Michael Batko

Writing

147 pieces, grouped by where they were published. Newest first.

Podcasts

34 episodes as a guest, newest first.

1. Aug 2026
   The AI CEO Who Backed Startups Worth $3.5B+ · AI Down Under

   Batko discusses founding Hourglass AI, the proper order for building AI infrastructure, and how he met his co-founder Finlay Ekins.

2. Jun 2026
   Why Your First Hire Isn't an Engineer Anymore · Building Tech Teams

   Michael Batko joins the podcast to discuss why a startup's first hire is no longer an engineer in the AI era.

3. Mar 2026
   Ep 26. Michael Batko: The Visionary Behind StartMate's Startup Revolution · Epic Execution Podcast

   Michael Batko discusses the evolution of Startmate, scaling accelerators sustainably, and how Australia can become a global AI leader.

4. Jan 2026
   He Backed More Than 250 Startups Then Walked Away · The Quest for Success

   Michael Batko discusses his journey from Europe to Australia, building ecosystems, backing founders, and redefining success on his own terms.

5. Mar 2025
   Michael Batko: From Austrian Kickboxing to Startups, Fatherhood & Focus · EXECS WHO RUN

   Michael Batko shares his non-traditional career path, building Startmate, and using running as a tool for focus and connection.

6. Dec 2024
   2024’s Most Downloaded Episode: Startmate CEO Michael Batko’s Investment Secrets (Replay) · Day One

   Michael Batko discusses early-stage investing, community-driven entrepreneurship, and how Startmate backs ambitious founders across various industries.

7. Oct 2024
   Michael Batko on Scaling Startmate and Shaping Startup Futures · Give It A Nudge

   Batko discusses scaling Startmate, supporting founders, his productivity side hustle, and his ambitious plan to build a startup city.

8. Sep 2024
   #82 Michael Batko - CEO of Startmate · The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

   Michael Batko explains how Startmate has grown to support over 250 startups and why relentless ambition is crucial for founders.

9. Aug 2024
   056: Unlocking Ambition, Building Startups, and Scaling Impact · The Shortest Path

   Michael Batko shares his career journey, the meaning of ambition, and how to manage pressure and work life boundaries.

10. Aug 2024
    Startmate’s CEO Michael Batko on the Power of Serendipity and Startup Success · Random VC

    Michael Batko discusses his journey to Australia, Startmate's approach to nurturing startups, and his personal productivity platform Puddle Pod.

11. Jun 2024
    Michael Batko: Rethinking Startups & Shaping Tomorrow's Tech Giants · Frameshifts

    Michael Batko discusses his journey from consulting to leading Startmate and shaping the future of the Australian startup ecosystem.

12. May 2024
    The Importance of Writing and Internal Storytelling in Building a Successful Team with Michael Batko · Earning Ears

    Batko shares insights on content creation, community building, productivity systems, and the power of storytelling in driving startups forward.

13. Apr 2024
    Startmate CEO Michael Batko discusses community-building and portfolio construction in early-stage investing. · Day One

    Michael Batko explores the intricacies of early-stage investing, community building, and portfolio construction at Startmate.

14. Feb 2024
    20: Are startup accelerators worth it? (with Michael Batko) · DO AS I SAY

    Michael Batko discusses the value of startup accelerators, his career transition into startups, and his productivity course Puddle Pod.

15. Apr 2023
    #268 · Future Weekly

    Batko discusses the importance of skin in the game, systems for better learning, and how to help startups grow.

16. Apr 2023
    Ep. 030: Reduce Procrastination & Increase Productivity · Young Opportunist

    Michael Batko shares his top tips for tackling procrastination, increasing productivity, and setting effective work life boundaries.

17. Apr 2023
    The Ever-Booming Startup Ecosystem Across Australia & New Zealand with Michael Batko (Episode 102) · Ultimate Global Podcast

    Michael Batko discusses the booming startup ecosystem in Australia and New Zealand and how Startmate helps founders develop their ideas.

18. Feb 2023
    Episode 108 · No Limitations

    In this podcast episode Michael Batko discusses the Australian startup ecosystem and shares the common traits of successful founders.

