We’re a venture scaler powered by CommBank. We build, buy, and invest in startups that would benefit from connections to Australia’s leading bank, and could improve the lives of its 15 million customers. 

We sit in the unique space between corporate and startup. Close enough to benefit from the bank’s strategy, scale and stability, but separate enough that we have the autonomy to try new things.  

x15 works closely with our ventures to: 

Xccelerate is an annual program helping early-stage founders understand the pathway to corporate partnership.  

Through the program, finalists get access to decision makers, mentors and experts inside x15 and CommBank, helping them explore potential pathways to partnership with the bank, pitch for funding, and ultimately accelerate the growth of their businesses. x15ventures aims to culminate the Xccelerate program with one or more applicants receiving a SAFE Note investment.  

Finalists will benefit from: 

Xccelerate23 is not a competition - by entering the program, you are beginning an accelerated investment process. We aim to invest a $250k SAFE Note into at least one startup that participates in an Xccelerate cohort. The SAFE's valuation cap will be determined based on the maturity of your business. We do not look to hold more than 10% at conversion of the SAFE, regardless of cheque size or valuation cap.

We are looking for applications from early-stage companies that are aligned to theme of Helping Advance Australia’s Transition to Net Zero. More specifically, we are looking for businesses that:  

Xccelerate helps early-stage founders understand what the pathway to partnering with a large corporate, like a bank, looks like. It’s a high-touch program that creates deep connections between founders and key stakeholders within x15 and CommBank. It’s for teams who want to stress-test their venture in the right environments and practically evaluate if partnering with a corporate is appropriate for their venture growth. 

There are three key events in the program: 

Following the showcase, x15’s Portfolio team, along with CommBank’s climate experts, will make an assessment and begin due diligence (including assessments of climate credentials) on selected ventures. 

Check out our Eligibility criteria (Who can apply) first, and, if you feel like you fit the bill, please complete the Application Form and submit your Pitch Deck. Early submissions (in before 11 August) will receive a detailed review from our investment team, with advice that could improve the quality of your application. The final deadline for submissions is 22 August.

Applications open: Monday 17 July  

Applications close: Tuesday 22 August 

Community Day: Wednesday 6 September 

Partnership Pathway Day: Tuesday 12 September 

Investment Committee: Tuesday 3 October

Showcase:  Date to be announced 

Both the Community and Partnership Pathway days be based out of x15’s office in South Eveleigh, Sydney. The Community Day will be available for teams to stream via MS Teams, while all other events will be face-to-face. We will work with teams individually and based on different stages of the program to assist with travel expenses where suitable.

No way! We don’t need to know the ‘secret sauce’ at this stage. We need to understand the problem you’re solving and whether what you’re doing and how you’re doing it align with a key area of strategic importance and interest for CommBank. If we need to get down to brass tacks, that will come once you’ve been selected as a top venture and in late stages of the investment consideration process. We can work together to determine the best way to get enough information to make an investment decision.   

As you know, elements of Xccelerate23 will be run as a public event. News and media of Xccelerate23, its participants, and aspects of their applications may be circulated by x15 on social media and in the press. Accordingly, a note not to share anything you wouldn't be happy to share in a public forum. For example, participants should not share any information which is commercially sensitive and confidential. Please refer to the Xccelerate23 Participant Terms and Conditions for more information on how participant materials are handled. 

For the Xccelerate23 program we are seeking Australia-based founders and businesses.

Please refer to our Xccelerate 23 Participant Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy for further information on how we store data