Budding entrepreneurs and innovators have just over a week left to apply to participate in a Winter Germinate program at ilab, a technology business accelerator and incubator based at The University of Queensland.
Initiated and funded by the Queensland Government, ilab supports entrepreneurial and early stage, high-tech companies through the first few years of development.
The Germinate program provides up to $20,000 funding and coaching to develop a product or business in a focused three-month timeframe.
ilab Program Director Leigh Angus said the Winter Germinate Program offered start-up founders individual mentoring and training from successful entrepreneurs to help build a business idea to reality quickly and efficiently.
“The program is a unique opportunity to help founders boost their business acumen and extend their industry networks,” she said.
“We have ensured that the program is flexible for students and developed in a way that considers varying study loads, so students can pursue their idea during holidays and spare time.”
Since opening in 2000, ilab has incubated over 100 start-up companies and helped them raise over $70 million in grants and investment to fund their growth, while generating nearly 400 technology jobs. ilab become an operational unit of UniQuest, UQ’s main commercialisation company, last year.
Applications for the Winter Germinate Program close on April 14, 2013 and the program commences with a Business Building Bootcamp from April 29 – May 2 for shortlisted applicants.
“During the Bootcamp, student entrepreneurs will be provided with the opportunity to workshop their idea, and present to a number of technical and business mentors as well as a selection panel for acceptance into the Winter Germinate Program,” Ms Angus said.
Applications are invited from candidates in Queensland, other Australian states and overseas who can spend three months elaborating and validating their technology business ideas at the ilab incubator in Brisbane.
All UQ students with a business or product idea are invited to apply – www.ilab.com.au. Applications close on Sunday, April 14. The program begins on Monday, May 20.
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