Australia’s tech sector has been called to have its say on the state of the nation’s innovation landscape in this year’s Startup Muster, which will focus on how artificial intelligence and a changed investment landscape are affecting local entrepreneurs.
Despite failing to get government support this year, the industry – including ACS – has come together to support the survey.
Murray Hurps, Startup Muster’s managing director, said, “Startup Muster 2024 is continuing a mission that started in 2013, to measure and publish the progress, challenges, and opportunities within the Australian startup ecosystem, in order to demonstrate and accelerate progress.
“It's our first year operating without a major government partner, but industry has thrown support behind us making sure this work can continue.
"There's never been a time of faster change within global startup ecosystems, and I'll be fascinated to see the impact AI in particular is having to how these companies work.
"The emergence of Australian strengths in climate, manufacturing, agriculture and health will also be interesting to continue tracking.”
The 2023 report, and the list of recommended mentors, had 1,100 survey respondents, including 585 founders and 322 industry supporters.
Since opening last week, the report has had over 1,000 questions answered, the fastest response since it was founded.
ACS President, Helen McHugh added, “We’re delighted to be supporting Startup Muster again this year. ACS’ mission is to grow Australia’s tech sector and its workforce, and supporting the startup ecosystem is an important part of that.
“Everyone at ACS including the Labs team are looking forward to working with Startup Muster to ensure this year’s survey and the final report reach as many people as possible.”
This year’s survey comes at a time when the local startup sector has seen a dramatic slowdown in investment and the survey is an opportunity for everyone in the field to make sure the progress, challenges and opportunities in 2024 are understood by policy makers, investors and industry.
“People need good data for good decisions, and instead of around thirty different surveys of the startup ecosystem this year, I'm proud to be able to combine new questions with our historical ones into one collection effort,” continued Hurps.
"We're honoured to be working closely this year with ACS Labs, CommBank, Vanta, Stone & Chalk, CSIRO, UNSW, QUT, City of Sydney, City of Parramatta, Baxter IP, Gild Group, Amplitude and Relevance AI."
Those running a startup in Australia, or supporting startups in Australia, can complete the survey at startupmuster.com before submissions close on 26 August.
