About
Since 2015, the Innovation & Collaboration Centre has supported early-stage startups through providing workspace, mentoring and funding. Read more about our staff and our startups.
Programs
The Innovation & Collaboration Centre is home to Venture Catalyst and the state's first space incubator program Venture Catalyst Space. These programs are designed to help founders start their business.
Participants accepted into Venture Catalyst undertake a program of support tailored to help early-stage startup founders plan and build a sustainable, globally scalable and investment-ready business.
This includes workshops and one-to-one mentoring delivered by expert startup advisory company, LeapSheep. Participants also have access to a diverse range of industry experts and cutting-edge events aimed at furthering business development.
Venture Catalyst is open to UniSA alumni, students and staff in any industry sector.
Applications open | Monday 6 January 2025 |
Applications close | Monday 17 March 2025 |
60-minute online workshop* | Monday 7 April 2025 |
Application outcome | Monday 28 April 2025 |
Program starts | Monday 26 May 2025 |
Program ends | Friday 28 November 2025 |
*This session is compulsory for shortlisted applicants.
Venture Catalyst supports startups with the potential for high growth who are developing innovative new products, services, or business models that can compete in global markets.
The six-month accelerator program supports startups through specialised workshops, mentoring and funding. The program also works as an incubator, offering free co-working space for participants, access to industry experts and a bustling startup community.
Engage in a series of tailored capability workshops and pitch and feedback sessions designed for founders to accelerate growth
Grow from one-on-one mentoring sessions to support implementation of new knowledge
Access a custom-built co-working space in Adelaide CBD and benefit from UniSA’s resources and facilities like research, internship placements, Industry TestLab 4.0, marketing, legal and tax clinics, and much more
Connect with a pool of global industry experts who deliver specialised advice for startup founders in areas like tax law, product development, IP-related commercialisation, enterprise architecture and digital strategy
Join a like-minded startup community and grow through peer learning, networking, and regular formal and informal events
Get ahead with an equity-free stipend of $10,000 AUD and retain your IP. Stipends are paid incrementally according to contract terms
Disruption describes innovations that displace – or dramatically interrupt – how we think, behave, live and do business.
The idea must be scalable and able to grow.
Generally speaking, Venture Catalyst will not accept applications for the following reasons:
“Since winning Venture Catalyst, we have had massive exposure to the entire UniSA faculty, which has aided in getting advice from various departments. The ICC has provided us with advice on getting investor-ready as well as giving advice on when it is a good time to take on an investor.”
Lindon Lark
Venture Catalyst participant, Blend Etiquette
“The Venture Catalyst program provided us with practical tools to validate our hypotheses through user research, a framework to greatly improve our pitch deck narrative, funding that enabled one of our engineering co-founders to go full-time, and a supportive environment in which we could seek genuine feedback from mentors, facilitators, and fellow founders. It's a great program and one that I can recommend for any early-stage startup.”
Joseph Skewes
Venture Catalyst participant, ID8R
“By being located in the ICC, we have had access to world-class mentors whom we meet with on a regular basis. We [were] also exposed to business leaders and potential clients through the range of ICC events and this expanded our network and possible client base.”
Noelle Smit
Venture Catalyst participant, Teamgage
“I envision the Venture Catalyst program as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Success in the program means unlocking doors to new opportunities and collaborations.”
Kelly Payne
Venture Catalyst participant, Think It, Do It (TIDI)
Think It, Do It (TIDI) is an intuitive, AI-driven digital notebook to capture, organise and develop business ideas and streamline the entrepreneurial journey.
“Being immersed in the startup community is immensely beneficial, and being surrounded by other companies in their early stages provides opportunities to learn from each other’s progress. The services were fantastic and we felt very well supported during our time at the ICC.”
Supriya Dixit
Venture Catalyst participant, eDON
The eDON platform connects hospitals and pre-qualified nurses, empowering nurses with flexibility, skills recognition and higher earning potential.
“Anyone wanting to scale their social enterprise needs to head to the ICC as they provide help you won’t find anywhere else. The program allowed my business to grow and achieve our goal of changing the lives of children and their consideration of future careers in STEM. I was able to be connected with invaluable industry connections, fellow startups who understood my journey, and a detailed educational program that taught me the practical skills to elevate Sport Teach Learn to the next level.”
Katie Gloede
Venture Catalyst Social Enterprise participant, Sport Tech Learn
Sport Tech Learn is a platform that engages students using an integrated curriculum to gain confidence and skills in STEM.
“I wanted support and resources to turn my startup theory into a reality. I am a strong advocate for the support I received through the program and continue to receive through being part of the ICC community. I heavily promote to anyone looking for startup support to make the ICC their first call.”
Daryl McMahon
Venture Catalyst Social Enterprise participant, Hairy As
Hairy As produce natural, sustainability-focused beard care products with a vision of creating better men everywhere.
“Participating in the Venture Catalyst program presents an exciting opportunity to open doors to potential investors, collaborators, and mentors.”
Shivendra Singh
Venture Catalyst participant, Lumina Vista
Lumina Vista empowers international students and graduates on their journey to academic and career success.
“Since winning Venture Catalyst, we have had massive exposure to the entire UniSA faculty, which has aided in getting advice from various departments. The ICC has provided us with advice on getting investor-ready as well as giving advice on when it is a good time to take on an investor.”
