Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the shortcodes-ultimate domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /var/www/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114

Deprecated: Required parameter $naTargetElementPath follows optional parameter $sType in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/fetch-tweets/include/class/event/action/FetchTweets__Action_TwitterAPIResponseCacheRenewal.php on line 64

Deprecated: Required parameter $field follows optional parameter $i in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/acf-repeater/includes/5-7/acf-repeater-field.php on line 739

Deprecated: Required parameter $post_id follows optional parameter $i in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/acf-repeater/includes/5-7/acf-repeater-field.php on line 739

Deprecated: Required parameter $field follows optional parameter $i in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/acf-repeater/includes/5-7/acf-repeater-field.php on line 805

Deprecated: Required parameter $post_id follows optional parameter $i in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/acf-repeater/includes/5-7/acf-repeater-field.php on line 805
Pre-Accelerator | INCUBATE

Pre-Accelerator

 

Mentoring to accelerate early-stage startups and impactful research.

INCUBATE’s Pre-Accelerator Program is a free part-time mentoring program created to support individuals and teams from within the University of Sydney community and beyond who are committed to building a startup or delivering impactful research.

Delivered by INCUBATE, the award-winning Pre-Accelerator Program is backed by 1:1 mentorship with industry-leading professionals and facilitated by our Program Managers with a wealth of experience in startups and research commercialisation.

Our Pre-Accelerator Program has a range of specialised program streams:

ProtoX: Students – exclusively supporting early-stage founders who are current students at The University of Sydney.

ProtoX: Arts – in collaboration with Australia Council for the Arts to provide members of the Australian arts community with the knowledge, skills, and network to test and scale their startup ideas into businesses.

ProtoX: Ideation to Creation – supporting early-stage startup founders from the University of Sydney community (student, alumni or staff) within any sector develop their business ideas into businesses.

ProtoX: Research to Impact – supporting the translation and commercialisation of research from The University of Sydney.

ProtoX: First Nations – supporting Indigenous & First Nations entrepreneurs within The University of Sydney community with a focus on cultural awareness to amplify the impact of Indigenous-owned businesses.

ProtoX: Female Founders – in collaboration with the Investment NSW Boosting Business Innovation Program, INCUBATE Female Founders supports early-stage startups with greater than 50% female identifying founders to develop their startup ideas into businesses. The program focuses on empowering female founders to overcome the obstacles they often experience in the startup space.


  • EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST HERE FOR 2025


    Not sure which Program is for you? Watch our short ProtoX information session to learn more.
  • ProtoX: Female Founders

  • 2024 Key Dates
  • Trimester 3: Female Founders
  • Applications Open: 12th August 2024
  • Applications Close: 1st September 2024
  • Cohorts Announced: 10th September 2024
  • Program Dates: 17th September – 3rd December 2024
  • Trimester 1 2025: Idea To Creation
  • Applications Open:Jan 2025
  • Applications Close: Feb 2025
  • Cohorts Announced: Feb 2025
  • Program Dates: Feb 2025 – May 2025
  • Program Overview:
    • 12-week program comprising of 2-hour weekly workshops – in-person or online pending program stream
    • 1:1 weekly mentorship meetings with an Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR)
    • Key theoretical learnings
    • Hands-on customer testing and experimentation
    • Opportunity to pitch your business idea to the community and industry
    • Access to INCUBATE’s community of dedicated mentors, investors and industry professionals
    • Equity-free grant pending successful completion of Program
    Time Commitment:
    • 2-hour weekly workshop in-person or online – attendance required
    • 1-hour weekly meeting with EiR to discuss goals, updates and action items
    • Workshops, networking or community events hosted on alternate weeks – non-compulsory but attendance encouraged
    • At least 5 hours per week should be spent focused on completing theoretical workshop tasks & customer testing outside of abovementioned events

    Hear from one of our ProtoX Founders

    “I absolutely would not have made the progress I did without ProtoX. It gave me the confidence, opportunity and motivation to conduct my first customer interviews and get my first paying customers. The program made me accountable, and gave me an opportunity to pitch my ideas and demonstrate my progress.

    During ProtoX I was able to ask for support or ideas from the Program Manager and the other founders, who came from different industries, experiences, and stages of life. It gave me a more rounded view than just working alone.”

    Victoria Edghill, founder of Relievables (ProtoX Alumni; INCUBATE Accelerator Class 15)