INCUBATE Flagship Accelerator Program

 

Apply to launch your startup with INCUBATE’s Flagship 14-week Accelerator Program.

INCUBATE is The University of Sydney’s Flagship Accelerator Program designed to take startups from their first MVP to their first investment, customer or dollar figure. The 14-week, internationally-recognised Startup Program supports startups iterate their offering through skill-building masterclasses, 1:1 mentoring, industry connections and free collaborative workspace for the duration of the program.
Applications for INCUBATE Class 20 are now closed. Not sure which Program is for you? Watch our virtual information session below to learn more.

  • Submit your EOI for our next Accelerator here here now!

    • 2024 Key Dates
    Class 20

    • Applications Open: June 2024
    • Applications Close: July 2024
    • Interviews: July 2024
    • Cohorts Announced: July 2024
    • Program Dates: Starting August 2024

    Eligibility
    This criteria is for the Co-Curricular Accelerator Program, for information on the Startup Year BUSS4909 subject please refer to this page

    • We welcome startups of all sizes, though at least one founder must be a student, alumni, staff or researcher at The University of Sydney
    • Must have a working MVP or currently be in market
    • Working full-time in your startup
    • Revenue under $1m
    • On the pathway to finding product-market fit
    Program Overview

    • 14-week full-time Accelerator Program
    • One full-day weekly in-person programming session
    • One weekly accountability session with an Entrepreneur in Residence and actionable items
    • Weekly guest speakers and frequent networking events
    • 5-minute Business Pitch at Demo Day to 250+ key industry stakeholders
    • Access to INCUBATE’s community of dedicated mentors, investors and industry professionals
    • $5000 Equity-Free Grant upon successful completion of Program
    Application and Interview Process

  • All applications will be judged by the INCUBATE team and our mentor panel of experienced business leaders and entrepreneurs who have founded or funded successful startup businesses.
  • The stages of the Judging Process look like:
    • Screening: Applicants will be screened online and selected for an interview if they meet the selected eligibility criteria
    • First Interview: You’ll have a 45-minute interview with one of the INCUBATE Team to chat through your startup and suitability for the Program
    • Second Interview: Your second interview will be a call with one of our mentor panel who will chat through further questions in regards to your startup idea and feasibility.
    • Selection: Those who are you successful will advised of their acceptance into the Program. Upon your written commitment to the Program, you’re officially in!

      • Want to find out more about some of our amazing INCUBATE alumni?
      Read about all the INCUBATE alumni here.

      Recommended Reading

      Launch Your Startup with INCUBATE
      BY Mike Nicholls
      Elevating Student Startups
      BY James Alexander
      From Researcher to Entrepreneur
      BY Lizette Lee

      We’re looking for

      Global thinking, talented and motivated students, researchers and alumni.

      INCUBATE funds up to 15 high-potential startup teams. This means your business idea will:

      • Help solve a problem
      • Be a scalable solution
      • Will have a big impact on your target market

      You will be required to develop your idea into a first-version product or platform, and obtain your first customers within the 3-month program period – all in time to pitch at our Demo Day. Check out our previous startups for an idea of what we have funded in the past and remember: the crazier your idea, the better. Both early-stage and later-stage startups are welcome to apply.

      Applicants will ideally be able to define:

      • The problem you are trying to solve
      • The technology or process you will use to solve this problem
      • Who you think your customers will be
      • The competition and market size, in Australia and around the world
      • How you will go-to-market and what you will achieve in the 3 month period

       

      INCUBATE 2023 Dates

      INCUBATE Accelerator, 2023 Class 18 Program Dates: 24th February – 1st June

      INCUBATE Accelerator, 2023 Class 19 Program Dates: 17th August – 23rd November

      Applications Assessment

      All applications will be judged by our mentor panel of experienced business leaders and entrepreneurs, all of whom have either started their own business or have funded a successful startup business.

      Stages in the judging process:

      1. Screening: applicants will be screened online by the mentor panel and selected for an interview
      2. Workshop: finalists will be invited to attend a half-day workshop to meet the INCUBATE team, pitch their startup & demonstrate their vision.
      3. Interview: selected startups will be invited to a 15-minute interview with a panel of industry mentors
      4. Selection: Selected INCUBATE startups will be notified

      We will use the primary email address you provide in the application form to contact you.

      More questions?
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