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La Trobe LaunchPad

Launching the Next Generation of Founders

LaunchPad is La Trobe University’s 12-week Pre-Accelerator Program for emerging and aspiring founders with technology-led startup ideas and the ambition to turn them into scalable ventures.

Over 12 dynamic weeks, LaunchPad offers:

  • A one‑day Kick Off event and Bootcamp to begin your LaunchPad journey. This will be followed by eight weeks of engaging, tailored learning and fun -  powered by  La Trobe University and Startmate. Focused on foundational sessions to help early-stage founders validate a problem, identify first customers, develop and test an MVP and kickstart their founder journey. This includes the opportunity to be selected to pitch at Startmate Pitch Night and La Trobe’s LaunchPad Lift-Off pitch and networking showcase.
  • Pitch Mastery Clinic, a mid‑program session designed to sharpen your pitch, elevate your storytelling, and refine your delivery in a supportive environment.
  • 4 weeks, delivered by La Trobe University, to support participants in maintaining momentum towards business model testing, company and team formation and initial venture launch.
  • An opportunity to pitch for $5,000 in prizes at LaunchPad Lift‑Off, La Trobe’s premier networking and pitch showcase.

LaunchPad is the program for high potential emerging and aspiring founders seeking to uplift their readiness and entrepreneurial capital: building their mindset, toolkit and connections, as well as help convert entrepreneurial intention into true venture creation.

Whether a La Trobe University student, alumni or an aspiring founder from our communities across Victoria with a bold idea, ready to take the leap - this is your chance to accelerate your startup journey.

Applications close on Friday 12 December 2025 for the March 2026 intake.

LaunchPad has two intakes per year, with programs running in 2026 and 2027.

LaunchPad is made possible with funding from LaunchVic, Victoria’s startup agency.

Apply Now

Program details

Session content and timing

Week 1

Startmate: Identifying a Problem & Customer Interviews (online)

Week 2

Startmate: Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Development (online)

Week 3

Startmate: Get your First Customers (online)

Week 4

Startmate: Think Bigger & Get Investment (online)

Week 5

Startmate: Make Progress & Build Your Pitch (online)

Week 6

Startmate: Nailing your Pitch (online)

Week 7

Startmate: Practice your Pitch (online)

Week 8

Startmate: Building a Successful Start Up (online)

Startmate Pitch Night

Pitching event for all participants (in-person, online)
Opportunity to apply to pitch

Program Outline

Applications for the March 2026 intake close on Friday 12 December 2025. Please review the application process and prerequisite requirements below.

  • Submit an Application

    Interested participants must submit an Application by Friday 12 December 2025.

    There is a video application as part of the application process. If you need support completing the application form, La Trobe Entrepreneurship is here to assist. Contact Nadia Foti, LaunchPad Program and Community Coordinator, n.foti@latrobe.edu.au n.foti@latrobe.edu.au.

  • Invite for interview

    Select applicants will be notified of the outcome of their LaunchPad Pre-Accelerator Program application by 10 February 2026 and invited to interview.

  • Successful applicants notified

    With only 50 places available per intake, LaunchPad is highly competitive. Successful applicants will be notified by 9 March 2026.

  • Onboarding and Program Payment

    On Tuesday 10 March 2026, you’ll complete your onboarding and secure your place in the program. The program fee is $249 (a heavily subsidised rate made possible through the support of LaunchVic).  For applicants located outside Victoria,  program cost is $1950.

  • Welcome Kick Off and Bootcamp

    Start your LaunchPad journey with a high-energy, full-day kick-off designed to set you up for success. You’ll dive into a hands-on mini-bootcamp, meet fellow founders, connect with your mentor, and join your accountability pod. It all begins on Monday 16 March 2026.

  • Program Commencement

    LaunchPad Programs officially commences on Monday 23 March 2026. You’ll be placed into either the Startmate Stream or the La Trobe Discovery Stream, depending on the level of support best suited to your needs.

  • Pitch Mastery Clinic

    A mid-program session where you’ll sharpen your pitch, develop your storytelling techniques, and practice in a supportive environment on Wednesday 22 April 2026.

