Expressions of Interest

Scholarships for entrepreneurs at iAccelerate

At iAccelerate, we are dedicated to fostering inclusivity, curiosity, excellence, and empowerment within the start-up ecosystem. As a leading innovation hub in NSW, we understand the importance of providing opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. We have several scholarships available to make our programs accessible and provide opportunities to those eager to invent, share and change the world. When you apply to join iAccelerate you can nominate to be considered for one of the following scholarships listed below. For more information, please contact us.

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Scholarships for accelerating growth

In 2026 we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the opening of the iAccelerate Centre. To acknowledge this important milestone in the Illawarra's innovation ecosystem we are offering up to three $10,000 residency scholarships.

To be eligible you must have completed our Activate program anytime after 1 January 2025 and demonstrate you are in market with your business via your final pitch.

The residency scholarship will also include a fee free place in the iAccelerate program, meaning you have full access to our education program, mentors and networks as well as a dedicated desk in our coworking space for you and your team.

Recipients can be UOW student founders, UOW researchers or community members with no prior link to UOW.

Scholarships for UOW graduates

iAccelerate is seeking recent UOW graduates with a business idea, a desire to learn entrepreneurial skills and a passion for practical application for the 2026 Activate program.

Up to five scholarships are available exclusively to UOW alumni. Companies need a minimum of two founders, one of which has graduated from a UOW degree between 2024 - 2025. Diversity in founder composition will be taken into consideration.

From March 2026, the three-month pre-accelerator will equip you with mentorship, resources and tools for your entrepreneurial journey.

Scholarships for female entrepreneurs

This scholarship will support women from diverse communities and backgrounds to participate in iAccelerate’s pre-accelerator program, Activate. Activate offers participants entrepreneurial skills that can be applied to their business or community initiative.

Participants will benefit from the education program as well as the mentoring, community and first class facilities iAccelerate has to offer.

Amplify your impact with iAccelerate scholarships

At iAccelerate, we believe in providing inclusive opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs like you.

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Scholarship impact

Jonny Mitrevski

Scalapay

By collaborating with iAccelerate, a program that embodies the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, we aim to provide the necessary resources and opportunities for promising fintech startups to thrive. We firmly believe that Wollongong has the potential to become a vibrant centre for technological advancements.

Yunjia Lei

I am incredibly grateful to have been awarded a scholarship by iAccelerate. This course has been very helpful in enhancing my understanding of determining market fit, evaluating our idea, validating it with potential customers, and making necessary pivots to reach the point of developing a pitch.

Raymond Timbery

Founder, Gadhungal Marring

"When I signed up for iAccelerate, my company was already in good shape. Still, I got a confirmation that now, I’m doing it right. I also learned terminology and expanded my knowledge, for which I am grateful."

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