FounderHUB
Cultivate your founder mindset and entrepreneurial toolkit
Cultivate your founder mindset and entrepreneurial toolkit
FounderHUB is a 4-week part-time program and 3 month residency with the opportunity to extend for another 3 months. It is designed to equip you with the necessary tools, methods, and mindset to grow your startup ideas. FounderHUB is a chance for you to explore a startup idea, side hustle, university project or problem you are passionate about solving.
FounderHUB is a hands-on experience that features interactive workshops, self-paced online learning modules and check-ins with the FounderHUB team to help you gain an in-depth understanding of your so you can go on to build a viable startup.
People that complete FounderHUB will be invited apply for the exclusive FounderHUB residency; a dynamic co-working space, masterclasses run by our team of entrepreneurship experts, a library of resources, personalised coaching and mentoring that helps you put it all together. Combined with the residency, FounderHUB aims to build a foundation for budding entrepreneurs to develop their ideas, fine-tune their entrepreneurship skills and fast-track their progress.
FounderHUB is for aspiring founders who are also RMIT students, staff, and/ or alumni. Successful RMIT affiliated applicants will have:
A business idea or a problem you're passionate about solving
A curious mindset, willingness to ask questions and take on feedback
Eagerness to support your fellow cohort founders and give back to the community
A team that could be just you as a solo founder or co-founders
Applications Open: Monday 18 September
Applications Close: Sunday 22 October at 11:59pm
Program Dates:
*Please note that this program is delivered at RMIT Activator, Melbourne Victoria, Australia.
Get the framework you need to know your next steps. Each session is 2 hours long, once per week, over four weeks.
You will get access to our online learning hub to support your founder journey. You get sessions you can do in your own time because we understand that life gets busy!
We host online check-ins during the program to answer any burning questions, connect you to our networks and assist with your founder journey.
Workshop (2 hours): Frame your idea
Build your entrepreneurial foundation and gain a better understanding of your idea, the problem you are solving and the users it affects.
Online learning module (1 hour): Understand your market
Apply entrepreneurial research methods to discover more about your industry, market and customers to create new opportunities moving forward.
Online check-in (1 hour)
This is an online check in with Daniel, our expert facilitator to track your progress, answer questions and bounce ideas. We're here to support, so make sure you make the most of this time.
Workshop (2 hours): Design value proposition
Use strategic insights to generate and evaluate new ideas and features for your business, to maximise value to achieve desirability, feasibility, and viability.
Online learning module (1 hour): Prototyping and validate
Master the essential principles of prototyping for your business idea, and learn how to create a rapid, in-expensive prototypes to test, validate and refine your solution.
Online check-in (1 hour)
This is an online check in with Daniel, our expert facilitator to track your progress, answer questions and bounce ideas. We're here to support, so make sure you make the most of this time.
Workshop (2 hours): Build business model
Master lean business and create a winning business model by utilising the lean canvas to map key components such as metrics, competitive advantage, operations and finances.
Online learning module (1 hour): Sell your idea
Use the power of storytelling and pitching to captivate your audience and effectively communicate your idea and secure buy-in from your stakeholders and potential users.
Online check-in (1 hour)
This check in comes before you pitch your startup, use this time to test your pitch with your fellow cohort members and FounderHUB faciliator, Daniel.
Workshop (2 hours): Showcase
Showcase your innovative business idea to a panel of experts from RMIT Activator, who will offer valuable feedback, advice, and guidance to accelerate your business growth and success.
Online learning module (1 hour): Applying for your residency
Once you have completed the FounderHUB program, you will be invited to join the exclusive FounderHUB residency, which includes tailored mentoring and coaching, co-working space, additional resources and masterclasses.
Online check-in (1 hour)
Come to this final check in with any questions about the FounderHUB residency and how you can progress your idea.
Applying is the first step! The process contains a few questions to help us get to know you and understand why you re keen to join FounderHUB. Don t worry if you don t have a business idea just yet, it's all part of the process.
Yes! FounderHUB is perfect for founders with an early stage startup idea, side hustle or a university project you want to take further. If your idea is not too developed, you've come to the right place — FounderHUB will support you in shaping your idea into a viable business.
Unfortunately, FounderHUB is for founders with existing startup or business ideas. However, to get you ready to apply for FounderHUB you can watch How to Get and Evaluate Startup Ideas | Startup School to help create a new startup idea.
Once you have a rough idea, you can apply for the program again.
Please note: this program is for very early-stage ideas, we will help you refine and develop them in the program.
If you have any questions, contact us at hello.activator@rmit.edu.au
There will be a mix of in-person and online components to the FounderHUB program. There will be:
Workshops: every Tuesday, 5:30pm - 7:30pm (in person and hybrid)
Check-ins: every Thursday, 5:30pm - 6:30pm (online)
These sessions will also be accompanied by online learning modules for you to do in your own time.
You can apply as a solo founder or as a team, just indicate it on your application form.
Absolutely! You just need at least one of your members to be RMIT affiliated.
This program is free for RMIT affiliated participants, as we are committed to supporting budding entrepreneurs and your ambition to create a new venture.
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.
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.
