Supporting female entrepreneurs

The LIFT program is designed to support women and girls in STEM and entrepreneurship.

Apply now

What is LIFT?

iAccelerate is dedicated to fostering inclusion and empowering female entrepreneurs. In 2023, 52% of our companies are led by an active female founder.

In collaboration with our partners at the University of Wollongong, we are offering the LIFT program. This initiative is designed to encourage greater participation of girls and women in STEM and entrepreneurship.

Our unique program is open to all women, with a special emphasis on those from diverse communities, including Indigenous women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and women from refugee backgrounds, who are looking to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.

LEARN

In LEARN we will be working with current and pre-service teachers to build their knowledge and confidence for participation in STEM education using Makerspaces.

IGNITE

In IGNITE women from diverse backgrounds can learn about entrepreneurship and embark on their journey as an entrepreneur. You will join iAccelerate's pre accelerator program, Activate, and discover how to turn your idea into a viable business or community initiative.

FLOURISH

We're partnering with industry to offer women in STEM PhD candidates an industry placement, leadership training, the IGNITE program, community outreach and networking. See available internships.

TRANSFORM

An engaged community is crucial to transformation. We will run a series of events including outreach workshops, networking and community events (including school groups) and showcase leading women in STEM-E careers.

Who should apply for the IGNITE program?

This program equips you with the essential skills to guide your idea or startup through various stages of development. You’ll explore customer development, customer validation, prototyping and pitch training to build an entrepreneurial mindset. As a participant, you’ll gain access to the iAccelerate co-working space and community, 6-months membership to the UOW Makerspace with making workshops and mentoring sessions, culminating in the award of a micro-credential in Entrepreneurship.

Our mission is to ensure talented women have equal opportunities to excel in entrepreneurship. Our program is here to support a wide range of businesses and ideas, including:

Startup businesses looking to turn an idea into a thriving business
Not-for-profits and organisations looking to make a financially sustainable impact in their community
Existing businesses looking to revitalise their strategy to launch new products or service

If you’re not sure if this is the right opportunity for you, give us a call to discuss what we have available for you.

Apply Now

Testimonials

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. Now, equipped with this knowledge and experience, our team is prepared to take our prototype to the next level.

Yunjia Lei

iAccelerate provides a great environment, resources and networks and has shaped the business we have created for the better.

Leanne Connelly

CFO, Me3D

We decided to develop our business in the Illawarra region as we observed the potential of growth in the area, and we had taken notice of how iAccelerate was taking charge of the growth and the impact of innovation in the Illawarra. iAccelerate has also been fundamental in supporting my professional development as a female entrepreneur through their Activate program and ongoing mentorship.

Amanda Marks

Co-founder, Prisma Technologies