Budding WA entrepreneurs are being encouraged to apply for the 2024 Curtin Ignition program and join the growing number of innovators who’ve turned their ideas into booming businesses.
The intensive one-week program provides early stage founders with the essential tools, industry connections and confidence to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and build a solid business foundation.
Curtin University Faculty of Business and Law Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Vanessa Chang said the program has gone from strength to strength over its 14 year history, helping scale-up hundreds of start-ups.
“From developing ideas to pitching to investors, Curtin Ignition gives emerging founders the opportunity to learn from the experts about how to achieve success in their business journey,” Professor Chang said.
“The program has a proven track record of fostering big and bright ideas, upskilling more than 700 entrepreneurs, through practical teaching sessions and expert clinics.”
Curtin Ignition’s success stories include a wide range of companies, such as Rhinohide – a removable paintwork protection system for four-wheel drive vehicles and CV Check – an employment screening platform.
Running from September 1 to 6, the program will feature Silicon Valley technology investor and start-up expert Marvin Liao who will share valuable insights with attendees.
“The journey of a founder is hard and requires courage and self-belief. It’s critical to be in the right rooms with people who you can ask for advice and learn from,” Mr Liao said.
“The best founders regularly ask for help and the Ignition program is a masterclass in helping start-ups navigate a challenging business landscape.”
RapidGraphite CEO and Curtin researcher Dr Jason Fogg received a Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer Ignition scholarship in 2023 and went on to participate in Curtin’s 2024 Accelerate program – a ten week course helping fast track businesses.
“At RapidGraphite we make battery-quality synthetic graphite from common carbon materials, our technology plays a pivotal role in securing Australia’s green energy future. Curtin Ignition was the first step in taking our research out of the lab and into the world,” Dr Fogg said.
“The program introduced us to the fundamentals of creating a start-up and connected us to invaluable mentors who have helped forge a clear path forward.”
More than 90 scholarship positions are available supported by City of Bayswater; City of Cockburn; City of Kalamunda; City of Subiaco; City of South Perth; City of Subiaco; City of Wanneroo; Curtin Business School; Curtin Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation; Curtin Trailblazer; CyberWest Hub; Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development; Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation New Industries Fund; Impact Seed; Landgate; Peel Development Commission; Startup News; Town of Victoria Park; Woodside and Wrays.
Business News and the Malka Foundation also sponsor Curtin Ignition.
Applications for this year’s Ignition program are open for six weeks from May 23 and scholarship submissions close at 5pm on July 5.
More information about Curtin Ignition, including available scholarships and how to register, can be found here.
