I'd be curious how much of a Y Combinator model could be replicated down under (Brisbane boy talking here).
I reckon small investments to kick-start tech-based businesses would fly. I also think we have enough of the right people to properly guide those businesses.
I'm not sure where would you have them base themselves? Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne each seem viable; none are Cambridge or the Valley.
And the big question - for how long could you seriously expect to fund multiple quality ideas twice a year? If Big Brother ran out of talent in 3 seasons, I'd be surprised for a tech-start-up-focussed company to still be finding suitable applicants 3-4 years down the track.
"... And the big question - for how long could you seriously expect to fund multiple quality ideas twice a year? If Big Brother ran out of talent in 3 seasons, I'd be surprised for a tech-start-up-focussed company to still be finding suitable applicants 3-4 years down the track. ..."
I don't know. There's a lot of software, engineering and hackers in the major capitals (Bris, Syd, Mel, Adl, Per) but not many startup "product" companies (sans enterprisy software companies). So it tends to limit the opportunity for people who want to work for Startups who might just think I could do better than this rather than work for consultancies, design and marketing companies or the multi-nationals.
There is no lack of talent and risk takers. There is definitely a lack of Angels, mentors and the other fuzzy bits that provide the stepping stones from taking an idea to Startup to exit ~ http://benbarren.blogspot.com/2008/05/why-is-it-so.html
Linuxcare Australia, which had a seriously impressive list of hackers, was based in Canberra, perhaps due to the proximity to the university? It didn't sound like a very exciting place, but then again, neither is silicon valley.
"... Which begs the question “do ‘aussie’ startups really need them?” Could the continual scarcity of capital and local entrepreneurial mentoring, be a breeding ground for a new form of Startup? ... and you said:`I think this is exactly the type of startup YC breeds` ..." ~
I added this comment before I posted here and while I didn't have Omnisio specifically in mind you pretty much confirm what I suspected.
There are a few efforts underway to try and build a stronger aussie community in the bay area. Check out www.advance.org and sign up. I'm on the San Francisco committee and specifically thinking about ways to get entrepreneurial-minded Aussies together.
"... With some really great universities (RMIT and Melb Uni) and computer science programs, I can see a lot of potential ..."
The bottleneck in my view is the ultra conservative business environment. It's not for the lack of hackers, entrepreneurs. While Boston may be the sister city of Melbourne the overwhelming message I get is not "be smarter" ~ http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=201373
Agreed. Melbourne is the Australian archetype of the cosmopolitan city, but in terms of startup production on a global scale, I doubt it rates much farther ahead of other Australian capital cities.
I reside in Adelaide and the business environment is barren. I could count on my hand the number of angels who have real insight into the technology sector. We have access to Government grants schemes - COMET for emerging startups and Commercial Ready for SMEs - but they rarely consider ventures without a traditional business model.
There are startups to be found - I'm the programming half of one that's gaining major traction in the education market - and successful businesses have originated from Adelaide (such as News Corporation). On the whole though, Australia currently doesn't have the mentorship, the networking, or the intellectual and financial capital to sustain a vibrant startup community.
Given time, however, I believe the situation can change, with sufficient exposure.
I'm also from Adelaide, and I agree it's not likely to be a startup hub anytime soon. I think a large part of the problem is a lack of startup culture - as an example I was involved in a startup company after finishing my undergrad degree, and the founder was absolutely against giving up any control and his idea of giving equity to the first employees was a %0.0001 profit sharing arrangement. He was offered something like $50k to get a prototype together but wouldnt relinquish any equity.
I think the history of News Corp is a little more complicated, the Advertiser was just the first paper Rupert was given control over, hence its importance to him.
I can relate to the lack of startup culture, specifically founders who, as you've experienced, refuse to give up any equity in return for committed co-founders. Brash independence is an Australian cultural cornerstone, often to a fault. I've encountered it more often than I care to remember, and been guilty of it just as much.
A lack of resources is a major concern, but it's the lack of co-operation which really holds us back. I hold hope that a couple of successful and generous founders will arise, sell out and establish a YC-like venture to foster the kind of thinking and giving that's needed.
(According to Wikipedia, Sir Keith Murdoch left his son Rupert the Adelaide News, from which he started News Corporation).
are there any good web resources regarding the melbourne "scene?" I have my own weird solo gig going, but I'm always contemplating a way to spend at least a year in the melbourne area. (i have family who moved there about 5 years ago, and would like to spend time there)
I reckon small investments to kick-start tech-based businesses would fly. I also think we have enough of the right people to properly guide those businesses.
I'm not sure where would you have them base themselves? Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne each seem viable; none are Cambridge or the Valley.
And the big question - for how long could you seriously expect to fund multiple quality ideas twice a year? If Big Brother ran out of talent in 3 seasons, I'd be surprised for a tech-start-up-focussed company to still be finding suitable applicants 3-4 years down the track.