Perth’s most promising entrepreneurs are being encouraged to nominate for the 2022 Curtin Accelerate, an intensive startup accelerator program that sims to turn brilliant ideas into booming businesses.
Curtin University Director of Commercialisation Rohan McDougall said Curtin Accelerate had helped more than 50 businesses successfully attract investment funding and launch products and services over recent years.
Curtin Accelerate works to nurture the next big ideas into the successful startups of the future and the calibre of these innovations continues to inspire us every year. By taking part in the program, participants will gain vital access to personalised mentoring and key industry networks that may help transform their idea.
Rohan McDougall, Curtin University Director of Commercialisation
Australian Venture Consultants Partner Mr Larry Lopez, a former senior executive at Silicon Valley Bank and Director of Accelerating Commercialisation, has been appointed to lead Curtin Accelerate in 2022.
Larry is very well known in Perth’s startup and tech sector, and brings a wealth of valuable knowledge and connections in Silicon Valley and the commercialisation field.
Alumni Success Stories
The free, 10-week startup program has produced a growing number of successful alumni including Fibre Economy – a Curtin trio that created a non-profit enterprise by turning unwanted mine site clothing into sustainable fashion.
Mr McDougall said the team is a “fine example of the success of the program.”
After taking part in Curtin Accelerate, the team of Curtin fashion graduates and a mine worker has helped steer WA toward a circular fashion and textile model, establishing Second Life Workwear, a clothing recycling initiative that facilitates the redistribution of unwanted high vis mine site workwear.
Rohan McDougall
Almost a year after launch and the Fibre Economy is more popular than they’d imagined, with charities across Western Australia and the Northern Territory supporting their initiative.
What does the program offer?
If you qualify for entry into the program, you’ll receive:
- a $5,000 equity-free grant.
- business startup workshops designed and delivered by an experienced program manager.
- access to key industry contacts and networks, including commercialisation experts, investors and potential partners.
- 10 weeks personalised mentoring from specialists in digital marketing, business growth, intellectual property and finance to help build and improve your idea for commercial success.
- free registration to the West Tech Fest 2021 conference.
Teams applying for Curtin Accelerate must include at least one Curtin staff member, student or graduate. Projects that align to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are encouraged to apply.
Applications close on 1 November 2021.
Curtin Accelerate will run in Curtin’s new entrepreneurship hub, which forms part of the University’s Exchange project, an industry-connected innovation precinct.
To find out more about the Curtin Accelerate program, visit their website.
~~
Disclosure: Curtin University is a sponsor of Startup News.
