Expressions of interest close on 19 July for FLIP NSW, a free statewide pre-accelerator designed to give women founders, including those building early-stage food and beverage ventures, the skills, networks and coaching to take ideas to market.
The program is delivered by the University of Newcastle’s Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) in partnership with the University of New England and Charles Sturt University, and is funded through the NSW Government’s $4 million Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program with philanthropic support from the MacDougall Foundation.
The foundation was established by University of Newcastle alumni, Belinda and Adam MacDougall. Belinda MacDougall is the founder and CEO of The Healthy Happy Co, the company behind The Lady Shake, The Man Shake and The Kids Shake.
FLIP NSW will support up to 188 founders over two years, with at least 50 per cent of participants to come from regional NSW. The program is open to women aged 18 and over living in the state, with no university affiliation required. Ideas need to show an element of innovation and the potential to grow beyond a sole operator.
It expands I2N’s existing FLIP program, which has operated in the Hunter and Central Coast regions. Over the past decade, I2N has supported more than 188 startups and small businesses that have gone on to raise more than $63 million in capital and create 280 jobs.
University of Newcastle Acting Director of Knowledge Exchange and Entrepreneurship, Siobhan Curran, said the program gives founders “access to coaching, community, customers and capital”.
FLIP NSW runs in two phases. Phase 1, Founder Readiness, is a seven-week online-first program running from 4 August to 15 September. It includes idea workshops, small-group coaching, a women in innovation panel, an in-person speed networking event, and self-paced modules designed to fit around work, study and family commitments.
Phase 2, the Pre-Accelerator Intensive, runs from 8 October to 3 December and takes founders from a validated problem to an investor-ready pitch. The nine weeks cover customer validation, business models, startup finance, leadership and storytelling, with weekly pod coaching, and finish with a statewide showcase. Applications for Phase 2 open on 3 August and close on 20 September. Founders who complete Phase 1 are invited to apply, and those further along can apply for Phase 2 directly.
Phase 1 expressions of interest close at 11.59pm on Sunday 19 July via the I2N website.
