2021 The Studio Founders’ Program, Information
What is The Studio’s Founders’ Program?
The Studio Founders’ Program is a 6-week guided program, culminating in week 7 with a pitch day (demo day, internal only).
This program will equip you with essential entrepreneurial skills and fill knowledge gaps for existing founders. You’ll also become part of a startup community, which is invaluable to new entrepreneurs and startup founders like yourself. Throughout the program you will be supported by a team of advisors, mentors for one-on-one sessions.
The Studio has partnered with Startup Onramp to deliver this program.
Key dates:
Applications close: 28th February
Interviews (on-line) with candidates / successful candidates advised: 24th Feb – 9th March
Weeks 1-6: Program runs, Monday 15th March – Friday 23rd April, 2021
Week 7: Friday 30th April, Pitch Day / Demo Day (internal only)
Minimum requirement of attendance in-person at The Studio:
Monday 15th March: Day 1, 8.30 – midday (half day)
19th March – 30th April, 7 x Friday’s (full day) throughout the program.
NB. You must be able to attend in-person, the dates above (seven and half days) at The Studio to be eligible for this program.
Is it free?
The Studio will offer fully-funded:
6 week online course, with forum and 6 week residency at The Studio, which includes additional face-to-face learning, resources, activities and other benefits.
Program Overview, how does it work?
The first week of the Founders’ Program kicks off with a morning of welcome launch activities, orientation tour and induction.
In person activities, held at The Studio are conducted in a COVID-safe environment. All participants are required to follow The Studio’s COVID-safe policies.
Every Friday throughout the program, activities take place on-site at The Studio and include:
- Masterclasses and workshops;
- Ask-me-anything Sessions with, The Studio’s expert-in-residence, David McKeague;
- One-on-one sessions with advisors and mentors;
- Talks by industry specialists and subject matter experts;
- Introductions to founders and entrepreneurs;
- Pizza, Drinks & News.
At the end of the 6th week, you’ll be coached in a “Pitch Masterclass”, providing you with pitch-ready skills for the final activity, the Demo Day (cohort only activity).
During the course of the Founders’ Program, you will have access to the following during business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5.30pm:
- Your own desk at The Studio
- Access to the lounge and dining/kitchen
- Access to meeting rooms
- Access to the Green Screen Studio, Sound Studio, Edit Suite and Multi-Media Room
You are also welcome to join The Studio’s other events held in the lounge or virtually:
- Founders' Stories - Tuesdays, midday - 12:30pm
- Business Story - Thursdays, midday - 12:40pm
Who can join?
The Studio is industry-agnostic. We invite applications for this Founders Program from:
- new entrepreneurs in the first 12 months of their business
- early-stage startup founders with or without MVP (minimum viable product)
- pre-series A founders
- individuals with tech-business ideas that could be the basis of a scalable business
- social impact or social enterprise startups
As long as you’re highly passionate and driven to bring your startup to life, are based in the Sydney area and are 18+ yrs., then we encourage you to apply.
What are the selection criteria?
- Minimum requirement: Must be able to attend in-person each Friday during the Founders’ Program at The Studio.
- Must have a startup business or planning to launch a startup.
How many people per cohort can join?
One person per team, additional team members can also do the 6-week online course for $300.
How can I apply?
Submit your application, link here.
Applicants are assessed throughout the application period. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a virtual interview.
FAQs
Q: Do I have to have a startup company already registered in Australia?
- No. Establishing and launching a business in Australia is a key focus of this program.
- If you are already a startup founder, you will also benefit from this program. It will fill any knowledge gaps and allow you to reassess your business through proven methodologies.
Q: Do I have to be based in Sydney/ the Greater Sydney region?
Q: What does the program expect from me? Does the program expect me to be able to provide an output (e.g. MVP, PoC) at the end of the 6-week program?
Q: Do I have to sign up for residency at The Studio upon completion of the program?
Q: Is there an opportunity to pitch to investors?
Q: If one team member of our startup is successful with a funded placement in this program, can other team members share the program?
Q: I thought The Studio was focused on startups in communications, media and the creative industries? If my startup is not related to any of these sectors can I still apply?
Q: Why is The Studio offering this program for free and low-cost?
A: The Studio is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity with a mission to support and foster startup and scaleup activity in Australia for the benefit of all.