From idea to growth. Built on execution.
Premium, hands-on support for Australian startup founders building something scalable. We work alongside you on strategy, planning, financial forecasting, sales and marketing, business plans, and funding and investment readiness, so your idea becomes a growing business.
Book a call · hello@startupsaustralia.com
Our services
Mentoring & Advisory
Regular one-on-one sessions with a senior advisor who has supported more than 350 startups. Each session addresses your most important decisions and ends with agreed actions and clear accountability.
- One-on-one advisory sessions
- Decision support on strategy, hiring and growth
- Agreed actions and progress reviews
- Ongoing accountability between sessions
Strategy & Execution Planning
Clarify your business model, set priorities and build a 90-day execution plan with measurable milestones, so the team is focused on the work that drives growth.
- Business model design and review
- Market and competitor analysis
- Go-to-market strategy
- 90-day execution roadmap
- KPIs and milestone tracking
Financial Forecasting & Modelling
A driver-based financial model you understand and can defend, covering revenue, costs, cash flow, runway and funding requirements. Prepared to the standard investors, lenders and grant panels expect.
- Driver-based financial model
- Cash flow and runway planning
- Unit economics and pricing analysis
- Scenario and sensitivity analysis
- Funding requirement and use of funds
Sales & Marketing
Define your positioning, select the right channels and build a repeatable sales process that converts demand into revenue without a large budget or team.
- Positioning and value proposition
- Channel strategy and marketing plan
- Sales process and pipeline design
- Acquisition and retention metrics
Funding & Investment Readiness
End-to-end support to prepare your business for investment and secure the right capital. We assess your readiness, define a funding strategy across equity, grants and other finance, prepare the materials investors expect, and connect you with relevant investors and funding programs.
- Investment readiness assessment
- Funding strategy: equity, grants and alternative finance
- Capital raise planning: amount, timing and use of funds
- Pitch deck and investment narrative
- Data room and due diligence preparation
- Investor targeting, introductions and outreach
- Pitch rehearsal and meeting preparation
- Grant identification and applications
- Investor updates and relationship management
Business Plans
A clear, credible business plan developed with you, covering market, model, operations, financials and growth, and written for the investors, lenders or partners you need to convince.
- Investor-ready business plans
- Plans for grant and lender submissions
- Market, operations and growth strategy
- Integrated financials
Tech & Product Development
We design and build websites, mobile apps, SaaS platforms and AI-powered tools, from MVP scoping and prototyping through to launch.
- MVP scoping and prototyping
- Websites and mobile apps
- SaaS platforms
- AI-powered tools
- Launch and iteration
How it works
- Book a call — we learn where your business is, what is slowing you down and what progress should look like over the next 90 days.
- Get your execution plan — clear priorities, milestones and the numbers that matter.
- Execute together — regular mentoring sessions and hands-on support until the work is done.
About Startups Australia
Startups Australia was founded by Dr Lydia Canovas Saiz, an entrepreneur, researcher and business advisor with more than 15 years of international experience across startups, innovation, investment and business growth. She has supported more than 350 startups, founders and innovation-led businesses. Based in Townsville, working with founders across Australia and internationally.
Founder guides
Start
- Validate your idea before you build — Test whether people actually want it — cheaply, and before you spend money.
- Understanding your market & competitors — Understand your customers and competitors before you commit resources.
- The founder mindset (and avoiding burnout) — Building a company is a long-term undertaking. How founders sustain performance and judgement.
- Startup vs small business — which are you building? — Two valid paths with different strategies. Knowing which you are building shapes every decision.
- How to get your first customer — Practical approaches to securing your first paying customers without a large marketing budget.
Build
- Business planning & models — A concise plan you will use, and the business model behind it.
- Branding & marketing on a small budget — Build a credible brand and an effective marketing system.
- Sales & finding customers — Turn interest into paying customers with a simple, repeatable funnel.
- Build your digital presence — A website, domain and channels that make you easy to find and trust.
- Adopting AI responsibly — Use AI to move faster — with the right tools, governance and guardrails.
- Building your first product (MVP) — Put a working product in front of customers while limiting the investment in version one.
- Pricing your product or service — Set prices that reflect the value you deliver.
- Customer experience & keeping customers — Satisfied customers stay longer, spend more and refer others.
- What business models actually scale — Some models grow with your hours; others scale independently of them. How to tell the difference.
- What marketing strategies work best — The right strategy depends on your business. How to select yours.
- What should I outsource to AI? — Which tasks AI handles well, which it does not, and how to tell the difference.
- Where to learn about managing & growing a business — The most useful low-cost ways for Australian founders to keep developing their skills.
Grow & fund
- Funding & investment options — Bootstrapping, grants, angels, VC and crowdfunding — and when each fits.
- Grants & incentives in Australia — Where to find non-dilutive funding and how to submit competitive applications.
- Pitching & investor readiness — The deck, narrative and preparation that lead to a second meeting.
- The R&D Tax Incentive, explained — How companies undertaking eligible R&D claim a tax offset.
- How to find investors — Where Australian investors are, and how to secure a warm introduction.
- How to pitch, step by step — From the 60-second summary to the full investor meeting.
- How to apply for a grant, step by step — From identifying the right program through to submission.
- What other financing options are out there — Beyond investors and grants: loans, revenue-based finance and more.
- When to hire your first employee — The signals that you are ready, the costs to check and the alternatives to consider first.
- How to keep your team motivated — Small-team motivation depends on clarity, trust and momentum.
- Metrics & KPIs that actually matter — A small set of meaningful metrics is more useful than a dashboard of vanity metrics.
- Hiring & building a team — Employees vs contractors, super, awards and your first key hires.
- Scaling & going global — Build the systems to grow sustainably — and expand beyond Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Startups Australia different?
We focus on what drives results — targeted support, a hands-on approach, and measurable outcomes. Our work complements accelerators, incubators and hubs rather than competing with them.
How do your engagements work?
Every engagement is tailored to your stage, goals and scope. We start with a call to understand where you are, then recommend the right mix of mentoring and hands-on support.
Do you help with registration, tax or legal matters?
No. We focus on execution for scalable startups: strategy, forecasting, sales and marketing, and funding and investment readiness. For registration, tax and legal questions we recommend a registered accountant, tax agent or lawyer.
Who founded Startups Australia?
Dr Lydia Canovas — an entrepreneur, investor and advisor who has supported over 350 startups. After co-founding an investment firm in Europe, she relocated to Australia and now leads our team.
Do you work with clients outside Townsville?
Yes. We are based in Townsville but work fully online with founders across Australia and internationally — consults, strategy and ongoing support all happen virtually.
What stage of business do you work with?
All stages — from early idea to growth. Whether you're validating a concept or preparing to raise, we tailor our support to where you are.
Can I work with you if I haven't launched yet?
Yes — many clients come to us in the idea or planning phase. We'll help you test your concept, define your model, and plan a smart path forward.
Do you build business plans or pitch decks for me?
Yes. We build business plans, financial forecasts and pitch decks with you, working closely so you understand and own every number and claim.
How do I get started?
Book a call with our team or email hello@startupsaustralia.com. We'll understand your goals and recommend the support that fits best.