About this programme
The Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP) is a startup accelerator run by the University of Melbourne, housed at Melbourne Connect (700 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria) and managed by the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre. It has run for over a decade and describes itself as Australia's first university-based accelerator.
MAP provides $20,000 in equity-free funding to each participating team, with no equity or ownership taken and founders keeping full intellectual property. In return, teams get a dedicated desk at the Melbourne Connect office, weekly one-on-one coaching from experienced founders, access to Entrepreneurs in Residence, the MAP mentor network, alumni connections, and workshops covering fundraising, legal and hiring topics.
The program runs on an annual cycle: applications open and close in the northern-hemisphere autumn/Australian mid-year window, and the cohort itself runs for roughly 13 weeks over winter into spring. Startups qualify through one of three pathways: a University of Melbourne affiliation among the founders, a social-impact focus (sponsored by the Cameron Foundation), or a climate-crisis-solutions focus (sponsored by Melbourne Climate Futures).
For a market where CapEasy prepares non-dilutive-funding materials, MAP sits in the equity-free accelerator category rather than the grant or convertible-debt categories more common in the AU public-funding landscape.
How it works
Each accepted team receives $20,000 in equity-free funding for the duration of the program — MAP takes no equity or ownership stake.
The program runs for approximately 13 weeks (the 2026 cohort ran 28 July to 24 October), during which founders are expected to work from the MAP office at Melbourne Connect.
Founders based overseas are expected to relocate to Melbourne for the program duration; flexibility on office attendance is negotiated case by case for team size or specialised needs.
The program structure includes weekly goal-sharing, MAP team meetings, tailored workshops, one-on-one mentor meetings, community-partner lunches and mentor dinners.
Who can apply
A startup qualifies through one of three pathways: (1) a founder or team member with a University of Melbourne affiliation, (2) a social-impact focus, sponsored by the Cameron Foundation, or (3) a climate-crisis-solutions focus, sponsored by Melbourne Climate Futures.
Revenue is not required to be eligible. Not-for-profit structures are acceptable provided the startup has a sustainable revenue model and is not solely dependent on grants or philanthropy.
Applicants need a shareholders' agreement and cap table in place before the program starts, as these are requested as part of due diligence.
Startups are expected to be able to work from the MAP office in Carlton for the program duration; remote participation is possible but discouraged, as in-person attendance strengthens an application.
How to apply
- Stage 1 — written application: founder and startup questions, due-diligence documents (including cap table and shareholders' agreement), and a pitch video, submitted via the MEC application portal.
- Stage 2 — interviews with the MAP team.
- Stage 3 — final panel interview: a pitch presentation followed by Q&A.
- Applicants are typically notified of progression to the next stage within days of completing each stage.
- Prospective applicants can book an office-hours consultation with the MAP team beforehand to discuss their idea and eligibility.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Pitch video (submitted with the online application)
- Cap table
- Shareholders' agreement
- Founder and startup background information
- Other due-diligence documentation requested during the written application stage
Frequently asked
How much funding does MAP provide, and does it take equity?
MAP provides $20,000 in equity-free funding per team. MAP takes no equity or ownership stake, and founders keep full intellectual property ownership.
Who is eligible to apply to MAP?
A startup qualifies through one of three pathways: a University of Melbourne affiliation among the founders, a social-impact focus (sponsored by the Cameron Foundation), or a climate-crisis-solutions focus (sponsored by Melbourne Climate Futures).
Do we need existing revenue or traction to apply?
No. Revenue is not required for eligibility, though market traction is valued where it exists. Not-for-profit applicants are accepted if they have a sustainable revenue model rather than relying solely on grants or philanthropy.
Do we have to work from the MAP office in Melbourne?
Working from the Melbourne Connect office is the expected mode of participation, and overseas-based founders are expected to relocate to Melbourne for the program. Remote participation is possible but discouraged since in-person attendance strengthens a candidacy; exceptions for team size or specialised needs are negotiated individually.
Do I need a product demo for the application?
No, a demo is not required and is actively discouraged in the application stage, since demos are described by the program as notoriously difficult to set up and often perform poorly in a written or video application.
What does the application process involve?
Three stages: a written application (founder/startup questions, due-diligence documents and a pitch video), an interview stage, and a final panel interview with a pitch and Q&A. Applicants are usually told within days whether they progress to the next stage.
Will we get feedback if our application is unsuccessful?
Feedback on Stage 1 rejections is not guaranteed given application volume. Applicants who are unsuccessful at later stages receive feedback where possible.
Reviewed 2026-08-16. Programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.