Apply now for the Co-Lab Disability Incubator Series

ACU Co-Lab is delighted to launch a new learning program for Semester 2, The Disability Incubator Series. The Co-Lab team is looking for people and businesses who can provide innovative solutions for the disability sector.

Grounded in the university’s mission and commitment to the principles of dignity and the common good, this search offers participants the opportunity to enter a pitch competition for a share in $16,000 of cash prizes, while learning from industry experts about how to upskill for and/or get started in the disability sector.

About The Disability Incubator Series

Over the next five years, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will provide more than $22 billion in funding to an estimated 500,000 Australians who were either born with or have acquired a permanent and significant disability.

The NDIS is designed to support eligible people with a disability to gain more time with family and friends, achieve greater independence, develop new skills, explore a greater range of employment opportunities, and secure improved quality of life. It also provides a stimulus for a wide range of new and innovative products and services.

The Disability Incubator Series is an eight-week in-depth learning program designed to educate future change makers about the practical components of establishing or growing a business within the disability sector.

In partnership with Verge Collaborative, industry experts will walk you through the key components of building a disability-focused business.

The series will run every Wednesday between 4pm–6pm AEDT and will commence on Wednesday 5 October. We encourage you to share details with colleagues, networks and students.

The workshops are open to everyone.

Workshop topics include: How to get started, designing your business, understanding your customers, how NDIS funding works, creative value propositions, customer connections and pitching, building in financial sustainability and growing your business with dignity.

Win a share of $16,000 in the Disability Incubator Awards

Attend three or more workshops and you will be eligible to enter the Disability Incubator Awards for a chance to win a share of $16,000 in prize money.

The winning entry will receive:

• $10,000 prize
• six months of mentoring by a member of ACU’s executive staff (five one-hour sessions)
• access to ACU student groups for project support
• promotion of winning business/project through ACU Co-Lab’s community ecosystem.

Second prize: $5,000

An additional ACU student prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the best student entry that does not win the grand prize.

Entries close at 11.59pm on Sunday 27 November 2022.

We encourage all student-facing staff to share details of the program and the prizes.

If you would like any further information or would like a member of Co-Lab to present this opportunity to your students, please contact Tayana Grundy, tayana.grundy@acu.edu.au.

Find out more

Source: NDIS (ndis.gov.au)