  • LaunchPad Lift-Off (Pitch Day)

    A high-energy finale where you’ll connect with industry leaders, and selected founders will pitch for $5000 in prizes and the chance to amplify their brand on Thursday 25 June 2026.

Additional Information

  • Virtual squad meetings/founder mixers
  • Dedicated external squad leader from industry/scaled venture
  • Expert professional service clinics in Legal, IP, Finance and Company Formation
  • Access to co-working spaces and infrastructure
  • 1:1 mentoring
  • Access to Startmate Resource Library and La Trobe University Entrepreneurship ecosystem
  • Ignite Innovation Community platform and resources

  • Applications Open: 20 October 2025
  • Applications Close: 12 December 2025
  • Invite for Interview: 10 February 2026
  • Offer for Launchpad Program: 9 March 2026
  • Onboarding & Program Payment: 10 March 2026
  • Welcome Kick Off & Bootcamp: 16 March 2026
  • Program Start: 23 March 2026
  • Pitch Mastery Clinic: 22 April 2026
  • Program Ends: 19 June 2026
  • LaunchPad Lift-Off: Thursday 25 June 2026
  • Applications open for next cohort: Thursday 25 June 2026.

The LaunchPad Program is subsidised by LaunchVic, reducing the cost for Victorian participants to $249 (normally valued at $1,950). If you receive an offer, you must confirm your place and make payment by Tuesday 10 March 2026.

Applicants from outside Victoria are also eligible to apply; however, the program fee for non‑Victorian participants is $1,950 and not subsidised.

If you’d like to join the wait list for the August cohort, contact Nadia Foti, LaunchPad Program and Community Coordinator. Email: n.foti@latrobe.edu.au

The next cohort will comment on the 24 of August. Applications open Thursday 25 June 2026.

The program is delivered in a hybrid format, with most sessions held online. Key in-person events include the Kick Off Day, the mid-program pitch practice, and the final Pitch Day.

LaunchPad Pre-Accelerator Program is open to the general community, in addition to La Trobe University students and alumni based in Victoria.

Applicants from outside Victoria are eligible to apply; however, please note the program fee for non‑Victorian participants is $1,950 (not subsidised by LaunchVic).

Snapshot

For more than 50 years, La Trobe University has been transforming people and societies. The University works collaboratively across disciplines and with partners to develop fresh ways of thinking and conducting research – constantly seeking new ways to engage with and better serve its partners and communities, to build relationships and develop solutions for the issues facing society. Along with holding its top 300 ranking in Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2025, La Trobe earned the prestigious ‘Most Improved – Oceania Award’ in the QS World University Rankings 2025, rising 183 places over the past five years to claim its new spot at 217 of the 1,500 universities evaluated. Read more about La Trobe here.

Startmate was created in 2011 when there was latent creativity and potential in Australia, but no venture capital or accelerators to support it.

Niki Scevak (who would go on to found Blackbird Ventures) and a bunch of successful founders (including Mike and Scott from Atlassian) put their money where their mouths were. Everyone invested $10k into a micro-fund to invest in the next generation of early-stage founders, and started building a community of successful founders to support them. Nowadays, Startmate runs two Accelerator cohorts a year and have a world-class community of VCs, mentors and alumni who share our vision, all of whom invest their own time and money into each cohort. To date we have invested in 170+ startups.

Startmate challenge and support the ecosystem to think bigger. Their mission is to create a prosperous country as the world progresses.

LaunchVic is Victoria’s startup agency. Their role is to fuel the growth of Victoria’s startup ecosystem. They do this by building the confidence and capability of Victorians to create, scale and invest in startups. They were established by the Victorian Government in 2016.

LaunchVic is driving improvements in the startup investment landscape by developing the angel investor and early-stage venture capital markets in Victoria; supporting programs that build founder, investor, and talent capabilities; and continuing to drive awareness and advocate for startups.

More information

For any queries, please contact Nadia Foti, LaunchPad Program and Community Coordinator. Email: n.foti@latrobe.edu.au

Program Partners