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Companies not rounds
Ambition not IP
Ambition not IP
Ambition not IP
Ambition not IP
Ambition not IP
Ambition not IP
Ambition not IP
Ambition not IP
Ambition not IP
Ambition not IP
Back to Programs
Foundry
Turn
frontier
research
into
a
real
startup
Cohort 6 applications now open
Hybrid
Enter the 8-week Foundry portal
Foundry is Blackbird’s launchpad for ambitious researchers who want to test a science-led startup idea and level up fast.
Program cost: Free.
Time commitment: 8 weeks, minimum 4 hour weekly commitment.
Cohort size: 10 teams per cohort.
Location: Hybrid (online + in-person sessions in Australia).
Funding: $1k non-dilutive per team. We take no equity.
Prize Money: $5k final prize for the winning pitch.
What you can expect
You’ll leave with a sharper thesis, a real plan for the next 12 months, early evidence you can build on and a network that takes your ambition seriously.
Coaching that moves you
1:1 tailored sessions with founders, operators, and investors who have built hard things. Expect hands-on support, growth and clarity.
Level up with weekly seminars
Short, practical sessions on the stuff that matters for deep tech: choosing your wedge, telling your story, finding real pull and building through technical risk.
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A community of 200+ builders
You’ll build alongside other ambitious teams, learn what “good” looks like early and access resources, partners and events within the Blackbird network.
Alumni have raised $72M+
Foundry teams have gone on to raise millions from venture investors like Lightspeed, Local Globe, DCVC and Blackbird, proceeded to specialised and world-class accelerators (including Startmate, Y Combinator and Mass Robotics), have landed early customers and, most importantly, are building consequential companies.
Iceberg Quantum
Fault-tolerant quantum architectures designed to slash qubit overhead. Working with PsiQuantum and Oxford Ionics. $2M+ raised.
Cell Bauhaus
Hybrid mechanistic + ML cell models to make biology programmable and unlock better cell factories. $2.25M pre-seed, $3M Gates Foundation grant, first wet lab validation in 2025.
Unsloth
New infrastructure for fine-tuning LLMs, already used by NVIDIA, NASA, and Meta. 2M+ monthly downloads.
Previous mentors and speakers
Foundry mentors and speakers include founders and operators from world-class frontier tech companies.
David Bell
CEO, Co-founder – Remedy Robotics
Elise Jenkins
CTO, Co-founder – Coherence Neuro
Hemant Chaurasia
CTPO – Fleet Space
Jekaterina Viktorova
CEO, Co-founder – Syenta
Kathryn Zealand
CEO, Founder – Skip
Adam Gilmour
CEO, Co-founder – Gilmour Space
John Carroll & Eamonn Colley
Co-founders – Vexev
Plus many more...
The fine print
Key dates
Applications open: 19 January 2026
AMA: TBA
Applications close: 25 February 2026, 5:00pm AEST
Application outcomes: 13 March 2026
Program dates: 23 March - 15 May 2026
Eligibility
Someone on your team is enrolled or employed at a university
Someone on your team has a strong link to Australia or New Zealand
You have at least the beginning of a startup idea
You can commit 4+ hours/week for 8 weeks
Download the Foundry Manifesto
The Manifesto outlines our beliefs about scientists starting companies.
Foundry is our bet that the next wave of world-changing companies will come from researchers who choose ambition and have the courage to take that first leap.
World's best mentors & speakers
01
Our mentors include Cibby Pulikkaseril (co-founder of Baraja), Elise Jenkins (co-founder of Opto Bio), Hon Weng Chong (founder of Cortical Labs), David Bell (co-founder of Remedy Robotics), and Nick Opie (co-founder of Synchron). Our speaker lineup’s even better---be ready for exclusive masterclasses with deep tech and science’s best.
Wildest ambitions, greatest impact
02
Reality follows ambition. Foundry encourages you to identify the greatest impact you can have, and helps you chart a path to it. All you need is an idea. We're not fazed by long timelines and technical risk---we're as hungry as you are to solve the most important problems.
Bespoke, creative program
03
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to changing the world. Foundry covers the basics of business-building, but focuses on developing the skills and character you need to start a frontier tech company. You can choose where to go deeper.
FAQ
Who can apply?
Foundry is aimed at researchers---scientists, engineers, inventors---who are curious about founding a startup and have the seed of a world-changing idea. That said, anyone can apply with a wild startup idea. One person on your team needs to be an Australian or Kiwi. You can be based anywhere in the world!
Our archetypical founding team is led by one to three PhD students or EMCRs, who are supported by their research supervisor/s, but we love being surprised!
What's the application process?
The application is designed to be simple. Fill in the written application (questions below). We'll be in contact within a week following the application deadline with next steps. If you're progressed, there'll be a short interview. Decisions are made within 10 days of applications closing.
The written application questions are:
- Tell us about the problem you want to solve. Why is it important? What will it take for it to be solved?
- Explain your solution. What secret have you learned about the world that underpins this solution? Why do you think it might be a good solution? Why might it be better than others?
- Tell us about your team. Who are you, and why are you the people to solve this problem?
- What does the world look like in 10 years, in the case that you’re successful?
- Attach a few papers or other references that explain the foundations of your solution.
Can I get feedback on my application?
Yes, absolutely! We review applications weekly and provide feedback. You’re welcome to resubmit. If you have any questions, please email Saron at sberhane@blackbird.vc.
What's the time commitment?
The base time commitment for the Foundry program is:
- 2 hours per week in seminar/Q&A;
- 2 hours per fortnight for cohort dinner;
- 1 hour per fortnight for mentor meetings.
- 1-2 hours per week for side quests and group check ins.
However, we subscribe to Nutrigrainism: you get out what you put in. You are invited to dig in as deep as you would like.
Does Blackbird invest in Foundry companies?
We do not invest in Foundry companies automatically, but prior-cohort participants have raised venture rounds from Blackbird, Startmate, Possible Ventures, Investible and Outset Ventures.
What’s the cost?
There’s no cost to participants or any organisations with which they’re affiliated.
How does the competition work?
We run a competition/pitch event at the end of the program. A select panel of judges chooses the winning team who walks away with a A$5k cash prize—no strings attached.
Will you sign an NDA before I submit my application/participate?
As a general rule, no - it’s not standard, and it shouldn’t be necessary. But if it’s a dealbreaker for you, email Saron, our program lead at sberhane@blackbird.vc.
Where should I go if I have further questions?
Email Saron, our program lead at sberhane@blackbird.vc
It's time to turn your bright ideas into reality
Apply to Cohort 6, 2026 now
Apply now
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