I've been to all of Australia's mainland capitals (sorry, Hobart). I've lived for long periods in Darwin, Sydney and Perth.<p>I prefer Melbourne to Sydney based on the time I've spent in each. Melbourne seemed a bit more cosmopolitan, the people a bit less artificial.<p>I'd rather live in Perth than either, but the startup scene here is quite anaemic. You can round up some geologists and raise tens of millions to do some mining exploration; but raising a few thousand for a startup is, from what I've heard, nigh on impossible.<p>I prefer Darwin most of all, but it's a government town and FIFO base. There's some IT service outfits but that's it.
Since the comments seem to be full of Australian nationals, I'm curious if anyone can help me out with something. Any advice on the best way for an American to get onboard with an Aussie startup?<p>My family and I would like to emigrate to Australia in about 2015, and I'd prefer to get hooked up with a startup instead of trying to get on with a big multinational.<p>Based on talks I've had while planning this, it sounds like the point-based immigration system isn't as sure of a thing as sponsorship. Are startups in Australia in a position to sponsor a visa? Would an incubator be interested or able to help with something like that? Anything I can do now to help ensure that I'm employed with a startup down under in 2015?
It is awesome whats happening in Australia around tech startups and the support for the community. Im running Startup Weekend at the YBF Melb Nov 4-6th where Ive managed to secure 5K from Optus for first prize and JFDI want to do a S15k equity deal with a team and take them to a Singapore bootcamp.
Two teams (Native Tongue and IndexMedia) from the previous Melbourne Startup Weekend are now based in YBF. I've just pivoted (RentWant-TaskWant) in a new incubator called AngelCube based out of inspire9 in Melbourne. Im one of four teams there. It is pretty exciting times.
I'm keen to hear about this type of thing, but co-located space is nothing special. Is there mentoring, access to angel investors and alumni and events like the YC demo day?<p>I can raise my own $20k seed money and I can find working space. What I can't do is get decent mentoring and access to networks, which, to me is the secret source of YC.<p>Still, it's early days, I'll keep track of this with interest.
I'm very glad to see this as a Melburnian. With so much emphasis on San Francisco as the startup-mecca, one almost feels disadvantaged living elsewhere in America, let alone in a country like Australia.<p>Perhaps with things like the new IBM R&D Centre, Melbourne might become a tech-hub in the South East Asian region (although I somewhat doubt it).
It's great to see this in Melbourne! I'm an ex-Perth-ite and I made the move to Melbourne nearly 3 years ago. It was the best decision as the culture, coffee, people and general positivity is amazing (less tall poppies).<p>Over a few months I've come to know the Inspire9 crew and startups within - and also just recently went to the party at York Butter. It's a brilliant building and hosted by a group of people who passionate about the Melbourne tech scene (you couldn't ask for better than that!).<p>I think right now is definitely the time to be in Melbourne with all the buzz from these spaces (and big events) and if you are focusing on the weather you're missing the point.<p>Rock on Melbourne!
As an Australian in London, I never get to hear about things like this. It's exciting that Australia has this type of stuff going on, it's taken long enough!
Great.. Melbourne's my home-town. Been away since May'11 due to biz. Wish this started before we made certain wild decisions .. heh.<p>Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi
As an Australian who left some time ago for all the experience SF startups bring, this almost has me considering coming back to Melbourne. Great to see but hedging bets for now. Good luck :)