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.

Not sure which Program is for you? Watch our virtual information session below to learn more.

Express Your Interest Here Now!

2024 Key Dates
Class 20

Applications Open: 15 June – 15 July 2024
Applications Close: 15 July 2024
Interviews: 15 July – 24 July 2024
Cohorts Announced: 26 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
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

We’re looking for

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

INCUBATE funds up to 10 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 Flagship Accelerator Program

Recommended Reading

Launch Your Startup with INCUBATE

Elevating Student Startups

From Researcher to Entrepreneur

We’re looking for

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

More questions?

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until the next Accelerator Program begins!