APPROACH
Feeling Overwhelmed Running Your Business?
We Can Help!
You’re not alone. Many founders in Australia feel stuck juggling too many roles—trying to grow while handling marketing, funding, and operations all at once. It can be exhausting.
Startups Australia helps bring clarity and direction.
We support entrepreneurs with practical tools, expert advice, and strategic guidance to help you move forward with confidence.
Whether you’re launching, scaling, or applying for funding, we can help you:
✓ Focus on what really matters
✓ Build a plan for growth
✓ Access the right support, resources, and investor connections
You don’t have to do everything.
You just need the right structure and support to grow your business your way.
SERVICES
Empower Your Startup with
Strategic Support That Works
01
Startup Strategy
& Coaching
Define your goals, clarify your business model, and develop a step-by-step growth plan tailored to your stage and industry. We help you make strategic decisions with confidence and avoid common early-stage mistakes.
02
Marketing & Sales Support
Create a brand that speaks to your audience and build simple, effective marketing systems - without needing a big budget or team. We help you focus on what works, from messaging to channels to content strategies.
03
Funding Strategy
& Grant Guidance
Discover the funding opportunities that match your goals, whether it’s grants, accelerator programs, or early investment. We support you through the application process, help you structure your case for funding, and ensure your business is grant-ready.
04
Pitch & Investor Readiness
Craft a standout pitch deck, compelling outreach emails, and a clear investment narrative that gets attention. Whether you're pitching to an angel investor, VC, or grant panel, we help you present with clarity and confidence.
05
Digital Startup Toolkit
(Coming Soon)
Save time and move faster with AI-powered templates, grant builders, pitch generators, and planning tools. Designed to help solo founders and small teams take action—no coding or design skills required.
ABOUT
About
Startups Australia
Startups Australia was created to give founders in Australia the clarity, tools, and expert guidance they need to grow—with or without a tech team or marketing background.
Founded by Dr Lydia Canovas, an experienced entrepreneur, investor, and researcher, Startups Australia draws on 15+ years of global startup experience. From launching ventures and co-founding an investment firm to mentoring hundreds of founders, Lydia’s work has always focused on turning bold ideas into real outcomes.
Today, we bring together a team of specialists in strategy, funding, marketing, and digital innovation to support founders at every stage of growth. Whether you're validating an idea, applying for a grant, or preparing to pitch, we're here to help you move forward—step by step.
Our services start from just $150, with flexible options designed to grow with your business.
From building a strong business model to launching your next product or securing early funding, Startups Australia is your partner in practical startup success.
MISSION
Our mission is about you: the founder
Building a business is hard, and doing it alone can feel overwhelming.
We exist to make the startup journey clearer and more achievable, giving founders the tools, strategy, and personalised support they need to turn ideas into thriving businesses.
BENEFITS
Strength that speaks for itself
Targeted
Support
Tailored advice based on your stage, goals, and business model.
Hands-on
Approach
Practical support when it counts—no fluff, just action.
Measurable
Impact
Clear outcomes you can track, from funding wins to growth milestones.
CASE STUDIES
Examples of our work
Sarah was facing marketing hurdles and funding obstacles and turned to us for help. We offered her practical guidance in shaping an investment-ready and sustainable business model, with a particular emphasis on leveraging social impact technology. By optimising operations, sourcing cost-effective manufacturing solutions, and crafting digital marketing strategies for her online store, we empowered her to take her business to the next level. We also worked closely with Sarah to create an engaging pitch deck, identify funding opportunities, and forge connections with key suppliers and investors.
Through our collaboration, Sarah's business not only secured seed funding but also positioned itself as a tech-driven force for positive change. Her venture is now on track to create new jobs, develop cutting-edge products, and contribute to the growing ecosystem of social impact startups that are shaping a more sustainable future.
From Passion Project to Profitable Business
Joseph's innovative sports and gaming app, designed to create a more positive and engaging learning environment for teachers and students through positive reinforcement, showed immense potential. However, despite its promise, the app struggled to gain traction in a competitive market. Faced with challenges such as navigating regulations, enhancing user experience, and expanding his user base, Joseph turned to us for support.
We provided practical guidance by conducting in-depth market research and helping craft a compelling grant proposal. We also connected Joseph with experienced app developers, intellectual property lawyers, and industry experts. Together, we refined the app's features to align with the latest trends in educational technology and developed a targeted marketing strategy that resonated with educators and students.
Bridging the Gap with Practical Support
Ian's company had a strong creative product and service offering but struggled with generating consistent revenue and converting leads into loyal customers. Seeking to turn things around, he approached us for guidance. Using a data-driven approach, we helped Ian explore new e-commerce opportunities and refine his sales funnel through a detailed analysis of customer behaviour. By identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) crucial for growth, we provided a clear roadmap for success.
We also collaborated on launching a targeted digital marketing campaign across multiple social media platforms, tailored to insights drawn from customer data. This strategic shift led to a significant increase in revenue and allowed Ian to innovate and develop new products, strengthening his company's position as a leader in the creative industry.
Data-Driven Growth
FAQ
You're probably
wondering...
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What makes Startups Australia different?We focus on what truly moves the needle for startups: Targeted Support – We help you tackle the areas that matter most, from funding and strategy to marketing and growth. Hands-on Approach – Our support is personalised and practical, not just theory. We work with you to solve real problems. Measurable Impact – We focus on results you can track—whether it's progress toward funding, improved marketing, or business model clarity. Complementary Services – Our work complements what accelerators, incubators, and hubs provide, giving you a more complete support system.
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How much do your services cost?Our services are designed to be accessible, with packages starting from $150. We offer a range of options tailored to different stages of business and budgets. Not sure what you need yet? Book a free consultation and we’ll help you explore the best next step for your startup.
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Who founded Startups Australia?Startups Australia was founded by Dr Lydia Canovas, an experienced entrepreneur, investor, and startup advisor with a PhD in business and a passion for innovation. After co-founding a private investment firm in Europe, Lydia relocated to Australia, where she supported over 350 startups as a senior advisor and growth lead at Smart Precinct. She’s worked closely with accelerators, investors, and government, and brings deep experience in strategy, funding, and founder support. Startups Australia was born from her insight that many founders need more practical, hands-on help to grow sustainably—not just high-level advice. Today, her experience shapes the way we deliver meaningful, action-focused support to entrepreneurs across Australia.
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Do you work with clients outside of Townsville?Absolutely. While we're based in Townsville, our services are fully online—so we work with founders all across Australia and even internationally. Here’s how we typically support clients: Initial Consultation – A virtual meeting to understand your goals and needs Strategy Development – We create a tailored plan using collaborative tools Ongoing Support – Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly virtual sessions depending on your needs Project Updates – Regular check-ins to track progress and stay aligned Our remote model keeps things flexible, efficient, and cost-effective—no matter where you're located.
Ready to Grow?
Let’s Work Together!
