La Trobe x Coles Group Industry Challenge
Rise to the challenge! Innovate and collaborate at Coles Group HQ
In collaboration with industry partner Coles Group, this two-day hackathon-style event will provide you with the opportunity to learn and apply essential entrepreneurial thinking and skills to tackle a business challenge presented by one of Australia's top retailers.
Working in teams, you will develop prototypes for innovative solutions that aim to boost Coles' efforts in preventing slips, trips, and falls within supermarkets.
Following this, you will pitch your most compelling idea to a judging panel of senior executives from Coles and win prize money. The Judges' Choice awards each team member $200, and the People's Choice awards each team member $100.
Program details
- Date: Thursday 17 October (Day 1) and Friday 18 October 2024 (Day 2)
- Time: 9.30 to 5pm, both days
- Location:
Day 1 – Coles Head Office
800 Toorak Rd, Hawthorn East
Day 2 – Digital Innovation Hub
Level 2, Jenny Graves Building, La Trobe University Melbourne Campus (Map Ref: 8G)
- Catering provided.
Applications close Sunday 6 October at 5pm.
To qualify, you must not have taken part in a previous 2024 Challenge, including the Medibank Challenge, Workplace Experience Challenge, or Service Now x Deloitte Appathon.
A message from Coles Group
Why apply?
The La Trobe x Coles Group Industry Challenge is the perfect opportunity to learn from and network with experienced industry professionals and like-minded students in a fun, supportive and collaborative environment.
The event is intended to increase your employability skills, entrepreneurial mindset and put learnings into practice. While student attendees do not receive academic credit, they will receive recognition toward their Career Ready Advantage Award.
You will learn to:
- Develop and prototype solutions to a real-world industry challenge
- Apply entrepreneurial thinking toward your career or your own startup idea
- Apply an entrepreneurial angle to your CV and job interviews
- Enhance your professional network
- Utilise best practice pitching and public speaking techniques.
Free, two-day in-person event at Coles Group HQ.
Must be a La Trobe University student from any campus, discipline or level of study, or an alumni (up to 3 years out).
To qualify, you must not have taken part in a previous 2024 Challenge, including the Medibank Challenge, Workplace Experience Challenge, or Service Now x Deloitte Appathon.
- Business model development
- Design thinking
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Ideation
- Pitching
- Prototyping
- Public speaking
- Storytelling
- Team building.
Why Coles Group?
Coles is one of Australia’s leading retailers, with an extensive footprint of over 1,800 retail outlets nationally. We employ more than 120,000 team members, engage with more than 8,000 suppliers, and we welcome millions of customers through our store network and digital platforms every week. This success was not a coincidence; it stemmed from a well-defined shared vision, purpose, and strategy, along with a strong focus on cultivating a culture that prioritises consistent behaviours. This environment is ideal for La Trobe University students and alumni who are eager to refine their skills and prepare for their careers with confidence.
Our vision is to become the most trusted retailer in Australia and grow long-term shareholder value.
Our purpose is to help Australians eat and live better every day.
Contact us
For more information, reach out to the Innovation & Entrepreneurship team at accelerator@latrobe.edu.au
Can't make it? To stay up to date with future La Trobe entrepreneurship activities and opportunities, submit a general Expression of Interest.