Curtin University has developed a pipeline of support for entrepreneurial individuals who want to transform disruptive ideas into global businesses. Over the past 20 years this pipeline has been the foundation of many new Western Australian products, services and businesses.
Our programs
Our team have refined a suite of programs to support innovators and their startup companies, and we continue to develop initiatives to inspire and guide Western Australia’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
To date, these programs have supported the formation of more than 440 businesses that have collectively raised $200 million in funding and sold products and services to the value of $215 million. With the growth in entrepreneurial activity in WA, we aim to increase these outcomes tenfold over the next decade.
Trailblazer Program
Supported by the Department of Education, the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer is program dedicated to building new research capabilities and driving commercialisation outcomes for the resources technology and critical minerals sector.
Curtinnovation Awards
The Curtinnovation Awards recognise and celebrate individuals and teams developing new innovations through research, study, or work at Curtin University that could significantly benefit society. Discover the 2024 Curtinnovation Award winners.
Curtin Ignition
Curtin Ignition is an intensive training program for aspiring entrepreneurs, academics and corporate innovators to trial and then prepare business ideas for the commercial environment. The program runs for one week in September with applications for Ignition 2025 opening early 2025.
Curtin Accelerate
Accelerate is a free, 12-week program that will grow your entrepreneurial capabilities and transform your innovative product or service into a thriving scalable business. Accelerate runs from February each year with applications open around October for the following year.
Curtin Kickstart
Kickstart offers early-stage funding support for pilot trialling, prototyping, commercial proof of concept, and bringing in experts to help progress your idea to market. Graduates of our Ignition and Accelerate program, as well as researchers at Curtin, are eligible to apply.
Other Entrepreneur programs
Curtin University’s committed to entrepreneurship extends beyond our programs. We also offer mentorship, startup business formation support, and access to a broad network of innovation ecosystem experts. Here are some of the ways we enable this.
Curtin Venture Mentors
Mentorship forms a critical component for the success of entrepreneurial and commercialisation pursuits. Expressions are being sought from industry experts passionate about supporting the next generation of exciting innovators.
West Tech Fest
Founded by Curtin University, West Tech Fest is Australia’s longest running tech festival, showcasing Western Australian entrepreneurs and startups to attract greater investment to the state. West Tech Fest returns 8 – 12 December 2025.
Support for Entrepreneurs
Here are just some of the services, facilities and people available at Curtin for emerging and established entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs Community
Curtin Entrepreneurs is a free, year-long membership available to Curtin students, staff, alumni, and graduates of our Entrepreneur programs. The community provides budding and established entrepreneurs and startup founders with the support, resources, and network they need to scale global businesses.
Entrepreneurs Hub
The Entrepreneurs Hub is the epicentre of entrepreneurship at Curtin University’s Bentley campus, available to students, staff and alumni needing access to free office space. Meeting rooms, free Wi-Fi, full kitchen facilities, coffee machine, plus access to members of our Entrepreneurship team make this the perfect place to build your business.
Entrepreneurs in Residence
Mentorship, guidance, and support are critical for emerging entrepreneurs and startup founders. Our Entrepreneurs in Residence provide expert advice on key areas of entrepreneur and business development with Office Hours sessions available to book with our Entrepreneur Experts throughout the year.
Curtin Venture Studio
The Curtin Venture Studio provides researchers with access to infrastructure and human resources to fast-track the building of ‘protoventures’, successful enterprises based on demand driven research. Discover how you can engage with this exciting new opportunity.
Commercialisation Team
The Commercialisation team at Curtin works with Curtin staff, students, researchers, investors and industry partners to take innovations, assess their commercial potential and find the best ways of bringing them to market.
For investors
Curtin University has been one of Western Australia’s leaders in technology commercialisation for more than 20 years.
From new devices for bone surgery and methods for assessing pain in individuals with dementia, to digital resources that empower us to address sustainability issues and climate change, the diversity of our startups reflect the core role of future-focused universities and honour the entrepreneurial mindset of researchers.
Curtin Invest: Deal
Angel investing presents an exciting opportunity for traditional investors to diversify their financial interests, but opportunities to learn how to become an Angel Investor are few and far between. Discover more about this exciting program.
Curtin Angel Syndicate
Are you interested in investing but don’t know where to start? You can now benefit from joining our angel syndicate. The syndicate is designed to provide funding for early-stage founders whilst giving Curtin Alumni and staff the opportunity to learn about angel investing and financially benefit from Curtin’s entrepreneur pipeline.
Contact
We welcome enquiries from investors and industry groups, and from Curtin community members with exceptional ideas for new products or services.
Email: entrepreneurship@curtin.edu.au
Danelle Cross
Director of Entrepreneurship
Sarah Kahle
Manager, Entrepreneurship Programs & Community
Anna Lee
Manager, Entrepreneurship Pathway Programs
Cameron Thorn
Director of Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Western Australia (YEA WA)
