'Pre-flight' is a 2-day full-time startup pre-accelerator experience for people who are curious about entrepreneurship and creating their own start-up company or also interested to see 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:

1) Developing base entrepreneurial capabilities

2) 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.

PROGRAM FACILITATORS

Learn from our Entrepreneurs in Residence Jamie Pride and Jonathon Wolfe

Jamie is a Partner at Humanly Agile, an organisational design and change management consultancy that helps clients discover better ways of working and harness the power of their people.

He has over 27 years of experience in business transformation and is highly passionate about the future of work. His areas of expertise include organisational design, enterprise agility, people strategy & employee experience.

Jamie is a Scaled Agile Program Consultant (SPC) and a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner. Jamie also serves as a Non-Executive Director on the board of CHOICE. As well as being Chief Entrepreneur In Residence at Western Sydney University, Jamie is also the author of Unicorn Tears: Why Startups Fail & How To Avoid It - one of Australia's most popular business books on startups. His next book, Failure Proof: Thriving In The Modern Workplace - is expected to be published in early 2022.

Jonathon has worked for 30 years in industry as the CEO of startups and fast growth businesses. He has also applied this experience and his general business expertise in a variety of consulting roles and a number of new ventures.

During his early career Jonathon ran an internet-based startup. In its first 18 months the organisation grew to 70 people and flourished with a very low turn over of staff and a strong reputation for the delivery of projects on time and on budget.

Jonathon has led the commercialisation of a six technology platforms from Australian universities, the University of Sydney, University of Wollongong/ Smart Internet CRC, Macquarie University and UNSW. These roles have involved full responsibility for the development and execution of a detailed commercialisation plans and resulted where appropriate in millions of dollars of venture capital investment. Jonathan’s experience ranges from executing successful global licencing strategies for hearing aids to developing a multinational consultancy on the back of a decision to open source an e-learning.

Currently he co runs a management consultancy focussing on innovation and transformation of large organisations and supporting early stage businesses – using a customised approach based on Design Thinking and Lean Manufacturing.

PRE-FLIGHT PROGRAM

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: 8-9 February 2022

Entry Criteria: None

Cost: $199 incl. GST plus booking fee

Requirements: BYO laptop, double vaccinated

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.

Do not attend activity if you are unwell, have been in close contact with a positive case, have been tested and/or been instructed to self-isolate.

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 start-up 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 start up 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. What are your covid-safe procedures?

We ask that all participants wear masks indoors unless eating or drinking. The program will be held in an open event space (no stuffy rooms) where everyone can social distance. Hand sanitisers will be supplied and all surfaces will be cleaned regularly.

5. 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.