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https://www.facebook.com/Australian.Catholic.University/For the past four years, Australian Catholic University’s Co-Lab has been launching entrepreneurial incubator programs for underrepresented groups in Australia. The programs – developed with leaders from the social enterprise, disability, circular economy and migrant entrepreneurship sectors – stand out among university services. They are accessible not only to our students and alumni, but also the broader community. Vitally, the programs and use of our two co-working spaces are free, so all can participate. ACU Co-Lab cultivates an innovative and inclusive community – empowering the next generation of impactful change agents, no matter their background or resources. To date, four incubator programs have been successfully delivered, engaging a total of 3,215 participants. These programs have included 84 hours of skill development led by 42 industry experts. Our testimonials from participants highlight the true impact of our programs: “The Migrant Incubator Series has been a pivotal catalyst in our entrepreneurial journey. It provided us with a platform to refine our pitch, connect with mentors, and gain valuable insights into the Australian startup ecosystem.” “Such a worthwhile series – and all for free! So good to see ACU actively living their vision of empowering people to help others. Thank you.” “Amazing series - every session gets better than the previous. Invaluable.”
CATEGORY WINNER
Innovation and Collaboration Space of the Year Award
ACU Co-Lab
CATEGORY WINNER Innovation and Collaboration Space of the Year Award
Peoples' Choice Category Winner
Australian Catholic University - Australia
"ACU’s enterprising heart: supporting all to achieve their goals"
Summary
Key People
Gina d’Albora
Project Coordinator
Co-Lab,
Australian Catholic University
Anthony Bayss
Senior Project Officer
Co-Lab,
Australian Catholic University
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the state government funding body Investment NSW who have provided ongoing financial support for Co-Lab activities over the past seven years. Our industry delivery partners also need a mention, they include Verge Collaborative, StartSomeGood, Catalysr, Campus Plus, and Cruxes Innovation.
Images
North Sydney Co-Lab hub
North Sydney Co-Lab hub
Strathfield Co-Lab hub
North Sydney Co-Lab hub
Co-Lab member meet-up
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
Andrea Christie-David, the founder and managing director of Leor, a pioneering early childhood education and disability service, attributes much of her business's success to the support and resources provided by ACU Co-Lab. In the early days of her startup, ACU Co-Lab’s accessible and cost-free meeting spaces were invaluable, especially while operating on a tight budget. This environment allowed her to build her team and strategise for growth without financial strain.
Leor’s journey with ACU Co-Lab did not stop at the use of physical spaces. The collaborative partnerships and connections Andrea formed with ACU students through Co-Lab played a crucial role in the company’s development. Over five years, Leor expanded to a team of around 40 staff members, with approximately 30 to 40 ACU students working with them during this period. Her deeper ties with the university, solidified by completing a graduate diploma in educational studies, opened doors to numerous opportunities and strengthened her business network.
One of the most significant milestones in Andrea’s journey came when Leor gained the attention of G8 Education, the country's second-largest provider of early childhood education and care. This recognition led to a remarkable achievement—Andrea successfully sold her business for nearly $10 million.
Andrea Christie-David’s story is a powerful example of how a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem like ACU Co-Lab can transform dreams into reality. Her journey from a modest startup to a multi-million-dollar enterprise showcases the incredible impact that dedicated support and collaboration can have on aspiring entrepreneurs.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
‘You need to try different things to find what works for your specific context’.
One of the key learnings we found for our hubs and programs was to ensure we were constantly adjusting and adapting, based on the context, the community and the learnings we had. It can be tempting at times to try and replicate a model of activity or program that was successful in another environment, however there are so many factors that influence the success that there is no guarantee that what works in one environment will work in another.
It was, and continues to be, vital for us to shift what we offer and how we offer it, so that it suits our audience and environment. Covid provided a great example of that, where the whole global landscape needed to adapt to the changing context they were working in, and that approach of ‘try, learn, adapt’ is something that we have found to be invaluable in the set up and the growth of the Co-Lab unit.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?Over the next three to five years we are excited to expand Co-Lab’s dynamic co-curricular activities and engagements, connecting students with a wealth of industry opportunities. Our commitment to scaling collaborative research projects through our partnership with Investment NSW’s TechVoucher program will drive innovation and foster significant growth. We will continue to enhance and expand our hub operations in North Sydney and Strathfield, deepening our engagement with the industry and the community. Additionally, we plan to diversify the university’s unit offerings and revenue streams by exploring targeted education opportunities inspired by our successful incubator series programs. These initiatives are designed to empower students, stimulate research and development, and strengthen our community bonds, paving the way for a brighter, more connected future.
