Activator’s Pre-Accelerator program for founders of impact ventures
The startups that go through LaunchHUB are making a mark on the world. We work with startups who see a future that's environmentally sustainable, resilient to hardship and inclusive to all of society.
Founders accepted into LaunchHUB go through 12 weeks of intensive learning and graduate with ongoing support from the Activator community long after the program ends. Plus, LaunchHUB provides you with equity-free funding opportunities and access to RMIT's world-class technology and researchers.
The chance to pitch for up to $20k pre-seed funding. An equity-free boost for your business enhanced by mentorship from the Activator Capital Fund board.
Learn from start up experts, who will help you work towards product-market fit. During these sessions, you will develop an understanding of your customer, define and test your value proposition, learn how to pitch for partnerships and much more.
Your LaunchHUB experience includes an invitation to the Activator Connect co-working space, in the Melbourne CBD. Bounce ideas off fellow founders and recharge around the energy of likeminded humans – including the friendly Activator team!
Facilitated by coaches with lived entrepreneurial experience, our weekly accountability standups keep you on track to achieve your goals, with the added support and feedback of your fellow cohort.
Facilitated by coaches with lived entrepreneurial experience, our weekly accountability standups keep you on track to achieve your goals, with the added support and feedback of your fellow cohort.
LaunchHUB connects us to founders who are invested in making a positive social impact. While we welcome all types of ventures, RMIT is closely aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations.
The goals were developed based on the pillars of protecting our natural resources and climate for future generations, ensuring dignity, equality and prosperity, fostering peace and inclusive societies and promoting partnerships. So if your business fits the description, we highly recommend you start the application process.
Read about Project Flock founder and RMIT alumni Tim Ottaway’s journey through LaunchHUB. Challenges, breakthroughs and what’s next for the device that’s designed to save lives by helping people ‘be seen as human’ when they’re riding their bikes.
Yes, you can still apply, however you will need to be available and commit to attending in person all sessions and the final showcase in week 12. This is so you can get the most out of the program experience and engage with your mentors, experts and fellow cohort.
To be considered for the funding, your business needs to be located in Australia.
We’ll help you articulate your alignment and find impact – come ready with ideas and we’ll coach you through the rest.
Not mandatory but highly encouraged. It will give you the opportunity to connect with the Activator Community – Activator team, program alumni’s, other founders and ease of access to RMIT resources and network.
We are delivering the program face-to-face this year and monitor restrictions carefully throughout the program to ensure we operate in line with the university and government guidelines. Successful applicants will receive detailed information on the delivery mode and if there are any changes, we will let you know asap!
Yes you can still apply! You don’t need to be a registered business, this will happen sometime during the 12 weeks of the program.
The Showcase takes place in week 12 of your program, where you will present and pitch your startup in front of a panel of judges and the RMIT Activator community and networks. Following this, your startup may be invited to pitch for the Activator Capital Fund’s $20k equity free pre-seed funding.
Yes, of course you can still apply!
Feel free to email us at hello.activator@rmit.edu.au if you have any questions about the program or application process.
You will be notified via email of the progress of your application at least one week before Bootcamp starts.
Once applications close, you will be notified if you have progressed to our Bootcamp, which is an intensive one week where you’ll attend two-hour sessions Monday to Thursday and then submit a video and document pitch on Friday. It will be assessed by a panel group to determine whether you have made it into our LaunchHUB program.
Yes, you or one of your team members needs to attend all sessions in person.
You will be notified via email at least one week before the 12-week program begins.
We would require you or one of your team members to be able to attend all sessions and the Showcase. It is recommended that you assess your availability and commitment as you consider applying for this program.
We will not be providing any recordings of the sessions and some of the materials may be shared or hosted online but this will depend on the session facilitator.
No, RMIT Activator or RMIT does not take any equity or ownership in your company. We’re only here to help, share knowledge and resources.
RMIT Activator does not take any stake in your IP. The knowledge we share on this program is the University’s way of supporting the wider community with no strings attached. However, if you are a staff member and/or looking to translate your research, we strongly encourage you to contact IP & Commercialisation to settle things early.
We’re always on the lookout for the next generation of start up founders.
Make sure you're on the list to hear about the next round of LaunchHUB by filling out our Expression of Interest form:
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.
