You don’t need a polished startup or a complete business plan to get started in entrepreneurship. La Trobe LaunchPad is a 12‑week pre‑accelerator that meets you where you are – whether you’re exploring an early idea, refining something you’ve already begun, or keen to turn a tech‑led concept into something real.
Backed by LaunchVic and delivered by La Trobe University in partnership with Startmate, LaunchPad helps you take your first real steps into the startup world. The program is built with two entry streams that support different stages of the founder journey, before bringing everyone together as one cohort.
Two streams, one cohort
- Stream One: Startmate – for founders with more established startup ideas ready to accelerate
- Stream Two: La Trobe Discovery – for early‑stage founders ready to refine and validate an idea
You can indicate your preferred stream when you apply, but the program team will place you where you’ll get the most value. No matter your stream, you’ll meet weekly for accountability sessions and come together in the final four weeks to sharpen your pitch and prepare for presentations.
Over 12 weeks, you’ll learn how to:
- Validate a real problem worth solving
- Build and test a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
- Talk to early customers and users
- Develop the confidence and core skills to launch a venture
You’ll also receive hands‑on mentoring, pitch coaching and access to masterclasses covering venture foundations, teams and business models. Midway through the program, you’ll take part in a Pitch Mastery Clinic, before pitching at the LaunchPad Lift‑Off showcase, where $5,000 in prizes is up for grabs.
Successfully completing LaunchPad also earns you 15 microcredential credit points towards La Trobe University’s Global MBA.
Important information
Applications close: Sunday 26 July at 11.59pm
Only 50 places available. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis until the submission deadline – so don’t wait. Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 3 August.
The application includes a short video submission and some applicants may be invited to interview. If you need help with your application, support is available.
Cost: Thanks to LaunchVic support, the program fee for Victorian participants (including La Trobe students) is $449 (standard value $2,295).
Location: The program is delivered in a hybrid format. Most sessions are held online, with key in-person events.
Check eligibility, find out more and apply via the La Trobe LaunchPad website.