Venture Cup Wildcard Pitch Training
Description
Interested in applying for one of four Wildcard spots in Swinburne’s flagship Venture Cup pitch event?
Join us at the Hawthorn Hotel on Tuesday 6 October for a practical 90-minute pitch training session designed to help you develop a clearer, more compelling pitch for your Venture Cup Wildcard application.
Venture Cup will be held on Tuesday 27 October, with a $10,000 prize pool available across the competition.
This year, Wildcard pathways are available for:
HASS / Social Impact
Student & Early-Stage Ventures
Final Year Students
Female Founders
Learning Outcomes
🎤 Pitch Training with Dr Olivia Rinato (12pm - 1.30pm)
Learn how to turn your idea into a clear and compelling pitch with Dr Olivia Rinato, an entrepreneurship educator with a background in pitching and performing arts who has coached hundreds of founders to communicate their ideas with greater clarity, confidence and impact.
This practical session will help you:
Clarify the problem or opportunity you are addressing.
Communicate why your idea matters.
Structure a compelling venture story.
Strengthen your pitch delivery.
Prepare your video pitch for your Venture Cup Wildcard application.
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🙋 Extra support available on the day
When registering, you can also indicate your interest in attending either of the following optional sessions on 6 October.
Optional: Venture Cup Wildcard Group Coaching (10am - 11.30am)
Want some additional support with your Wildcard application? Join a small-group coaching session to explore the Wildcard opportunity, ask questions and get feedback on your idea before applications close.
Optional: Startup in a Box Launch Event (2.30pm - 4pm)
Join us for the launch of Startup in a Box, Swinburne Innovation Studio’s new digital venture-building platform.
You’ll get an introduction to the platform, learn how it can support you to develop your venture, and hear more about the Venture Cup Wildcard opportunity and application process.
If selected, you’ll progress into the Venture Cup pathway, receive further pitch support and have the opportunity to pitch at Swinburne’s flagship venture competition.
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📅 Venture Cup Wild Card key dates:
30 September | Wildcard applications open in Startup in a Box |
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6 October | Pitch training, optional group coaching and Startup in a Box launch |
8 October | Wildcard applications close |
9 October | Selected Venture Cup startups announced |
13 October | Selected startups attend pitch development and storytelling coaching with Jon Yeo (TEDx) |
27 October | Venture Cup |
Register for the Pitch Training today and let us know if you’re also interested in attending the optional Group Coaching and Startup in a Box Launch Event.
Meet your trainer

Dr Olivia Rinato
Associate Director, Commercial Programs and Operations, Swinburne Dr Olivia Rinato is a researcher, entrepreneur and educator with a multidisciplinary background spanning business innovation, the creative industries and health sector. Her PhD on enterprising mindsets led her to design her first product business, grounded in her research. She has also designed and delivered transformative learning experiences across RMIT Activator, HEX and Monash Generator. Her work brings together research, enterprise and education to help people turn ideas into meaningful, real-world impact.
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