Build your startup with AI – no technical background needed – and get the support of mentors and a community of founders to bring your idea to life.
The ACU Co-Lab Startup Pre‑Accelerator Program is a dedicated Victorian cohort of the Building Your Startup with AI Tools 2026 series, proudly funded by LaunchVic (now known as Innovation Victoria). Open to ACU students, staff and alumni based in Victoria, this program is designed to help you move from idea to action – turning early concepts into something real, testable and ready to grow.
Over 10 weeks, you’ll make real progress each session – defining your problem, validating insights, building a prototype using AI tools and shaping your go-to-market approach. By the end, you’ll have:
To wrap up, you’ll pitch your idea for the chance to receive up to $10,000 to support your next steps – helping you build momentum and take your idea towards launch.
Applications close 5 August 2026. Places are limited and the cohort is kept intentionally small so we encourage you to apply early.
This program is made possible with funding from Innovation Victoria and delivered in partnership with Disruptors Co.
If you are based outside of Victoria, you can still participate in the Building your startup with AI Tools 2026 series.
This program is designed to support you at the earliest stage of your startup journey. You’ll:
The ACU Co‑Lab Startup Pre‑Accelerator is open to members of the ACU community who are based in Victoria, including:
You don’t need a fully formed startup, just a strong idea and the motivation to explore it. This program is designed for those at the earliest stage, whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing concept.
We welcome tech-enabled ideas from any sector, including (but not limited to):
Spots are limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early.
Stage 1: Submit your application via this page by 5 August.
Stage 2: Selected applicants may be invited to a short 15-minute interview with the ACU Co‑Lab team to discuss their idea in more detail. This step is not required for all applicants; where applications provide sufficient clarity, decisions may be made without an interview.
Stage 3: Successful applicants will receive an official offer and be invited to join the program’s kick-off session.
Ready to explore your idea? Apply now
Applications close: 5 August 2026
Interviews: Rolling basis
Offer letters sent out: 7 August 2026
Cohort 2 program dates: 10 August–23 October 2026
ACU Demo Day: 21 October 2026 (TBC)
If you want to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the third cohort kicking off in March 2027, please send an email to co-lab.melbourne@acu.edu.au
Accepted participants will be able to attend for free, with all costs fully subsidised by LaunchVic and ACU.
Format
Weekly sessions run over 10 weeks, combining hands-on workshops and optional support sessions:
Workshop structure
20-minute teach | 60-minute build | 20-minute peer review | 20-minute commit
AI experience needed
None. You’ll learn everything you need from week one
Tools used
Claude - AI research and writing | Lovable – rapid prototyping
Program schedule
Please note that the program schedule may be adjusted throughout delivery to better reflect the needs, interests and progress of the cohort. Co-Lab aims to tailor the experience to participants where possible.
You must be based in Victoria and be an ACU student, staff member, researcher or alumni with a tech-enabled startup idea.
Yes - you can still take part in the Building Your Startup with AI Tools 2026 workshop series delivered by Disruptors Co. You can register separately via the program page.;
The program is primarily delivered online and all core sessions are recorded. There will also be optional in-person events at ACU’s Melbourne Campus to enrich your experience.
You can expect around three hours per week of structured sessions (Tuesday sessions and Wednesday workshops). Additional optional events such as mentoring, networking and Demo Day may also be offered.
To get the most out of the program, you’ll also need to spend time working on your idea independently. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out.
The core content is similar, but Startup Pre-Accelerator is a dedicated Victorian cohort funded by Innovation Victoria, exclusively for ACU students, staff and alumni.
You’ll also benefit from additional support, local events and a cohort-based experience designed to help you progress your idea further.
Yes, pitching is a core part of the program. You’ll present a three-minute pitch followed by a short Q&A at Demo Day.
Throughout the program, you’ll be supported to build your pitch, develop your storytelling skills and gain confidence presenting your idea. Pitching is required to be eligible for prize funding.
View our terms and conditions.
Please discuss this with your ADR to see how this could impact your workload allocation for 2026/2027. The program requires three to six hours per week (including core sessions and additional time for customer engagement and product development), totalling around 60 hours.
If your idea or research is already funded through another ACU program, it may not be eligible for additional investment through this program. However, you are still welcome to apply to participate in the learning experience.
If you have any questions about the Startup Pre-Accelerator Program, please do not hesitate to reach out to Shirley Pham, Startup Program Officer, Co-Lab at co-lab.melbourne@acu.edu.au
We're available 9am–5pm AEST,
Monday to Friday
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