The iAccelerate Innovation Network represents a diverse group of business accelerators and incubators enhancing regional, national and international collaboration to promote and support entrepreneurs and their startups.

HATCH: Taronga Accelerator Program is on a mission to drive innovative solutions to some of the world’s most challenging conservation problems. The program aims to inspire, support and launch innovative ideas and actions by the community that address environmental or conservation challenges, in support of Taronga’s vision of a shared future for wildlife and people. HATCH is open to emerging social entrepreneurs and non-profit founders across Australia seeking guidance to hatch their brilliant ideas for the planet.

The reciprocal arrangement between HATCH and iAccelerate includes introductions to help entrepreneurs access new markets, expertise, and capital. Along with the opportunity for the exploration of further collaboration opportunities.

“We are excited to welcome HATCH into the expanding iAccelerate Innovation Network. iAccelerate is committed to ensuring all entrepreneurs are provided with meaningful pathways to facilitate collaboration, investment and market entry, particularly startups that are seeking to solve social and environmental challenges facing their communities” said Omar Khalifa, CEO iAccelerate.

“Together with the HATCH: Taronga Accelerator Program, we look forward to strengthening innovation ties in our national and international network to address pressing conservation issues”, he added.

Collaboration between partners in the network includes sharing case studies, best practices and expertise to overcome challenges or create new opportunities. Partners can also choose to engage in further collaboration or provide market access opportunities for their startups across the entire network.

“The HATCH team are excited to become a part of the Innovation Network to collaborate with iAccelerate and like-minded partners. Our focus is to drive innovative solutions to support and protect the natural world, and we strongly believe that cooperation across sectors and with others who are committed to addressing societal issues through innovation is a key element to achieving the best possible outcomes” – Danielle Fryday, HATCH Program Manager.

HATCH is the seventh Australian member to join the iAccelerate Innovation Network together with national members Bega Valley Innovation Hub in Bega; Yarpa, NSW Indigenous Business and Employment Hub; Collab Highlands / The Mill in Bowral; Upstairs in Bathurst; Grounded Space in Parramatta; and Desert Knowledge Australia in Alice Springs.

In addition, the iAccelerate Innovation Network includes the following international members: Berlin International University of Applied Sciences in Berlin; Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI) at Lingnan University in Hong Kong; MIT Enterprise Forum CEE in Warsaw; Global Venture Alliance in Moscow and San Francisco; Startup Lisboa in Portugal; Da Nang Entrepreneurship Support in Vietnam; Hatch in Sri Lanka; the National Science and Technology Park in Pakistan; and the University of East London’s Knowledge Dock Business Centre in the UK.

About the iAccelerate Innovation Network

To better support innovation and startups, iAccelerate is committed to growing the innovation ecosystem – in our region, across the nation and globally. The iAccelerate Innovation Network, brings together entrepreneurship hubs from around Australia and worldwide to forge powerful long-term collaboration opportunities. By sharing resources – education materials, industry expertise, speakers, mentors, investors, and more – we will drive innovation and ensure that more entrepreneurs and startups succeed. Read more…

Note to media: Please contact us for any interview opportunities. iAccelerate’s address is iAccelerate Centre (Building 239), Innovation Campus, Squires Way, North Wollongong NSW 2500 Australia. Media contact: Chris Petersilge, [email protected]