Brisbane’s innovation ecosystem is buzzing once again as StartClub_BNE proudly welcomes its fourth cohort of visionary founders. Hosted at The Precinct, this 12-week pre-accelerator program remains Queensland’s go-to launchpad for early-stage startups that are ready to validate, build and grow.
Following the success of the first three cohorts – which have supported over 30 emerging startups – Cohort 4 brings together a dynamic and diverse group of entrepreneurs tackling real-world problems with innovative, tech-driven solutions.
Program Manager Holly Hudson highlights the importance of the program for early-stage startups, “StartClub_BNE isn’t just a program – it’s a community built to nurture ideas and founders. By connecting early-stage startups with mentorship, education, and exposure, the program plays a vital role in fuelling Queensland’s innovation economy and positioning Brisbane as a national startup powerhouse.”
This cohort features innovators from across multiple industries including climate-tech, health, education, prop-tech, construction, personal safety and data, and more:
- Denish and Meghna Capatwala, co-founders of Carbonly.ai: an AI system that eliminates the manual workload of sustainability reporting by automating emissions, ESG, and environmental data entry, so businesses can focus on impact, not admin.
- Catherine de Ruyter de Wildt, founder of NextGenAchiever$: a hands-on learning platform teaching kids financial literacy through real-world projects like launching a craft business – to build lifelong money skills, confidence and community engagement.
- Cassie Crofts, founder of Date Dirt: the ultimate sidekick for women – catching red flags before feelings develop, helping users stay safe, skip the wrong matches and find love with confidence.
- Lachlan Tran and Jethro Yang, co-founders of Zylo: your personal organisational AI tool built for the procrastinating ADHD mind, turning overwhelming tasks into manageable, rewarding goals, incorporating physical and cognitive exercises throughout your day to stay focused, feel accomplished and never leave deadlines to the last minute again.
- Aleks Jankovic, founder of Vivo.AI: an AI-powered stakeholder engagement platform built for infrastructure and government projects that automates reporting, delivers predictive insights, and helps project teams reduce risk and build community trust at scale.
- James Grundy, founder of LocalVendor: a B2B SaaS platform that connects principal contractors with qualified local subcontractors – streamlining tendering, compliance and procurement to boost efficiency and local economic participation.
- Ravi Velampally, founder of HBN-tech: a smart property marketplace platform connecting home buyers with verified mortgage brokers and real estate professionals. Simplifying the property journey with speed and trust.
- Adi Khanna and Emad Hassan, co-founders of Lysto: Lysto empowers homeowners to sell their homes without an agent. Using AI, intuitive tools and a built-in services marketplace to simplify and demystify the sales process.
- Brendan O’Connor, founder of Teaching Toolkit: an all-in-one, AI-powered platform created to tackle classroom admin. Inspired by real teacher pain points, it helps educators save time, stay organised and focus on what matters most; teaching.
Over 12 weeks, Cohort 4 founders will refine their business models, sharpen their pitches and build momentum – all culminating in Pitch Night 4.0, where they’ll present to a room full of founders, investors, stakeholders and the broader startup community.
Pitch Night 4.0
📆 Thu 14 Aug, 4pm – 7pn
📍At The Precinct
🎟️ Get tickets here
As Brisbane continues to grow its reputation as a startup powerhouse, StartClub_BNE is lighting the path for founders brave enough to build something new.
🚀 Want to be part of the action?
Learn more and drop your expression of interest here for the next cohort of StartClub_BNE launching early next year.