Virtual Business Incubator
What is the Virtual Business Incubator Program?
Students work in small teams to explore market trends and the business environment to identify, develop, and support a business opportunity that they could potentially take to market. Each week students will be engaged in a combination of program tailored content, hands-on project work, independent and team meetings and mentor sessions with the program leader.
The program will develop key skills required to embark on an entrepreneurial journey and work in the start-up and innovation space. The incubator teams will work together to develop and refine their business opportunity culminating in a final Program Pitch Day event, where all groups present their idea to a panel of judges. Students will also develop their own personal portfolio to support the business idea developed that they can use beyond the program.
Who can apply?
This program is available for credit to undergraduate and postgraduate students across all facilities and campuses, who are eligible to use a WIL unit towards their degree.
Program enrolment
Successful students are eligible to undertake this for 1 credit point and are required to enrol in:
- Undergraduate: MWL317 – Entrepreneurship Experience (2020 Handbook, 2021 Handbook )
- Postgraduate: MWL717 – Entrepreneurship Experience (2020 Handbook, 2021 Handbook )
It is your responsibility to ensure that taking a WIL unit contributes towards your course requirements, and will not prevent you from meeting your course rules. Please speak with a Student Adviser if you are unsure; you can contact them on buslaw@deakin.edu.au or (03) 9244 6555.
How to apply
Applications for T1 2021 are now open and places are strictly limited. To be considered, you must submit an online application by clicking HERE.
Applications will close Sunday 7 February 2021.
Please email the WIL team at bl-wil@deakin.edu.au if you have any questions or issues about your application.
Key dates
| Trimester week | Date | Program week | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| O Week |
Thursday 4th March 10am – 12pm | 0 | Content: Mandatory induction session. |
| Week 1 |
Thursday 11th March 11am – 3pm | 1 | Content: Program introduction, Trends & Ideas, Design Thinking, Group Formation. |
| Week 2 |
Thursday 18th March 11am – 3pm | 2 | Content: Critical Thinking, Research, Market Analysis, Lean Canvas. |
| Week 3 | Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd March | 3 | Meetings: Group mentor sessions – 30min per group. |
| Week 3 |
Thursday 25th March 11am – 3pm | 3 | Content: Minimum Viable Product, Marketing. |
| Week 4 | Monday 29th & Tuesday 30th March | 4 | Meetings: Group mentor sessions – 30min per group. |
| Week 4 |
Thursday 1st April 1am – 3pm | 4 | Content: Ethics & Social Responsibility, Managing Resources. |
| Week 5 | Monday 12th & Tuesday 13th April | 5 | Meetings: Group mentor sessions – 30 min per group. |
| Week 5 |
Thursday 15th April 11am – 3pm | 5 | Content: Business Planning, Presentation Skills. |
| Week 6 | Monday 19th & Tuesday 20th April | 6 | Meetings: Group mentor session – 30 min per group, Includes practise presentations. |
| Week 6 |
Thursday 22nd April 11am – 3pm | 6 | Content: Final Pitch presentation. |
Content session topics and order subject to change.
Please contact the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team at bl-wil@deakin.edu.au for any questions regarding your application.