Register your interest today for 2021 program dates.
Participants accepted into the program will receive a tailored program of support designed to help early stage startup founders, plan and successfully execute their journey towards building a globally scalable and investment ready business.
Participants will also receive one-to-one mentoring from the ICC's Entrepreneur in Residence; Kirk Drage and his company LeapSheep.
The program has three categories and is open internationally.
The General category is open to any industry sector and supports startups with the potential for high growth, who are developing new services, markets or business models that compete in global markets. Accepted applicants will receive a tailored program based on their current needs as well as the $10,000 stipend and other benefits mentioned above.
Applications are closed
The Space category, supported by the State Government's Space Innovation Fund, is the state's first program designed specifically for startups who are developing new services or products for the space industry. The program gives founders the support and tools they need to plan and successfully build a scalable and investment ready business.
Applications now open until 28 November
The Social Enterprise category is supported by Pank Family who support social innovation and enterprises developed by UniSA students or alumni. Through the Venture Catalyst program, the Pank Family have ensured that new ideas that come out of the University have the support and mentoring needed to set up a new and innovative social enterprise in South Australia.
Register interest for 2022 dates.
The Innovation & Collaboration Centre's Venture Catalyst program has three categories for potential applicants. Our 30-second application assistance tool can help you find which category is right for you.
This one-of-a-kind program delivers tailored support and guidance working with a global pool of expert advisors including former NASA astronaut Pam Melroy.
This category is an open industry category for ideas with a focus on technology.
This category focuses on socially enterprising ideas and startups by staff, students or alumni of UniSA.
Our Venture Catalyst brochure is a great introduction to the the program, including case studies and testimonials from our startups.
“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
“What began as a mix of hobby-development just over five years ago, has now turned into a full-time commercial venture. Apart from giving us the support and resources to focus on product development, access to the working space and resources has been immensely helpful for us pre-cash flow, which has been so valuable.”
Tim Simon
Co-founder, Studio Buddy
“The Venture Catalyst program has allowed us to progress our idea from an early stage project to a working prototype (an online mental health platform) that we’ve recently piloted in South Australia and Europe (including the Netherlands and United Kingdom). It helped us refine our offering and learn how to market it. We’re still using the Business Model Canvas from a workshop 12 months ago and pitching to a life panel helped us identify areas for improvement.”
Joseph Skewes
Co-Founder, Secure Nest
“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
Applications are currently closed. Stay tuned for 2021 dates.
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.
For the categories that remain open, applicants will be contacted after their application has been assessed and kept up to date on the steps of their application.
The founder of the business must be based in South Australia and committed to establishing the business here. If you are based interstate or overseas, there is the stipend of $10,000 and may also be relocation grants available depending on your category. For regional startups, the program can be completed at either the regional ICC in Whyalla or online.
The program is offered at the ICC Adelaide and the regional ICC at Whyalla as well as online.
This program is based on individual support and mentoring to help you get your idea off the ground. This is not a grant program however eligible startups do receive a stipend of $10,000. This is currently only open to the Space category.
This program is 100% equity free. You retain any and all of your equity and IP as a participant of this program.
If you are applying for the Space category, the ICC is a part of the Supporting Innovation in South Australia (SISA) program that will issue temporary visas to those that meet all the Department of Home Affairs' criteria and requirements. Please visit the SISA Webpage for more information and to apply. For the other categories, you should consult the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs for information about possible visa options.
