We’re proud to announce that Party Onbici has graduated from Cohort 9 of the Australian Sports Tech Network (ASTN) Pre-Accelerator Program — an intensive 10-week program developed in partnership with the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft.
What is the ASTN Pre-Accelerator?
The ASTN-GSIC Pre-Accelerator Program is designed for tech entrepreneurs, researchers, and practitioners in the sports and active lifestyle space. It addresses three critical challenges that early-stage startups face:
- Customer Discovery — understanding who your users really are
- Market and Competitor Analysis — knowing your landscape
- Business Model Development — building a sustainable business
The program has been described by participants as “superior to MBA entrepreneurial units” — and having been through it, we can see why.
Program Structure
Over 10 intensive weeks, we completed:
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Modules | 6 core modules |
| Sessions | 20 total sessions |
| Schedule | 2 sessions weekly |
| Mentoring | One-on-one mentor meetings |
| Office Hours | Optional weekly support |
The Six Modules
- Commercialisation — turning ideas into viable products
- Translating R&D — moving from research to reality
- Validation of Ideas — testing assumptions with real users
- Organisational Ambitions — setting strategic direction
- Administrative Necessities — the business fundamentals
- Learn from the Best — insights from successful founders
Why Sports Tech?
You might wonder: is a cycling community platform really “sports tech”?
Absolutely. Cycling sits at the intersection of:
- Sport — recreational riding, training, competitions
- Transport — commuting, active mobility
- Health — fitness, wellbeing, mental health
- Technology — route planning, community matching, data insights
The ASTN program helped us understand how Party Onbici fits into the broader sports technology ecosystem — and how to communicate our value to different stakeholders.
What We Learned
The pre-accelerator transformed how we think about our business:
Customer Discovery
We deepened our understanding of the different types of cyclists we serve:
- Commuters seeking safety in numbers
- Social riders looking for community
- New cyclists building confidence
- Experienced riders wanting to share knowledge
Market Positioning
We clarified how Party Onbici differs from:
- Fitness tracking apps (we’re about community, not metrics)
- Route planning tools (we connect people, not just places)
- Social networks (we facilitate real-world rides, not just online interaction)
Business Model
We refined our approach to sustainability:
- Value for individual riders
- Value for cities and councils
- Value for employers and organisations
- Pathways to revenue that align with our mission
The ASTN Community
One of the most valuable aspects of the program was joining the ASTN community:
- Fellow founders building innovative sports tech solutions
- Mentors with deep industry experience
- Partners including Microsoft, LaunchVic, and QIC
- Network across Australian and global sports tech
The relationships we built continue to support our growth long after the program ended.
From Pre-Accelerator to Global Recognition
The ASTN Pre-Accelerator was a pivotal moment in our journey. The skills and connections we gained helped us:
- Refine our pitch for subsequent programs
- Understand our market position more clearly
- Build confidence in our business model
- Connect with the Australian startup ecosystem
Since completing the program, we’ve gone on to achieve recognition in:
- The Earthshot Prize nominations
- Toyota Mobility Foundation Sustainable Cities Challenge
- QBE AcceliCITY Top 50
- NSW Smart Cities Challenge
- Transport for NSW endorsement
The foundation laid in the ASTN Pre-Accelerator made all of this possible.
Thank You
To the ASTN team for creating such a valuable program. To our mentors for their guidance and honest feedback. To our fellow Cohort 9 founders for the camaraderie and support. And to the Global Sports Innovation Center and Microsoft for their partnership.
If you’re a sports tech founder considering the ASTN Pre-Accelerator, we can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s where our journey truly began.
Ready to join the cycling community we’ve built? Download the app and find your next group ride.