Ind-Aus Catalyst Program
Your gateway to the Australian market
A La Trobe University program connecting Australian and Indian Deep Tech ecosystems.
Applications open February 2026.
We help accelerate market-ready technologies through venture creation and growth
Designed for high-potential Indian founders and startups aiming to validate products, access new markets, and build a global network.
Since 2017, The La Trobe Entrepreneurship Team has helped:
3,500+
Students to date
500+
Startups supported
100+
Industry partners
Why get involved?
The Ind-Aus Catalyst program is built on key pillars designed to provide comprehensive support for your startup's growth and expansion into the Australian market. You'll benefit from:
The program gave us access to the start-up ecosystem and networks in Australia. Discussing our ideas and getting feedback from diverse audiences gave us important critique about our start-up. It also gave us confidence that we are heading in the right direction.
Program overview
La Trobe’s structured, multi-stage program is designed to support your startup's journey from initial market exploration to successful market entry
Stage one: Market discovery
START DATE: MAY 2026 | DURATION: 12 WEEKS
PROGRAM PRICE
A$1,210 AUD (₹77,678 INR)
OVERVIEW
Focused on growth readiness, product/market fit, and customer discovery. This stage provides the foundational toolkit to support and accelerate your journey to Australian market entry.
- Take part in bootcamps, Masterclasses, and dedicated mentoring sessions (hybrid).
- Explore key topics like cross-border validation, market entry strategies, legal and finance fundamentals, and pitching to overseas audiences.
- Pitch to ecosystem leaders for a chance to progress to stage two: Market validation and win a Market Immersion prize valued up to A$7,000 AUD (approximately ₹445,307 INR).
Stage two: Market validation
START DATE: AUGUST 2026 | DURATION: 9 MONTHS
PROGRAM PRICE
Online only: A$1,560 AUD (₹100,173 INR)
Two-week in-country or Australian market Immersion: A$6,285 AUD (₹403,583 INR)
OVERVIEW
A semi-structured, personalised program focused on market feasibility, business model localisation, and network building.
- Keep on track with monthly progress check-ins with a dedicated La Trobe University coach and access to the Ignite Innovation virtual platform
- Take part in an Australian Market Immersion. Top performing participants undertake an intensive two-week visit to Australia to validate product in-market and connect with customers, channel partners, and investors. See program inclusions below.
- Get ready for launch with India Market Validator, which includes a market feasibility student project and market readiness coaching.
Your 2-week immersion fee includes:
International flights and transport
Return flights between Australia and India, as well as ground transport and transfers related to official program activities.
Accommodation and catering
Get accommodation throughout the duration of the immersion program in Australia, with catering during all official program activities.
Program facilitation and events
Connect with expert mentors, facilitators, and local guides throughout the program duration.
Business and innovation hub access and events
Access modern co-working spaces and site visits, and gain entry to all official Catalyst networking events.
Stage three: Market activation
START DATE: LAUNCHING IN 2027
OVERVIEW
An open-ended stage focused on market entry, localisation, and company building. Participants receive in-market support and access to business services.
Eagleworks Innovation Centre is La Trobe University’s innovation hub, established within the University to support research, industry engagement and programs such as Ind-Aus Catalyst.
Our partners
Ready to accelerate your growth?
We invite high-potential Indian bio-innovation startups to join the Ind-Aus Catalyst program and unlock access to the Australian market.