Venture Catalyst program 2023.
Credit: Innovation & Collaboration Centre
The Innovation & Collaboration Centre’s (ICC) Venture Catalyst program is now open for applications for innovative ideas from any industry.
The program is open for those in a general category and those in a social enterprise category starting in October until March 2024.
The ICC’s flagship program was first launched in 2015 as a partnership between the State Government and UniSA to support student led ventures that would benefit from South Australia’s economic development.
Those applying will need to have at least one team member that is a student, staff member or alumni of the University of South Australia.
Successful companies will be accepted into the competitive six-month program which is similar to the Venture Catalyst Space program, but open to any industry.
Aaron Davis at the ICC
Credit: Innovation & Collaboration Centre
The program sees subject matter global experts educate founders on the process of starting a global company as well as one-one-one mentoring, workshops and office space in the ICC. Each successful company will also receive a $10,000AUD stipend.
Deputy Director of Business Incubation Craig Jones says the program is open to UniSA staff, students and alumni.
“We’ve seen great success through this program for many years”, he says.
He says the program can be undertaken alongside other commitments like study, work and while undertaking research.
“We encourage those with potential commercial projects that are early stage, to apply for the program to find out what it takes to be a CEO of a startup, and how to create a scalable business,” he says.
“The program can also be undertaken alongside research to enable researchers to understand the process of taking an idea to market.
“UniSA is supporting our students, alumni and staff to take ideas and turn them into a commercial enterprise.”
The Venture Catalyst program is delivered by the ICC together with Kirk Drage and his company LeapSheep.
Introduction session with LeapSheep's Kirk Drage and Kathryn Heaton.
Credit: Innovation & Collaboration Centre
After 12 years at Microsoft in roles such as Head of Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Relations for Asia Pacific (based in Singapore), Drage spent time in Silicon Valley developing Artificial Intelligence products and services before returning home to Adelaide in 2015, passionate about supporting committed entrepreneurs.
Applications are open until Sunday 30 July 2023 via the website icc.unisa.edu.au/vc.
Media Contact:
Georgia Minarelli M: +61 413 314 726 E: Georgia.minarelli@unisa.edu.au
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