ACS Labs supports Emerging Tech Entrepreneurs and their Communities who are solving global problems with Technology. We provide networks and access to knowledge, news and talent to support growth for innovation in Australia.
ACS Labs provides a virtual platform to connect our community of Entrepreneurs, Mentors, Talent, Partners and Industry.
Once you join the ACS Labs as a member, you can choose to co-locate with us and fellow members of the community at either Brisbane at River City Labs, Sydney at Harbour City Labs, Maroochydore Queensland at Ocean City Labs, or connect with us at our flagship events for Australia's Emerging Technology at Something Tech., and River Rival.
ACS Labs makes it more accessible for Australia's Emerging Tech companies and communities to find connection, empowerment and support.
ACS Labs started its journey with River City Labs which continues to be a leading tech innovation enabler for Tech Startups & Scaleups since it was founded in 2012 by one of Australia's most successful tech entrepreneurs and Australian TV Series, Shark Tank investor, Steve Baxter.
"River City Labs was a critical key to my success as a solo, first time, non-tech entrepreneur. From legal; marketing skills, PR strategies, valuation and capital raising knowledge - I could have never learned anywhere without real life experience..."
Rebecca Dredge, Founder of Kiddo
We understand that every Entrepreneur's journey is unique.
We are focused on driving innovation by providing resources to empower, support and connect entrepreneurs to what they need to grow and go global.
Your membership will kick off with a 6-week cohort structured program to best understand you and your business, where you will then be supported ongoing by our EIRs, MIRs and the Programs relevant to your membership level.
We facilitate a diverse range of programs, events and engagement opportunities through our community of Entrepreneurs, Alumni's, Mentors, Industry, Government partners, experts locally and globally, to elevate the Australian tech ecosystem.
Membership Inclusions
Memberships to meet you where you are!
Next cohort intake starts: March 2024
Need more detail?
L1 Membership
$180 / month + GST
6-Week Structured Cohort Program
A structured program to best understand you and your business for a tailored membership experience.
Member and Community News
Access to upcoming news relating to the Innovation and Technology ecosystem.
Access to promote your business and seek support within the community.
Member Events
Access to attend all upcoming Founder Journey events and learn from experienced Entrepreneurs.
Access to attend Group Mentoring sessions with expert mentors to deep dive into topics.
Access to attend partner office hours and or events.
Join fellow entrepreneurs and guest expert mentors for bi-monthly Founder Round Table discussions.
Promote your Business
Grow your business profile through the established (and growing) network with River City Labs (41k+ reach) and ACS News (100+k reach).
Be promoted to partners and stakeholders of the Labs Community.
Mentoring Access
Access to ACS Labs qualified Mentors and Experts who can provide guidance and troubleshooting for your business, from start to scaling.
Marketplace
Access to ACS Labs qualified list of partners and enablers that can support your company’s growth.
Access to credits and discounts from our ACS Labs qualified partners (potential $200k+ value)
L2 Membership
$250 / month + GST
Everything in L1, PLUS:
Head of Growth Check-ins
Bi-monthly check-ins with the Labs Head of Growths to discuss troubleshooting support, mentoring and navigating the member resources and network.
Accounting Services
Free chartered accounting services with our partner, Chartered Accountants ANZ.*
Building Business Digital Library and Live Events
Access to an educational series delivered by experts, mentors and partners to support the start to scaling journey.
Access to ACS Labs library of recorded Building Business educational events covering all topics supporting your start to scaling journey.
Talent Landing Pad
Access to a pool of ACS Labs qualified Technologists and Business professionals who want to work with emerging technology companies.
Access to Interns job board; talent actively seeking their next experience with an emerging tech company.
Discounted Navigate Program Access
1.5hr deep dive with experienced Mentors in Residence to support you navigating key challenges or to your next milestone and beyond for $180 + GST per session.
L3 Membership
$380 / month + GST
Everything in L1 and L2, PLUS:
Navigate Program
Be partnered with an experienced Mentor in Residence, for monthly 1.5hr deep dive sessions to support you navigating key challenges or to your next milestone and beyond. Sessions cannot be rolled over and used in following months.
Extra sessions can be added-on for $180 + GST per session.
* Caps and fair use policies apply.
** Subject to Digital Membership Agreement terms. All benefits subject to availability and change at any time as communicated to members. ACS accepts no responsibility for any representation, or accuracy of any information by third parties.
"Joining River City Labs changed my perspective and spurred me on to make TabLogs a global business. I went from building a side hustle to wanting to build a legacy and wanting to change an industry."
Declan Vanderhor, Founder of TabLogs
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a resident or have a Business registered in Australia.
- Must be a *Technology Startup or Scale up Business (Tech Startup companies deliver new technology to the market; or disrupt and transform existing products of services with Technology. Tech Startups have the high potential to grow across Markets).
- Demonstrable product differentiation and not simply to cannabilise existing domestic market
- Demonstrated talent of founding team members
- Must be able to sell a vision convincingly to customers, venture capital and employees - and demonstrate an understanding of the next three things that need to get done to drive the business forward.
- Completed Applications including detail on your idea or business.
- Ability to submit a video recorded pitch as part of the application.
- Ability to dedicate a minimum of 4 hours per week for the first 6 weeks of joining as a Member as part of onboarding program.
- Successful Applicants will be notified at least 2 weeks if not earlier prior to the program start date.
- Unsuccessful applicants will be notified prior to the program starting.
- Each calendar year, there will be up to 5 cohort intakes to join ACS Labs, this will allow a structured onboarding program to get to know your business and set up you to be best supported by the Membership and Community.
Willingness and capability to:
- Active engagement in the Membership community, through attendance of program events, online networking and accessing of resources and the ACS Labs team.
- Allow ACS to market founder’s participation as a Member.
- Become an ACS member