Plus Eight Opens 10th Accelerator Cohort With $700,000 Seed Pool & San Francisco Immersion

Spacecubed has opened applications for the tenth cohort of its Plus Eight Accelerator, marking the Perth-based program’s tenth anniversary since its 2016 launch.

The six-month program will give selected startups access to a share of $700,000 in seed funding on convertible SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) notes, structured mentorship, and an international immersion trip to San Francisco. 

According to Spacecubed, Plus Eight has supported startups across technology, health, sustainability, and consumer products over the past ten years. Participating companies have collectively secured more than $4.3 million in direct investment through the program, raised over $30 million in follow-on funding, and built a combined portfolio value exceeding $230 million.

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Thursday, May 14th, which gives you roughly three weeks to apply.

How it works

Program Lead Juliette Lucas returns to run Accelerator, alongside Entrepreneur in Residence Dr Marcus Tan. Both work directly with founders on strategy, growth, and scaling.

Founders are embedded in Spacecubed’s Riff innovation hub in the Perth CBD for the duration of the program, with ongoing access to the broader Plus Eight alumni, mentor, and investor community — including initiatives such as the Plus Eight Syndicate.

Accelerator runs as a three-phase program. It starts with a two-day intensive bootcamp, where founders receive real-time feedback from program leads, mentors, and investors. Selected teams then move into Phase One, an eight-week sprint built around Entrepreneur-in-Residence sessions, expert-led masterclasses, and tailored mentorship.

In Phase Two, a group of between six and 12 startups secures seed funding, gains access to international opportunities, and pitches at the program’s Demo Night.

Going global from day one

International market exposure is a core part of the program. Phase Two founders travel to a major global ecosystem to build relationships, meet investors, and gain firsthand insights into international scaling. Previous immersions have included San Francisco, Singapore, and London. In 2026, the cohort will head back to San Francisco.

Recent alumni have pointed to tangible business outcomes from the experience. “The program gave us the structure, accountability, and community we needed to scale with confidence. With the support of mentors and peers, we were able to almost triple our revenue, grow our team by 300%, and refine our strategy for success,” Jason Paizes, CTO and Co-Founder of Relait, said.

Heidi Andrews, Co-Founder of The Khüsh Place, said the program changed the company’s trajectory. “Being part of Plus Eight was transformative. We came in hoping to grow and left investor-ready, with the confidence and connections to build a global brand. The community and mentorship are unlike anything else.”To apply or find more information, go to Plus Eight.