Incubator

[Re]Launch Incubator

Victoria's premier program for innovators developing new Circular Tech ideas.

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Build your Circular Tech focused startup idea with RMIT Activator

The [Re]Launch Incubator will help you develop and validate your Circular Tech startup idea over four action packed weeks. The Incubator will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and mindsets to take your idea to action, and gain the support of a state-wide dedicated circular cohort.

With the support of our expert circular facilitators, and a set of on-demand mentors skilled in tech, circular economy, and venture creation, the [Re]Launch Incubator can help set your idea up for success.

Designed as an on-ramp to the [Re]Launch pre-accelerator, the Incubator will run primarily after-hours, with a mix of in-person and online sessions.

Is [Re]Launch Incubator right for me?

[Re]Launch Incubator is designed for aspiring innovators from anywhere in Victoria who have a Circular Tech focused startup idea. You don't have to be affiliated to RMIT to apply! Successful applicants will have:

A problem you think a circular economy strategy can solve

A forward-thinking and impactful business idea centered on circular technology

A growth mindset, and interest in using circular and technological solutions to solve problems

Be a solo founder, bring along a team, or be interested to find co-founders at our Founder Matching workshop

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Key dates and application form

Applications are now open

Applications close: Sunday 27 October 2024, 11:59pm

Program Dates

Week 1

In person workshop: Tuesday 12 November, 5:30 - 7:30pm

Online workshop: Thursday 14 November, 5:30 - 6:30pm

Week 2

In person workshop: Tuesday 19 November, 5:30 - 7:30pm

Online workshop: Thursday 21 November, 5:30 - 6:30pm

Week 3

In person workshop: Tuesday 26 November, 5:30 - 7:30pm

Online workshop: Thursday 28 November, 5:30 - 7pm

Week 4

In person workshop: Tuesday 3 December, 5:30 - 7:30pm

Pitch night in person: Thursday 5 December, 5:30 - 7:30pm

Please note: This program is delivered at RMIT Activator, 102 Victoria Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia. 

Program overview

Weekly in-person workshops

In these sessions, you will explore circular principles and business models, venture creation frameworks and tools, and tailored methods designed to help you on your Circular Tech founder journey. You will also meet and get to know the other founders in your cohort, and learn from each other.

Weekly online workshops

We know that life gets busy, so your second weekly session will run for 1 hour only (except for Week 3!), and will be hosted online so you can join anywhere. During this session will land the concepts to help refine your Circular Tech idea, and allow space for any questions or trouble-shooting with the group.

In person workshop (2 hours): From Circular Principles to Ideas

Build your entrepreneurial foundations, learn more about circular economy principles and strategies, gain a clear understanding of the problem you are solving, and clarify your idea and potential users.

Online workshop (1 hour): Circular Systems and Market Validation

Apply entrepreneurial research methods to learn more about the market for circular economy technology solutions, consider what Circular Tech customers want, and validate the opportunity space.

In person workshop (2 hours): Design Circular Impact Proposition

Harness strategic insights and circular frameworks and impact propositions to identify customer desired gains and existing pains, to develop a compelling Circular Tech value proposition. Learn how to define and communicate your impact against circular business models and principles.

Online workshop (1 hour): Circular User Journey

Using Circular Customer Personas and user journey mapping tools, land your customer insights, and design a focused Circular Tech solution based on the user experience to optimise your startup's success.

In person workshop (2 hours): Prototyping and Testing

Master the essential principles of prototyping for your business idea, and learn how to create a rapid, in-expensive prototype using circular materials to test, validate and refine your solution.

Online workshop (1.5 hours): Build your Circular Business model

Learn about the five core circular business models, to build your own Circular Tech business model, mapping key components such as target market, value proposition, channels, revenue streams, resource use types and potential positive or negative impact.

In person workshop (2 hours): Sell your Circular Vision

Use the power of storytelling and pitching to captivate your audience and effectively communicate your ideas to secure buy-in from stakeholders and potential users. Learn from relevant Circular Tech solutions on the market and their elevator pitches on how to craft a compelling circular pitch whilst avoiding greenwashing!

Online workshop (2 hours): Pitch Night

Showcase your pitch to a panel of experts from the [Re]Launch and RMIT Activator community, who will provide valuable feedback, advice, and guidance to accelerate your business growth and solution's success.

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[Re]Launch Incubator Residency

Upon finishing the [Re]Launch Incubator, you can continue to advance your progress through our 3-month Residency program. During the Residency, you'll benefit from ongoing support, targeted events such as HUBDays and webinars, valuable networking opportunities, and co-working space to help you stay on track and achieve your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

[Re]Launch Incubator is ideal for innovators with early-stage startup ideas, side projects, or university initiatives looking to advance. If your concept is still in the early stages, you’ve come to the right place. [Re]Launch Incubator will help you refine and develop your Circular Tech focused idea into a viable business.

[Re]Launch Incubator is specifically tailored for innovators who already have a startup or business idea. However, you have two alternative pathways:

  1. Reapply with a New Idea: Watch "How to Get and Evaluate Startup Ideas | Startup School" to help develop a new startup idea. Once you have a concept, you can reapply to the program, which will run again in the second half of 2025.
  2. Join an Existing Startup or Group: If you’re interested in joining an existing startup or team, please complete the application form indicating that you don’t have an idea yet. We will do our best to match you with an opportunity, and you can meet other innovators at the program's Opening Night on 19th September.

You can apply as a solo founder or as a team, just indicate it on your application form.

You do not need to be a current RMIT student, staff member, or alumni to join [Re]Launch Incubator. The program is open to anyone across Victoria with a promising circular technology focused startup idea, regardless of your background or affiliation. We welcome applications from interested innovators from regional Victoria, noting the requirement to attend the four 2 hour workshops in person, including the Pitch Night. 

Fantastic to hear that you are interested in joining a startup, you have come to the right place. Please fill out the application form above by indicating that you don't have a startup idea and want to join an existing group. From there the Activator team will connect you up with a group that aligns with your skills and interests, then we will leave it up to you and the group to decide if it is the right fit. 

RMIT Activator does not take any stake in your IP, the knowledge we share on this program is our way of supporting the wider community with no strings attached. LaunchVic, the [Re]Launch program funder, also does not take a stake in your IP. However, if you are a RMIT or other university staff member or student and/or looking to translate your research, we strongly encourage you to contact IP & Commercialisation.

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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 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

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.