19. Dec 2022
    The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem - Part 3 · Day One

    In this podcast episode about the history of the Australian startup ecosystem, Michael Batko appears as a guest sharing his insights.

20. Oct 2022
    Michael Batko, CEO - Startmate · Talking Tech with Elise Kennedy - TTWEK

    Batko discusses Startmate's role in the Australian startup ecosystem, the competitive landscape, and strategies for growth.

21. Jun 2022
    Building a Million Person Startup City with Michael Batko (Startmate CEO) | #19 · The MVP Show

    Michael Batko discusses his transition from corporate consulting to the startup world and his journey to becoming Startmate CEO.

22. Feb 2022
    From Working In A Bar To CEO of Startmate, In Conversation With Michael Batko · The Way Forward

    Batko shares his career journey into the startup space and offers advice to founders and venture capitalists on finding their niche.

23. Feb 2022
    Michael Batko discusses the four prevalent business models of accelerators · Day One Network

    Michael Batko appears on a podcast episode to discuss the four prevalent business models used by startup accelerators.

24. Jan 2022
    Michael Batko: Feeling lost in 2018 unsure of himself to becoming CEO of Australia's largest startup accelerator · The High Flyers Podcast

    Michael Batko discusses his early life, Polish heritage, and the habits that helped him become the CEO of Startmate.

25. Jan 2022
    A fresh take on raising capital from Michael Batko CEO of Startmate · Connect to Capital

    Batko shares his journey from corporate life to startups and offers advice for founders thinking about raising capital.

26. Nov 2021
    Ep. 013: The World of Start-Ups and Venture Capital w/ Startmate CEO, Michael Batko · Young Opportunist

    Batko shares his transition from the corporate world to venture capital, Startmate's culture, and habits for increasing productivity.

27. Nov 2021
    #18 | The Story behind Startmate with Michael Batko · How Did You Do It?

    Michael Batko discusses his role as CEO of Startmate, shifting the business model, and the qualities of great founders.

28. Oct 2021
    BatkoOS | Why Australia and New Zealand’s best operators want to Be Like Batko · Too Rare To Die

    Michael Batko shares his wisdom on leadership, mentorship, productivity, and leading remote teams as the CEO of Startmate.

29. Aug 2021
    OTPBD News Special - 31st August 2021 · Open the Pod Bay Doors

    Michael Batko joins a panel to analyse the latest news and trends impacting Australian and New Zealand startups.

30. Feb 2021
    Lean, Mean Startup Machine · Funny Business

    Michael Batko joins a live Clubhouse recording to discuss his role as CEO of Startmate and the startup ecosystem.

31. Nov 2020
    The Epicentre for Startup Ambition with Startmate · Blackbird

    Batko appears on this podcast to provide an inside look at Startmate and discuss what the best investors do for founders.

32. Sep 2020
    We chatted with the CEO of one of Australia's flagship startup accelerators: Startmate · Sachin and Adam

    Michael Batko discusses his journey from corporate life to startups, his systems of thinking, and advice for university students.

33. Aug 2020
    #1 Michael Batko - STARTMATE · Everything & Anything

    Michael Batko shares his journey from Europe to Australia, his operating systems for solving problems, and how to reverse engineer luck.

34. Nov 2019
    Startmate - Featuring Michael Batko · Day One

    Michael Batko discusses the story of Startmate and his role as head of operations at the leading tech accelerator.

Press

23 articles about him or quoting him, newest first.

1. Aug 2026
   How to Run a Seed Round in New Zealand · Creative HQ

   Michael is featured for publishing a comprehensive guide on raising a seed round in New Zealand and the importance of good partners.

2. Jul 2026
   Workers Think AI Is Cheating And It’s Killing Growth · Employment Hero

   This article explores workplace anxiety around artificial intelligence and quotes Batko on how employees need explicit permission to use it.

3. Jul 2026
   Medical Angels scrubs up Michael Batko as venture partner to raise $40 million fund · Startup Daily

   This article reports on Hourglass AI founder Michael Batko joining Medical Angels as a venture partner for their new fund.