Lindon Lark
Co-Founder, Blend Etiquette
“The Venture Catalyst program provided us with practical tools to validate our hypotheses through user research, a framework to greatly improve our pitch deck narrative, funding that enabled one of our engineering co-founders to go full-time, and a supportive environment in which we could seek genuine feedback from mentors, facilitators, and fellow founders. It's a great program and one that I can recommend for any early-stage startup.”
Joseph Skewes
Co-founder, ID8R
“By being located in the ICC, we have had access to world-class mentors whom we meet with on a regular basis. We [were] also exposed to business leaders and potential clients through the range of ICC events and this expanded our network and possible client base.”
Noelle Smit
Co-Founder, Teamgage
“I envision the Venture Catalyst program as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Success in the program means unlocking doors to new opportunities and collaborations.”
Kelly Payne
Founder, Think It, Do It (TIDI)
Think It, Do It (TIDI) is an intuitive, AI-driven digital notebook to capture, organise and develop business ideas and streamline the entrepreneurial journey.
“Being immersed in the startup community is immensely beneficial, and being surrounded by other companies in their early stages provides opportunities to learn from each other’s progress. The services were fantastic and we felt very well supported during our time at the ICC.”
Supriya Dixit
Operations, eDON
The eDON platform connects hospitals and pre-qualified nurses, empowering nurses with flexibility, skills recognition and higher earning potential.
“Anyone wanting to scale their social enterprise needs to head to the ICC as they provide help you won’t find anywhere else. The program allowed my business to grow and achieve our goal of changing the lives of children and their consideration of future careers in STEM. I was able to be connected with invaluable industry connections, fellow startups who understood my journey, and a detailed educational program that taught me the practical skills to elevate Sport Teach Learn to the next level.”
Katie Gloede
Venture Catalyst participant, Sport Tech Learn
Sport Tech Learn is a platform to engage students using an integrated curriculum to gain confidence and skills in STEM.
“I wanted support and resources to turn my startup theory into a reality. I am a strong advocate for the support I received through the program and continue to receive through being part of the ICC community. I heavily promote to anyone looking for startup support to make the ICC their first call.””
Daryl McMahon
Venture Catalyst Social Enterprise participant, Hairy As
Hairy As produce natural, sustainability-focused beard care products with a vision of creating better men everywhere.
“Participating in the Venture Catalyst program presents an exciting opportunity to open doors to potential investors, collaborators, and mentors.”
Shivendra Singh
Venture Catalyst participant, Lumina Vista
Lumina Vista empowers international students and graduates on their journey to academic and career success.
Applications for the 2025 Venture Catalyst program are open for a 10-week period between Monday, 6 January and Monday, 17 March. Access to the program application form will be enabled from Monday, 2 December for those wishing to make a head start.
To stay up to date with program information, join the ICC mailing list or follow the ICC on Facebook, LinkedIn or X. Otherwise, click here to send us an enquiry.
If shortlisted, you are likely to be asked to attend a short (45 min) informal interview to expand on your idea and allow the Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC) to meet the key members of your team. This may be in person or online.
Applicants in all categories will be contacted 4-6 weeks after their application has been submitted. Applicants will also be kept up to date on the steps and status of their application. All program-related dates will be published to this page when available.
Yes; to be eligible for the Venture Catalyst program, one member of your startup must either be a UniSA student, staff member, or alumni, or be able to show current or soon to commence participation in a research project with University staff. This does not apply for the Venture Catalyst Space program.
The founder of the business must be based in South Australia and committed to establishing their business here. For founders currently based interstate or overseas, the equity-free stipend of $10,000 AUD may be used to support relocation costs. For regional South Australian startups, the program can be completed at either the regional ICC in Whyalla or online.
The program is offered at the ICC in Adelaide’s CBD as well as online.
This program is built on tailored support and mentoring to help founders get their ideas off the ground. Venture Catalyst is not a grant program, however eligible startups receive an equity-free stipend of $10,000 AUD, paid incrementally according to contract terms. Since 2015, startups undertaking the Venture Catalyst program have gone on to raise $116 million in additional declared funding.
This program is 100% equity free. You retain any and all of your equity and IP as a participant of this program.
“When we joined the Venture Catalyst program, it just took our name out there and put it into the global domain.”
– Harrison Box, Venture Catalyst Space participant
“Venture Catalyst has been a great entry point for us to get into Australia.
– Migel Tissera, Venture Catalyst Space participant
“Failures and setbacks have taught me much, so learn to fail fast and fail gracefully.
– Ethan Tan, ICC Industry Expert
“Expertise informs what should be done; experience guides how to get it done. Access to both will accelerate your start-up’s journey."
– Nigel O'Neill, ICC Industry Expert
“Grow your network. It’s about who you know and a global mindset. Just because it may be new or not work out locally, doesn’t mean it hasn't already been conceived elsewhere - there could be opportunities to find new connections and collaborate.”
– Stephanie Wan, ICC Industry Expert
Monday to Friday................8am to 5pm
Weekend & public holidays.....closed
Adelaide
Enterprise Hub, 9 Light Square (building access via Philip St)
Adelaide, SA 5000
(08) 8302 7368
Regional
UniSA Building L/111 Nicolson Ave
Whyalla Norrie, SA 5608
(08) 8302 7368
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Making a social impact
Do you have a business idea that works to tackle social problems, improve communities, or help the environment?
Venture Catalyst supports innovative social impact startups founded by UniSA students, staff or alumni, developing products, services or business models that seek to change the world for the better.
To learn more, download a copy of the Venture Catalyst information pack.