:
- Accountants
- R&D Tax & Grants
- ESOP's & Captable Management
- Marketers:
- PR:
- CX/Customer Journey Mapping/Design Thinking
- Recruiters:
- HR
- Founder/Business Coaching
- Tech
- Recommended startup events to consider going to this year:
There are also some amazing specific events for blockchain, SAAS, e-commerce etc too!
If you'd like some help scaling your company and would like to consider a venture studio, recommended startup studio friends include:
Great local startups/tools that you can use/download/trial
(Full disclosure - I have worked with some of these companies as part of the BDO for Startups program).
Even bigger lists of resources:
Thinking of angel investing?
Or maybe working in a startup (women/students/engineers)?
Startup Bucket List 2022 Version
  • Going to a Peter Laurie mentoring session at The Precinct
  • Applying for a Lord Mayor's Business Award (http://www.choosebrisbane.com.au/corporate/lmba...)
  • Get some AWS credits from a friendly AWS Scout,
  • Go to the TEN13 Christmas (may as well get organised!)
  • Starting/launching/scaling - it really is that simple!
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Feel free to add anything I've missed in the comments below!
Good luck for this year #dreamteam, I hope we all have a wonderful 2022!