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Deakin Life Student news and insights

16 October 2025

Bring your business ideas to life with Deakin’s on-campus pre-accelerator program

Do you have a bright idea and an interest in starting up a business?

As a member of the Deakin student community you can apply to be a part of our renewable energy supply chain pre-accelerator program and receive a voucher up to $10,000 to kick start your business.

Be part of our first cohort

You can be part of the first of four cohorts of startup founders over the next two years, with each program running for six months, and be supported to take your ideas to impact.

The program is designed to set you up as a startup founder, either by yourself or as a team. We are here to help you get your startup off the ground.

The program is a great opportunity to learn from experts and mentors that will help you transform your idea into a successful business. With this new commercialisation support pathway, we are backing members of our Deakin community – students, researchers and staff – to drive impact and Australia’s energy transition.

-Amy Hunter, Executive Director Research Business Development and Commercialisation

What the program involves

  • Attending 12 sessions (approximately 4 hours each), over 6 months, starting in December.

  • A mixture of practical in-person and virtual sessions.

  • Self-paced learning, mentoring and practical application.

The cost to participate is $1,800 (which you can elect to have deducted from your voucher allocation).

A panel will assess all applications, and successful applicants will be required to sign a Participation Agreement before commencing. An expression of interest does not guarantee you a spot in the program.

Capabilities you’ll build through your pre-accelerator journey

  • How to rapidly accelerate business ideas.
  • Develop a business strategy based on market and competitor insights.
  • Understand your Intellectual Property (IP) options.
  • Develop a robust commercialisation plan.
  • Understand the importance of sound financial management.
  • Know how to design and develop your product to make it manufacturing ready.
  • Become seed investment ready.

This is the first of a number of new programs to spark commercialisation across the Deakin community. This Deakin pre-accelerator program is co-funded by LaunchVic.

How to apply

We have 10 seats (for individuals or a team) available for our launch cohort – don’t miss this great opportunity to spark your business journey.

👉 Apply now by filling in an expression of interest form by 5pm Tuesday 5 December.

For further enquiries please email entrepreneurship@deakin.edu.au.



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