Michael Batko
Ran Startmate for eight years. Now builds the AI systems he spent that decade telling founders to build.
Michael Batko is the co-founder and CEO of Hourglass AI, an Australian AI implementation agency. He spent eight years at Startmate, Australia's best-known startup accelerator, the last four as CEO, before stepping down in 2025 to build in AI full time. He writes Batko OS, a newsletter on founding and operating, and coaches founders through batko.ai. At Hourglass he leads the business, strategy, and operations side of the work: the audits, the roadmaps, and the engagement model that puts a build at the end of every strategy conversation.
Track record
Companies, writing, and press. Newest first, every claim linked to its source.
- 2026Writing
My Journey After Startmate
The essay setting out what he chose to do next, and why AI implementation rather than another accelerator role.
- 2026Press
Former Startmate boss Michael Batko is back in founder mode with Hourglass AI · Startup Daily
Coverage of the Hourglass launch and the thesis behind it.
- 2025 - presentCompany
Hourglass AI · Co-founder and CEO
AI implementation agency making Australian businesses AI-native. Workshop then build, with a human delivery team. Co-founded with Finlay Ekins.
- 2025Press
Startmate CEO Michael Batko steps down after eight years · SmartCompany
Independent reporting on the handover to Phoebe Pincus.
- 2025Press
A new chapter at Startmate: after 8 mighty years, Batko is stepping down as CEO · Startmate
Startmate's own account of his tenure and departure.
- 2025
- 2025Press
Why your first hire isn't an engineer anymore · No Time to Panic
Long-form interview on how AI changes the shape of an early team.
- 2021 - presentWriting
Batko OS
His newsletter on operating, hiring, and building. The archive includes the 15-part How Do You CEO interview series with operators across the ecosystem.
- 2020 - presentCompany
batko.ai · Founder
Executive coaching and tools for founders, plus Founder Signal, his review and recommendation work on the startup podcast and content landscape.
- 2018 - 2025Company
Startmate · CEO (2021-2025), earlier operating roles
Australia and New Zealand's best-known startup accelerator. Joined in 2018 expecting to stay a year or two, and led it as CEO for the last four of eight years before handing over in 2025.
Talks and interviews
Michael Batko on scaling Startmate and shaping startup futures
Interview on the accelerator years and what he took from them.
Written by Michael
84 pages on this site carry this byline.
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- AI automation for Australian businesses: where it actually pays back
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