Pre-flight is a 2-day full-time startup pre-accelerator experience for people who are curious about entrepreneurship and creating their own startup company or also interested in seeing how they could develop entrepreneurial skills that can be applied to working inside an existing business as an intrapreneur.

Does any of this resonate with you?

You have an idea or many ideas but you're not sure where to start...
You want a taste of what our Accelerator Programs are like before applying...
You're curious about what being an entrepreneur means...

If so, then 'Pre-flight' might be the right fit for you!

At 'Pre-flight', we focus on the ideation phase, explore the knowledge that you have, evaluate options you are considering and then help you work through an idea you take forward.

During this program, you will learn

How to turn your idea into a commercial reality
How to prioritise and select between multiple ideas
How to design a compelling business model
How to build the first version of your product

The focus of this program is two-fold:

Developing base entrepreneurial capabilities
Ideation – that is helping new founders to explore and select the idea they want to commercialise.

When you finish the program you should exit with an initial value proposition statement and lean canvas.

PRE-FLIGHT

Focus: Pre-Accelerator

Delivery: 2 Days Full Time, 8.30am - 5pm each day with lunch provided

Location: Western Sydney University, Level 1, 6 Hassall St Parramatta, NSW, 2150

Timing: 26-27 November 2026

Entry Criteria: None

Cost: $199 incl. GST plus booking fee (complimentary for Western students and staff - contact us)

Requirements: BYO laptop

SEATS ARE LIMITED >> We will only be taking a small group of people so don't miss out on this great opportunity.

By signing up to Pre-Flight, you confirm that you have read and agreed to our terms and conditions and code of conduct.

PROGRAM FACILITATORS

Ian Mason

Ian is an experienced company founder, having built multiple brands that affect change in communities across the world.

His portfolio of companies includes, most notably, an education technology company that teaches children to learn to read and a company that provides leadership development programs to individuals and corporate clients, that include the likes of AstraZeneca and the U.K. Government.

In 2013, Ian played a key role in the creation of a company and a proposition that could deliver business support to entrepreneurs and SMEs at scale, on behalf of Sir Richard Branson. The result of this work, Virgin StartUp, was a collection of programs and funding opportunities, delivered by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs looking to start, fund and scale their business.

Within 5 years of founding, Virgin StartUp had delivered support to over 11,000 U.K.–based startups and SMEs, making it one of the largest such organisations in the country. After leaving Virgin, he then went on to create Humble, another business support organisation, with the vision that entrepreneurship can be a huge driver of social mobility, financial independence and upskilling, not just a vehicle for creating billion dollar companies. Over 2,500 entrepreneurs globally have benefitted from Humble’s programs over the last 4 years, more than half of whom are female.

He has also held over a dozen Entrepreneur-in-Residence roles at various incubators and accelerators globally.

Ian started his career as an economist, working in economic development in local, regional and then national Government in the UK, before becoming Head of Policy and Public Affairs at London Chamber of Commerce in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis. He left this work to pursue his dream of working for Sir Richard Branson and later to go his own way as an entrepreneur.

Cat Matson

Cat Matson teaches business owners, public servants, humble leaders and other corporate hippies to speak with confidence, authority, authenticity and impact.

A popular and accomplished Speaker, MC and Mentor, Cat is known for her straight-talking, 'realness' and helping her clients discover, and express, their authentic confidence.

Cat describes herself as a 'Mistress-of-all-Trades' having worked in both the private and public sectors, in small and large business and in virtually every industry. She has advised Mayors and CEOs; developed city-shaping strategies; interviewed extraordinary industry leaders so others can learn their ‘secrets’ and helped small business owners harness digital transformation and innovation.

She is the host of the Speaking with Confidence with Cat Matson podcast, likes to 'work out loud' so others can learn from her experiences, enjoys her coffees strong and black and her martinis stirred and dirty.

FAQs

1. Who is running Pre-flight?

Western Sydney University’s Launch Pad is a Tech Startup Incubator operating since 2015. Launch Pad was established to enable the growth of a startup community in Western Sydney and drive the development of a sophisticated innovation ecosystem for the region.

Launch Pad’s mission is to drive innovation across Australia’s newest tech startup ecosystem – Western Sydney.

2. Do I have to be a university student to participate?

Although Launch Pad is part of Western Sydney University, the programs are aimed at anyone who is an entrepreneur or has a startup idea. So whether you are a student or not - all are welcome!

3. How many people will be in the program?

There will be 10-15 founders who will participate in the program. Spots are limited so make sure you secure your spot.

4. Do I need an idea, solution or product?

No - this program is for people who have an idea or want to further explore the first stages of idea. When you finish the program you should exit with an initial value proposition statement and lean canvas.

5. If I complete this program will I automatically get into your startup accelerator program?

No - you will still have to apply to take part in all accelerator programs. But this will give you a teaser for what to expect!

Contact the host of Pre-flight November 2026 (Cohort #14)