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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
FOUNDRY
IS
Our
LAUNCHPAD
FOR
AMBITIOUS
RESEARCHERS
WITH
A
SCIENCE-LED
STARTUP
IDEA
March - May '25
Hybrid
Move beyond theory with Foundry
Research-led companies will cornerstone the solutions to humanity's greatest problems. Foundry is how Blackbird helps PhD students, ECRs, and established researchers build them.
Personalised mentorship that moves you
Learn from founders and operators who’ve been in your shoes before. Our mentors, speakers, and facilitators are pulled from Blackbird's network of frontier-tech founders, senior operators, and top-tier venture investor network. We're fastidious about quality.
Weekly knowledge drops to supercharge your learning
Each week, leading speakers will share battle-tested wisdom with the cohort. They’ll share the insights and tools that matter most for frontier-tech startups.
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Explore the limits of your wild idea
Over eight weeks, you’ll sharpen your idea, challenge your assumptions, and push your ambition to new heights. You'll get the chance to pitch for a $5k prize at the end of the program.
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.
Program details
Eight weeks, ten teams, we give you $1k. There is no equity component. Compete for a $5k prize at the end of the program.
We love hard tech: from full-stack mRNA therapeutics for brain diseases (Messenger Bio) and companion robots for loneliness (Andromeda), to long-range wireless energy transfer (Aquila) and whole-cell models for synthetic biology (Cell Bauhaus), to ML-enabled chemical diagnostics (Preview) and new error-correction paradigms for fault-tolerant quantum computing (Iceberg)---we haven't found an idea that fazes us.
Our three cohorts have raised millions from venture investors (including Possible, Outset, Investible, Galileo, and Blackbird), proceeded to specialised and world-class accelerators (including Startmate, Mass Robotics, and YCombinator), and---most importantly---are building incredible companies.
However, most of our participants stay on the academic path or move into a job in industry. There's no undue pressure---Foundry is about learning, networks, and ambition.
Key dates
Applications open: 12 February 2025
Info session: 26 February 2025 - Register here
Applications close: 12 March 2025, 11:59pm AEST
Application outcomes: 15 March 2025
Program dates: 24 March - 16 May 2025
Eligibility
Someone on your team is enrolled or employed at a university
Someone on your team has a strong link (e.g. citizenship or a local postdoc) with Australia or New Zealand
You have at least the beginning of a startup idea
Program cost: Foundry is free to join and we don't take equity
Time commitment: Minimum 4 hours per week
Turn your bright ideas into reality
Applications close 12th March 2025. Genius or caffeine-fuelled, we're here for it.
Apply NOw
The Manifesto
There are high-potential founders in our research institutions. They can create and scale world-changing solutions in startups. The potential is in the future of these rare people, not their IP. Those who have the courage to found and build startups should be rewarded. They deserve to be supported from the very beginning with the full force of the best frontier technology founders, operators, and capital in the world.
We’ve written down our beliefs about scientists starting companies in the Manifesto. Foundry is where we live out those unique beliefs. Foundry is Blackbird’s commitment to continue supporting brilliant researchers who want to build world-changing startups.
We’ve written down our beliefs about scientists starting companies in the Manifesto. Foundry is where we live out those unique beliefs. Foundry is Blackbird’s commitment to continue supporting brilliant researchers who want to build world-changing startups.
Download the Foundry Manifesto
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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 cbirch@blackbird.vc and let’s chat.
Where should I go if I have further questions?
Email mtolo@blackbird.vc
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