About
iAccelerate is a unique business accelerator and incubator program run by the University of Wollongong (UOW). It’s a thriving community of like-minded entrepreneurs with vision, purpose and passion, growing their impact through exceptional education, mentoring and support among inspiring surrounds.
Our vision
Our vision is to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem that enables innovation and engagement for real and lasting impact.
What we stand for
Everything we do and the way in which we do it is shaped by the values that we collectively hold.
- Inclusive – All People, All Purpose
- Curiosity – Imagine, Experiment, Evolve
- Excellence – Optimize towards excellence
- Empowering – Empowered community
At iAccelerate, our mission is clear and ambitious: To foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem that enables innovation and engagement for real and lasting impact.
How it works – From intake to graduation
Test your idea
We run at least two intakes each year, supporting you through the whole journey, from an iAccelerate centre tour, attending our Test your Idea workshop and discussing your goals and idea in the lead up to your written application. The process is designed so we can get a sense of who you are, what you’re aiming to do and the impact your business could have on the regional economy and broader society. It also helps us determine if you’re right for iAccelerate and we’re the right fit for you.
Pre-Acceleration
If you make the cut, you’ll progress to our trailblazing three month pre-accelerator program – Activate where you’ll gain the skills to define and refine your idea and set it in motion. During this stage you will have access to the iAccelerate co-working space and all the networking and social events of our ongoing residents. At this point you’re also eligible to apply to the iAccelerate Seed Fund.
Incubation & Acceleration
After successful completion of Activate you can apply become and ongoing resident and you’ll find yourself in the incubation phase, where you’ll develop and grow against defined milestones, assessed and reviewed as you go to keep you on track. When you’re market ready, your business is well-prepared to enter the local economy. During this time you will also be support through further Education Programs – Accelerate and Advance.
Facilities
The right environment can make all the difference when you’re aiming for the sky. From the unique iAccelerate Centre to our incredible business and support services, we’ve really raised the bar for developing entrepreneurs with impact.
Designed with innovation and collaboration at its heart, the architecturally-stunning, purpose-built iAccelerate Centre features:
- capacity to support 280+ entrepreneurs, with flexible ‘plug and go’ spaces that facilitate accelerated business growth
- 39 offices, fully furnished for advanced companies
- 2 open plan co-working spaces with dedicated desks
- 10 meeting rooms, including 2 public meeting rooms
- 3 event spaces
- an outdoor terrace
- a rooftop terrace
- a dynamic community of UOW students, staff, researchers, faculties and business units
- high speed broadband via WiFi
- short- and longer-term residency options
- access to shared printer/copier/scanner facilities
- secure access via swipe card, and
- kitchen amenities and informal spaces.
“iAccelerate provides a great environment, resources and networks and has shaped the business we have created for the better.”
Location
Gorgeous beaches, easy access to parklands and cycleways iAccelerate enjoys a premium location in an award-winning business park, right at the epicentre of the vibrant community of world-class researchers and research facilities of Innovation Campus and UOW.
Walk to the nearby train station or grab the free bus to the Wollongong CBD, surrounding suburbs and the UOW main campus. There’s also an on-site gym, cafes, restaurants and childcare facilities.
The lifestyle enjoyed by those that live and work in the Illawarra are second to none.
The power of connection
iAccelerate is much more than just a place to plug in your laptop, though of course you can do that too. Here you can connect with a thriving community of likeminded and passionate entrepreneurs ready to share the journey with you, access committed mentors and world-class researchers, and tap into a network of investors.
The road to the top can be all the more challenging – and a lot less fun – when you’re going it alone. We nurture our close-knit community and team willing to support each other along the way, celebrating the wins and sharing insights on common challenges and new approaches that worked for them. It’s a virtuous circle multiplier effect: minimise your pains, magnify your successes and your learnings and fast-track your company’s growth alongside people who get it.
And that can make a decisive difference to how you get where you’re going, and how quickly you get there.
Support services
When you call iAccelerate home, you get access to a diversity of support services designed to grow your idea and your business faster, including:
- a formalised business acceleration program designed specifically for fast growth businesses
- networking events providing entrepreneurial leader engagement and connecting you to the vibrant local startup scene and community
- educational programs to power access to investors and networks
- inclusion in Demo Day activities, and
- access to next-generation talent through UOW’s student intern program.
“If you have an innovative idea but don’t quite have the experience and capability to bring it to fruition, iAccelerate is the ideal place to turbo-charge that idea into reality.”