4. Apr 2026
   Former Startmate boss Michael Batko is back in founder mode building with Hourglass AI · Startup Daily

   Michael Batko and Finlay Ekins launch Hourglass AI to build practical artificial intelligence systems for Australian businesses.

5. Dec 2025
   Michael Batko steps down as Startmate CEO · Business News Australia

   This article covers Michael Batko stepping down as Startmate CEO and quotes him calling the role the privilege of his career.

6. Dec 2025
   Startmate CEO Michael Batko steps down after eight years · SmartCompany

   This article reports on Michael Batko stepping down as Startmate CEO after eight years to be replaced by Phoebe Pincus.

7. Oct 2025
   The big names betting on Starmate's startups · Forbes Australia

   Michael Batko is quoted in an article discussing the prominent investors backing startups through the Startmate accelerator program.

8. Sep 2025
   Customer Obsession, Fundraising Timelines & Why Pitch Decks Suck · Open Source CEO

   Michael Batko is interviewed about customer obsession, startup fundraising timelines and his perspective on why traditional pitch decks are ineffective.

9. Oct 2024
   VCs ready to splash $500m in pandemic cash · Stockhead

   Michael Batko is quoted discussing how Australian venture capital firms must deploy pandemic era funds over the next two years.

10. Apr 2024
    The CC Coffee with Michael Batko, CEO Startmate · The Community Collective

    Michael is featured in an interview where he discusses his role as CEO of Startmate and his passion for continuous learning.

11. Apr 2024
    Michael Batko Interview · Open Source CEO

    Michael Batko is interviewed about his career journey from corporate roles to becoming the chief executive of Startmate.

12. Mar 2024
    Startmate launches Ladymates to address pipeline of female founders · Forbes Australia

    Michael Batko announces the Ladymates initiative to address the inequity in venture capital funding for women in Australia.

13. Oct 2023
    Startmate's unusual directive to founders: don't talk to VCs · Capital Brief

    Michael Batko explains Startmate's directive for founders to focus entirely on customer conversations rather than pitching to investors.

14. Feb 2022
    Startmate cohort gets off to an investment flyer · InnovationAus

    Michael Batko announces Startmate's increased investment terms to give mentors a meaningful stake and startups a six-month runway.

15. Mar 2021
    Startup Funding Pool Deepens With Arrival Of Startmate · Premier of Victoria

    Michael Batko is quoted on Startmate establishing a permanent hub in Melbourne to support Victorian founders and angel investors.

16. Oct 2020
    CEFC backs Australia's next wave of cleantech startups through Startmate · Clean Energy Finance Corporation

    Michael Batko is quoted expressing excitement about the Innovation Fund supporting Startmate's commitment to advancing climate-focused startups in Australia.

17. Oct 2020
    ask an accelerator: startmate · Kindrik Partners

    Michael Batko discusses the Startmate accelerator programme, its expansion to New Zealand, and what they look for in startups.

18. Jul 2020
    Startmate: Accelerating excellence · Kea NZ

    Michael Batko is interviewed about Startmate expanding its accelerator programme into New Zealand to support local startup founders.

19. Jul 2020
    Startup plans to take AI sewage solution overseas · Government News

    This article discusses a startup expanding its artificial intelligence sewage solution and quotes Batko on backing their global market expansion.

20. Jun 2020
    The 10-slide VC Deck · Startup News

    Michael Batko is quoted sharing advice on how founders should structure a ten slide marketing pitch deck for venture capitalists.

21. May 2020
    Move over Silicon Valley: NZ could be the next best base for startups · The Spinoff

    Michael Batko is quoted discussing how New Zealand is becoming an increasingly attractive base for global startup operations and investment.

22. Feb 2020
    Australian start-up announces female-only Fellowship program · Women's Agenda

    This article covers Startmate's new female-only fellowship program and quotes Batko on providing women with new pathways in tech.

23. Michael Batko on Leadership Lessons, Mentorship, and Continuous Growth · The Co-Lab

    Michael is interviewed about his career journey to becoming Startmate CEO and shares key leadership lessons he learned from past managers.

Talks and interviews

Written by Michael

1 pages on this site carry this byline.

• AI automation for Australian businesses: where it actually pays back