Job Summary
Startup Crew is selecting 12 high-potential future founders for our 2026 Sweat Equity Program — a full-time, 12-month founder pathway where participants earn real equity, help build multiple new ventures, and launch a startup of their own using Startup Crew’s systems, team and venture machinery.
This is not a paid internship and not a graduate job.
This is a full-time, equity-only founder program designed for people who want to build real companies and take real ownership.
You must have the ability to support yourself for the first year while you build, grow, and earn equity.
Key Dates
- Applications Close: 31 December 2025
- Interviews Commence: 14 January 2026
- 2026 Program Starts: 1 February 2026
About Startup Crew
Startup Crew - https://www.startupcrew.com.au - is a Queensland-built venture group operating across technology, health, wellness, manufacturing, construction, tourism, property, publishing, and digital.
We are a distributed team of founders, brand builders, strategists, designers, engineers, operators and creators — responsible for launching, scaling and operating multiple multimillion-dollar companies across Australia.
The 2026 cohort will be based on the Sunshine Coast.
Applicants must have their own transport or reliable access to travel to and from our main location.
What You Will Do
As part of the 12-month program, you will:
- Earn equity inside multiple Startup Crew ventures
- Build and launch your own startup using our systems and guidance
- Work inside live companies on real strategy, branding, product development, marketing, sales, operations and growth
- Collaborate daily with experienced entrepreneurs and venture builders
- Receive mentorship from Startup Crew founders and senior operators
- Participate in workshops, venture sprints, strategy sessions and project builds
- Work full-time from our Sunshine Coast base (location TBA)
What This Program Is Not
- Not a wage-based job
- Not a typical internship
- Not graduate employment
- Not a 9–5 safe role
- Not administrative work or “observing”
- Not suited to people seeking short-term comfort or guaranteed outcomes
This is a founder pathway — you get ownership, not wages.
Who We’re Looking For
We are selecting a diverse mix of skills and talents including (but not limited to):
- Copywriters & content creators
- Graphic designers & brand designers
- UX/UI designers
- Digital marketers & growth strategists
- PR & communications specialists
- Sales / lead conversion specialists
- Business operations & finance
- International trade & logistics
- Manufacturing & product development
- Software, IT, and technical roles
- Video, photography, media & creative
- Customer experience & service design
- HR, culture and talent management
- Project management & partnerships
We value attitude, drive, and capacity more than degrees or formal qualifications.
We want individuals who are:
- Ambitious & gritty
- Coachable & fast-learning
- Creative & resourceful
- Comfortable with pressure and responsibility
- Obsessed with building, solving and creating
- Motivated by ownership, not salary
- Supported by family/household for the journey
- Able to commit full-time for 12 months
Requirements
To be eligible, you must:
- Be able to support yourself financially for the first year
- Have strong family or personal support
- Commit full-time from 1 February 2026
- Have your own transport to the Sunshine Coast (HQ location TBA)
- Be legally able to operate or co-own an Australian business
- Be passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation and building ventures
No specific degree required. No industry experience required if you are exceptional.
What You’ll Gain
By the end of the program, you will have:
- Equity across multiple Startup Crew ventures
- Your own startup built and launched
- Founder-level skills in brand, strategy, operations, product, sales, finance and growth
- An elite entrepreneurial network
- A portfolio of real results
- A long-term ownership pathway that traditional jobs simply cannot offer
This is one of the most direct and powerful ways to become a founder in Australia.
How to Apply
Click Apply, and submit:
- A short introduction about who you are
- What you're great at
- Any projects or things you’ve built (optional)
- Why you believe you’re ready for this opportunity
- Check out the Startup Crew website www.startupcrew.com.au and let us know if there is any particular project you'd love to be part of.
No generic CVs or copy-paste cover letters — we want your real voice.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term, Subcontract, Freelance, Contract, Apprenticeship, Internship, Graduate
Contract length: 12 months
Pay: Up to $300,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee mentoring program
- Career development assistance
- Profit sharing
- Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Mooloolaba QLD 4557