Budding Adelaide entrepreneurs are invited to apply for the next intake of start-up pre-accelerator Venture Dorm by MEGA, jointly run by Flinders University New Venture Institute and Majoran co-working space, starting on Tuesday 4 August.
Exactly what kind of entrepreneur is Venture Dorm by MEGA looking for? One who would like to create a business for global markets using software, the web and mobile platforms.
Whip out that great app idea you’ve been sitting on!
The program aims to help committed individuals and teams to develop a winning business concept through an intensive 12-week mentoring program.
The project culminates with a Pitch Day attended and judged by industry experts, investors and the general public. This year, mentors’ choice will get the opportunity to pitch at one of the top start-up events in the country, SouthStart.
You will have the opportunity to win from the more than $15,000 worth of cash and prizes, including a trip to the US to take your start-up to SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Workspace is provided at Majoran during the course of the program.
What is the motivation behind this program?
Majoran Managing Director Aainaa Abrahman (pictured) remarked that they are aiming to equip people with the right toolset to meet the oncoming changes of a challenging work environment.
“It creates a platform open to collaboration and encourages applicants of all kinds including individuals looking to use their skill sets to help create new products, to an employer eager to learn startup techniques to fast track development,” she said.
“When we spoke to people who went through both programs, we decided that Adelaide needs to scale the early stage pre-acceleration activity and provide a consistent point of engagement for everyone in the start-up community wishing to help new founders get going, reduce mentor duplication and burnout,” Aainaa told Anthill about what drove them to start the program.
What does Venture Dorm by MEGA involve?
Each team is assigned an experienced business mentor and industry presenters and mentors share their leading edge expertise to provide a hands-on workshop program that covers:
- Market research and analysis
- Idea generation and evaluation of ideas for products and services
- Testing the technical and business feasibility of those ideas
- Producing a business plan or business proposal
- Pitching to potential investors
Voxon founder Will Tamblyn is one of the program’s alumni. “We signed up to Venture Dorm to work on our business model, to test our market theories and to form new connections,” he said.
“We had no idea how many doors it would open! Venture Dorm is much more than a collection of classes – it opens up an entire network of amazing mentors and contacts.”
Venture Dorm started as a MEGA for Adelaide’s southern suburbs three years ago. Businesses they have helped launch so far include oddgames, Voxiebox, PT BIZ and Floragram.
Applications are now open and close on Friday, 31 July.
Keep in mind though that it is limited to only 40 places per intake!
