Flinders University has announced the launch of an innovative new course aimed at university graduates and postgraduates seeking to turn their big ideas into viable startups.
The Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Growth, starting in 2024, is designed to impart critical insights into launching a new venture or bringing a ‘disruptive idea’ or ‘passion project’ to life within a year.
The diploma is unique to South Australia and is integrated with the Federal Government’s ‘Startup Year,’ offering participants immediate access to federal assistance programs with the educational initiative opening the door for the next wave of innovators to make 2024 a landmark year for startup launches.
‘This is not a standard student experience—participants will fully immerse into the world of ideas and exploration’, said Pro Vice-Chancellor Curriculum Impact Professor Chris Brebner. ‘They will join a community of like-minded thinkers who are looking to launch, commercialise, or explore an innovative idea in any field.’
The program promises to create a dynamic community of aspiring entrepreneurs, with the course set to cover a broad range of entrepreneurial aspects, from commercialising ideas and solving community challenges to creating future job opportunities.
Flinders University alumnus Quentin Roberts, founder of the energy transformation company EfficientSee, emphasised the importance of the collaborative environment offered at Tonsley Innovation District, which is a part of the program’s ecosystem.
‘When you are immersed in an innovation precinct at Tonsley, with the support of academics, industry and government, you experience the power of collaboration, which is vital for startup success’, Roberts remarked, highlighting the palpable culture of innovation at Tonsley.
Vimal Odedra, a Flinders MBA student and entrepreneur of the coffee brand Lliven, praised the program, saying, ‘The program aligns perfectly with my aspirations to nurture Lliven into a successful digital enterprise.’
The course not only offers academic insight but also includes practical experiences such as workshops, mentorship from industry leaders, and networking opportunities within the South Australian startup ecosystem.
It begins with an intensive pre-accelerator program, progresses through an incubator stage with resident mentors and entrepreneurs, and culminates in an accelerator program designed to scale up business ventures.
The significance of such startup-focused education is underscored by the growth of Adelaide’s startup ecosystem, which saw a 347 per cent increase in value from 2020 to 2023, according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report by Startup Genome.
In support of this initiative, the Australian Government’s Department of Education has highlighted the importance of fostering entrepreneurship to enhance productivity and adaptability in the future workforce.
The government has also established the STARTUP-HELP loan program under HELP, making the full course fee of the Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Growth eligible for this financial support.
Flinders University is hosting online information sessions for prospective students and encourages expressions of interest from those looking to make a significant entrepreneurial leap in the coming year via the course page.
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