The Circular Economy Incubator Series

ACU’s business incubator, Co-Lab, is delighted to announce details of its 2023 Circular Economy Incubator Series, designed for people and businesses with principles and practices of circular economics at the forefront of everyday operations.

What is a circular economy? The circular economy is about changing the way we produce, assemble, sell and use products to minimise waste and reduce our environmental impact.

The ACU Circular Economy Incubator Series is an eight-week, in-depth learning program designed to educate future changemakers about the practical components of the circular economy.

Industry experts will walk you through the key components of building a circular economy-focused business. Attendees will then be encouraged to put their newly learned skills to work by crafting a video pitch for the chance to win the inaugural Circular Economy Award prize of $10,000 to kickstart their project.

The series will be delivered in partnership with one of Co-Lab’s founding members StartSomeGood, sector leaders in social enterprise education, innovative partnerships and cause-driven crowdfunding.

From Wednesday 10 May, the online workshop series runs every week between 4-6pm.

The national workshops are free to attend, open to anyone and you’re encouraged to share details with both colleagues, family networks and students.

Workshop topics include:

• Introduction to the Circular Economy
• The change you seek
• Ideation for impact
• Designing your business
• Marketing essentials
• Crafting your story and pitch
• Sow me the money
• The road is long.

$10,000 Circular Economy Award

The Circular Economy Award recognises an individual or team who has attended three or more Incubator Series workshops, developed a novel idea that addresses and relates to the circular economy, and is at any stage of development, from initial idea to market ready. Your idea may be for a business that sells a physical product or one that offers a service.

The winning video pitch entry receives the grand prizes:

• $10,000 prize money
• a 6-month mentorship from a member of ACU’s executive (as five one-hour sessions)
• promotion of their winning business/project through the ACU Co-Lab community ecosystem.

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

Entry for the award closes at 11.59pm AEST Sunday 2 July. Entrants must attend three or more workshops to be eligible to lodge a pitch entry into the Circular Economy Award.

More information

We encourage all student-facing staff to share details of the Incubator Series and Award. If you would like any further information or would like a member of Co-Lab to present this opportunity to your students, please contact Ms Tayana Grundy.