Program Overview
The Accelerate Program is three months long, will be offered to up to 25 startups.
Starting with a Startup Bootcamp, you’ll be paired with an Entrepreneur in Residence who will act as your mentor throughout the program. You’ll meet with your EiR once a week to check in on your progress and get help with your goals. In addition to this, you‘ll attend weekly events hosted by the Catalysr team every Wednesday night. The program’s weekly time commitment is approximately 2 - 3 hours (outside of normal business hours). More details on the program events below:
Startup Bootcamp: During this time, you’ll pitch to EiR’s, the cohort and Catalysr team. We’ll also allocate your EiR and go over your roadmap for the program.
Intensive Mentorship: Weekly meetings with your EiR to keep you accountable and help you reach your business goals.
Weekly Events: Mixer events with mentors, investors & funders, Office Hours with industry experts, service providers (accounting, legal, etc.) and hands-on practical workshops.
Apply for Grants: In partnership with TechVisa, Catalysr Foundation will offer 4 x $2,500 grants to founders in the 2023 Accelerate cohort. The purpose of the grant is to help relieve the financial burden of administrative and/or operational expenses placed on the personal finances of founders during this early stage of growth.
The struggles of startup life don't end with the program. After the program you'll become a part of our community of 900+ alumni where you can get support, access resources and networks and share your journey with other migrapreneurs.
Still have some questions?
Check out our 2021 Accelerate Program Info Session
2024 Key Dates +
- Application Deadline: August 11th 2024 at 5pm (AEST).
- Decision Notification: Applications outcomes will be communicated by 30th August. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis so, the sooner you get your application in, the better.
- Startup Bootcamp: Sunday 8th of September, details to be supplied upon acceptance.
- Program dates: 8th September - 1st December 2024
Eligibility criteria +
- Migrapreneur Led: There must be at least one first-generation migrant or refugee co-founder in your team (i.e. born overseas).
- Early Stage: Your startup should be relatively young. For example, less than 5 years old / less than 10 staff.
- Registered: Your business must be incorporated or, at minimum, operating under a sole tradership.
- Australia based: Applications are open to migrant-led startups from anywhere in Australia.
- Tech or Social Enterprise: We look to specifically support Tech startup and businesses with a positive social/environmental impact. If you are a small business, we recommend considering SSI Ignite or Thrive Refugee Enterprise
If you're unsure whether or not your startup meets our eligibility criteria, please apply anyway as we will consider applications on a case by case basis.
FAQ's +
- When do the weekly events take place?
Weekly events are on Thursday nights between 5:30 - 7:30pm. You'll schedule your weekly meeting with your EiR at a time that suits you.
- Who is a Migrapreneur?
A migrapreneur is a migrant or refugee entrepreneur. To be eligible for the program, there must be at least one first-generation migrant or refugee co-founder (i.e. born overseas) in your team.
- Can I apply if I’m an international student?
Our program accepts international students/temporary work visas, but you have to ensure that you meet your visa requirements on working hours etc. Permanent Residence OR Australian Citizenship is NOT a requirement, but you should be allowed to legally work in Australia.
- What ideas or ventures will you accept?
We focus specifically on tech startups or businesses with a positive social/environmental impact
- Can I be a solo founder? Do I need to have a team?
We accept applications from solo founders as well as teams.
- What if English is not my first language?
We accept applications from people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. However, as our program is delivered in English, we can only accept applicants who can understand and communicate in English.
Cost of Attendance +
The Accelerate Program is completely FREE, as Catalysr Foundation is a not for profit organisation, and due to the generous support of our partners & mentors. We DO NOT take equity as a part of this program.
Is this the program for you?
Over the years we’ve met and worked with over many exceptional Migrapreneurs. Along the way we’ve learnt that the Accelerate Program is best suited to Founders that are:
Using their business to solve problems they’re passionate and/or obsessed about.
Adaptable, resourceful and open to new ideas.
Determined, resilient and tenacious.
Supportive and empathetic to others.
If some of these points speak to you, you can apply to join our next program in 2024.
Or if this sounds like someone you know, share it with them below!
Meet Prem & Misha from Natural Panaa
“It has been an incredible journey of learning and experience with Catalysr. They have a team of expert mentors and the pre-accelerator program is highly organised which not only benefits startups but also the individuals. As full time workers, we got the much needed support and push from Catalysr which helped our startup Natural Panaa with product portfolio development, customer validation and networking. We are proud to have been part of Catalysr’s 2018 Cohort and we highly recommend this program to all new startups who are looking for some direction and encourage them to apply”