fbpx


Build Your Innovation-ready Future with Startup Year at Western... more

HomeLaunch Pad Startup Accelerators

Launch Pad Startup Accelerators

Our purpose is to develop resilient founders, who create sustainable & innovative businesses, that meaningfully impact society & the community. We do this through founder care, academic rigour, technology support & practical experience.

Startup Accelerators

We run three different startup accelerators for founders each year.

pre-flight

Pre-flight

Preparing you for the mission

Focus: Pre-Accelerator

Delivery: 2 Days, Full Time, F2F Parramatta

Timing: July 2024

Entry Criteria: None

Cost: $199 incl. GST plus booking fee
(Complimentary for Western students and staff – contact launchpad@westernsydney.edu.au)

Two-fold focus: 

1) Developing base entrepreneurial capabilities and 

2) A focus on ideation – that is helping new founders to explore and select the idea they want to commercialise. Participants in the pre-accelerator should exit with an initial value proposition statement and lean canvas.

Find out more

Ignition

Getting you off the ground

Focus: Startup Accelerator (Design & Validate)

Delivery: 16 Weeks Part Time, online + F2F Parramatta

Timing: August – December 2024

Entry Criteria: Defined Idea (Business Model Canvas)

Helping founders to refine their value proposition and business model. There is a strong emphasis on a rigorous approach to problem and solution validation. Participants should exit the accelerator ready to build their minimum viable product.

Find out more
accelerate

Booster

Breaking through gravity

Focus: Scaleup Accelerator Masterclasses

Delivery: Regular Masterclasses

Timing: Monthly during 2024​

Helping startups accelerate towards and beyond product market fit and increase traction. Focus areas include growth hacking, go to market and pricing strategies, capital raising and team building. Participants in the accelerator should benefit through an increase in one or more traction measures (customers, revenue, adoption).

Find out more

JAN

31

Info Session

Online

Accelerator Information Session

We will be holding an engaging and informative VIRTUAL info session with our Entrepreneurs in Residence, to dive deeper into the Startup Accelerator programs offered at Launch Pad and how you can benefit from such opportunities.

More information will be made available soon!

Register for info session

Register your interest through a simple EOI form and we will contact you to discuss your startup’s requirements.

By submitting an application, you confirm that you have read and agreed to our terms and conditions and code of conduct.

Submit your EOI

By submitting an application, you confirm that you have read and agreed to our terms and conditions and code of conduct.

Apply Now
The Benefits

Why join a Launch Pad Startup Accelerator?

Open Access

You don’t have to be a Western student—as long as you are an entrepreneur at heart, and are driven to bring innovation to the startup ecosystem, we welcome you!

World-Class Mentors

Our entrepreneurs in residence (EIRs) who have launched many businesses. Learn from their success and failures—get access to a playbook resource of best practices.

Part-Time

Embark on your entrepreneurial journey while keeping your 9 to 5. A mix of virtual sessions and in-person workshops at the Parramatta Engineering Innovation Hub.

Founder Care

We take a holistic and personalised approach in accelerating both you and your business by providing support at each step of your growth journey as a founder, not just your startup.

Integrated Facilities

Get access to state of the art technology facilities (Makerspace, VR/AR, Podcast studios, micro-factories). Connect with the university expertise, researchers and students.

Discounts & Benefits

As a Launch Pad member, tap into a network of industry experts, fellow founders and like-minded community members. Get access to over $200k worth of partner perks.

By submitting an application, you confirm that you have read and agreed to our terms and conditions and code of conduct.

Meet The Team

Meet the team behind the Launch Pad accelerators.

Jamie
Pride

Chief Entrepreneur in Residence

Jonathon
Wolfe

Mentor

Adeline
Chu

Mentor

Ian
Mason

Mentor

Mabel Joe

Senior Coordinator, Communications & Activation

By submitting an application, you confirm that you have read and agreed to our terms and conditions and code of conduct.

Testimonials

Hear from our past cohort

  • Megna Murali

    Convert Dial

    The Launch Pad program helped me go from an idea on a page and to MVP. The one-on-one mentoring and structured 6-month framework is personal and tailored to each founder. Unlike other programs that are short term, in 6 months you can achieve significant progress. There were plenty of opportunities to connect with the cohort and the mentors and I have made great friends through this program.

  • Lucas Cox

    GeoJob

    The WSU team have provided invaluable guidance into the intricacies of problem and solution validation and capital raise preparation. GeoJob has gained many valuable contacts and resources from legal advice from Frank Law through to eligibility for start up discounts from the likes of HubSpot and AWS.

  • Priyadarshini Das

    OkayMate

    The mentors came with rich experience in the start-up ecosystem and had an answer to every question.

  • Belinda Chapman

    Quantal Bioscience

    The Launch Pad program has greatly expanded my understanding of business and start-up processes, introduced me to great mentors (who have introduced me to even more mentors), and opened my eyes to the idea of a long-term entrepreneurial career and better equipped me for this. In addition, the Launch Pad program has introduced me to an interesting group of founders, and a peer support network with whom I anticipate remaining in touch, continuing to learn from, and perhaps even collaborating with as we grow our business in Western Sydney.

  • Andri Selamat

    DigiCity for Kids

    Launch Pad had equipped me with the skills on how to progress an idea into the next tangible steps, and be aware off the common pitfalls. It’s been a program where you can feel welcomed and share with like-minded people, at the same time supported by incredible team and guided by experienced mentors.

  • Wayne Larsen

    PT Blink

    The WSU Launch Pad program was an integral part of the evolution of PT Blink. Throughout the program, we received valuable insights from the mentors and EIR team, which readied our business and founding team for acceleration. We also met and engaged with a community of other startups; the collective passion and enthusiasm was contagious. I would recommend the Launch Pad program to any startup.

  • Sandra Pires

    Yesterday Stories

    Launch Pad gives you insight into the founder's journey from a deeply personal perspective and with founder well-being at the core. The emphasis on the scientific method for all experiments makes you accountable.

  • Gemma Colbran

    dARTbase

    Launch Pad accelerator pushes founders through the startup ecosystem, as opposed to "pulling" them like other accelerators. They supply you with the support, knowledge and tools you need to validate (or invalidate), build and grow your business..

   +61 2 9678 7200

  Suite 12, Ground Floor, 14 Great Western Highway,
Werrington NSW 2747
Subscribe