EVP launches 40x to support software startup founders looking to raise

The 40x program is designed for the founders of software startups already generating revenue and scaling, and setting up to raise capital in the next 12 months.

It will bring together up to 40 of Australia’s most promising early-stage software founders, with founder, investor, basketball enthusiast and EVP venture partner Mark “Z” Zmarzly leading the charge at 40X.

The program will span three in-person days, with panel discussions, and practical advice from founders who’ve raised before, as well as access to investors. Participating founders also score perks from key partners, including $25k in AWS Active credits.Zmarzly said backing the next generation of founders as they navigate the shift in how startups are build and raise capital is a key reason behind 40x, which at its core is a peer network.

“I’ve been on both the founder side and the investor side of the table so get it from all sides,” he said.

“When I was a founder, I was lucky enough to go through a GAN (Global Accelerator Network) program, a corporate and startup matchmaking program, a Kauffman Foundation Fellowship, and an international expansion program. All provided bits and pieces of content, funding, and programming but the main benefit was founder to founder connection.

“Founders learn best from founders and yet have few opportunities to do so in a very meaningful way over time.”

The onsite days will be on Oct 1, Nov 18, and Jan 28. Zmarzly ran a version of the program twice in the past, but without formal VC support and a quarter of the founders involved successfully raised, from angel to Series A.

“You’ll be a part of a selective group of high-performing founders at a similar stage, who are all facing the same decisions and challenges. Compare notes, get unfiltered answers and cut the learning curve,” Zmarzly said.

“The data doesn’t lie and EVP sees the opportunity to support founders in their journey with access to the EVP partners, their founder network, and market connections.”

40x is open to Australian and New Zealand founders and applications close next Tuesday, September 15.

For details and to apply, head to 40xbyevp.com.au