Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP)

Weren't quite ready for the Accelerator (which closed last night btw)? Well, our Velocity pre-accelerator program is ready and waiting for you! If you’re still shaping your idea and figuring out what’s next, Velocity is where you need to be. Over 12 action-packed weeks, you’ll: ✅ Pressure test your idea with real-world insights ✅ Find clarity on product-market fit (or at least product-solution fit!) ✅ Surround yourself with the right people (fellow founders, mentors and experts) This semester, we’re backing #UniMelb-affiliated founders, with a few spots open for social impact, climate and external founders. Applications close Sunday 2 March. Apply now: https://bit.ly/4dlp8KQ -- Not sure if MAP Velocity is the right fit or have some burning questions? Book an office hours chat with Katrina Gaskin, our MAP Velocity Program Manager here: https://bit.ly/3WrGmPK #preaccelerator

Think you need a fully built product to join Velocity? Nahhh. Think you need to quit your job? Not at all. Think you need all the answers? Absolutely not. Velocity is made for early-stage founders, whether you're validating an idea, building an MVP or fine-tuning your business model. If you’re ready to test, learn and level up your startup, this is your shot. Velocity workshops run on Thursday evenings from 5.30pm-8.30pm. Applications close tonight, Sunday 2 March at 11.59pm. Apply now: https://bit.ly/4dlp8KQ

Come chat with Kat as she walks you through the three key takeaways from Velocity, our pre-accelerator program built for early-stage founders. It's all about giving you the tools and frameworks to level up, building a supportive community and helping you walk away with the confidence to take on whatever comes next. Applications close this Sunday 2 March so don’t miss out. Ready to dive in? Hit up Katrina Gaskin with any burning questions or jump straight to the application here: https://bit.ly/4dlp8KQ -- Learn more on our website: https://bit.ly/3F0VP4o #preaccelerator #startupjourney

Placing a tiny tube into a newborn’s veins is a high-stakes procedure. Right now, doctors rely on guesswork and X-rays to get it right. Navi Medical Technologies has changed that. Their device, Neonav®, acts like a GPS by helping doctors place these tubes quickly and accurately, reducing risks for critically ill babies. Now, they’ve hit a major milestone: FDA Class II 510(k) clearance. This means Neonav® meets strict safety and effectiveness standards and can now be rolled out into U.S. hospitals. A proud moment for this Velocity alum and a big step forward for neonatal care. Congratulations to the Navi team on this well-earned success. Alexander Newton, Shing Yue Sheung, Mubin Yousuf, Christiane Theda, Zorana Mayooran, PhD, Rosina Velona, Shehan Wisidagama, Katerina Barons, Wei Sue, Brad Bergmann, Di (Leo) Liu Listen to their announcement below ⬇️ -- Interested in our Velocity pre-accelerator program?  Learn more: https://bit.ly/3QkG7n5 Apply now: https://bit.ly/4dlp8KQ Applications close Sunday 2 March

A New Contender for "Best Job in Entrepreneurship" When I posted a note on late 2024 to let people know that I was stepping down from my job as the Executive Director of the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre (MEC) at the University of Melbourne, I said that I was lucky enough to have "one of the best jobs in entrepreneurship." I have now found a better job than mine - details below! When MEC was created in 2018, we ran two wonderful core programs (Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP) (including Velocity) and Translating Research at Melbourne (TRAM) Total participants in these programs has increased tenfold and we have added some new programs with Melbourne InnovatEd and the new PhD Innovators Program - and the number of participants in MEC programs has increased tenfold in that time In addition to aiming for another tenfold increase in program participants over the next 5 years, the 'new' MEC includes Venture Labs, Venture Studios, a Social Ventures Exchange, and will offer an extensive range of entrepreneurial experiences to thousands of students - and the fact that the University now has its own venture funds certainly doesn't hurt! My one slightly philosophical note is that when you reach my age, you do look back at your career and think about the times you had a chance to make a real difference. This will be one of those times for someone!! Ken Jefferd Mark Cassidy Matthew Belleghem Translating Research at Melbourne (TRAM) Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP) Enterprising Melbourne

Whether you're a solo founder like Courtney Boag, Founder of Anthroprospective, or part of an early-stage startup team, nothing keeps you accountable like being surrounded by a community of like-minded entrepreneurs.   Our Velocity pre-accelerator gives you the foundational startup knowledge you need, but its real value lies in the connections you build, the mentors who guide you and the environment that pushes you forward.   Designed to fit around your schedule, Velocity runs for 12 weeks outside of standard work hours and is your perfect entry point into the world of entrepreneurship here at MAP.   Keen to learn more? Head to our website to book an office hours chat: https://bit.ly/3QkG7n5   Or, jump straight into the application form now: https://bit.ly/4dlp8KQ -- #preaccelerator #community

$2.5 million raised by Minikai, MAP 2024 alum! But every big idea starts somewhere... Co-Founders Keoki Alexander-Chang and Kyel Shera-Jones saw firsthand how overwhelming government support systems can be, with complex admin and paperwork creating barriers to essential services. They built Minikai to change that, using AI to cut through the red tape and make support more accessible for those who need it most. Well done on all your efforts team. 👏 Read more about their raise on The Australian here: https://bit.ly/40XHgWz -- Enterprising Melbourne | Faculty of Science | University of Melbourne | Melbourne Connect

Always a buzz chatting with aspiring founders – especially when we get to do it alongside our friends at Startmate! 😎 Last week’s panel event brought together three founders who’ve been through either our Velocity pre-accelerator or Startmate’s Launch Club, sharing the real and raw of what it’s like to take the leap. One key takeaway? "You can't be what you can't see." Lyv spoke about the power of representation and how seeing people who’ve been in your shoes makes the journey feel possible. Whether it's navigating early challenges, finding product-market fit or just believing you belong in the room, surrounding yourself with others on the same path is everything. If you're looking for that community and a structured way to test or further refine your idea, Velocity applications are open now. Jump in: https://bit.ly/4dlp8KQ --  Olyvia Munro Dana McDonald Tom van der Linden Katrina Gaskin Louisa Lin

I’m excited to announce that Minikai has raised a $2.5M seed round led by Tidal Ventures with support from Antler and Mangosteen Venture Studio. I continue to be humbled meeting dedicated frontline carers “at the coalface” in Disability and Aged Care as well as the amount of documentation and paperwork required to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect. Less than a year old, we aren’t just talking about how AI agents are going to change the world, we’re leading a “mini” revolution to improve quality and care for those that need it most. I’m truly grateful to be working with such values driven people and supported by those that see our vision of a better future for all. Let’s leave no one behind.

It’s crazy to think that this time last year, I applied for MAP purely for the $20K equity-free funding. Little did I know that my imagination would be stretched beyond what is possible as I was challenged to think differently. More importantly, there is nothing like working with dedicated professionals who are solely focused on making you better firstly, so that you are in a great position to thrive as a business.     For anyone who doesn’t know, the Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP) is one of Australia’s leading startup accelerators, run by the University of Melbourne. It’s a five-month intensive program that gives founders $20K in equity-free funding, access to world-class mentors and a community of high-performing entrepreneurs.   MAP gave me the confidence that I can create a business that will be impactful. If you’re serious about scaling your startup, MAP is currently recruiting for their next cohort of 11 high-performing startups. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/egJwfHnR