Generation Launch

WELCOME TO GENERATION LAUNCH

Generation Launch is an innovative program that supports migrants, refugees and new Australians in joining the Victorian startup ecosystem — creating the next generation of successful high-growth ventures in Australia.

This program has three core intentions: to improve the success of migrant startups in Victoria and encourage more migrant entrepreneurs to launch their business ideas in the state; to improve outcomes for the wider Victorian startup ecosystem by supporting migrant entrepreneurs and startups in creating high-growth ventures; and to support the Victorian startup ecosystem in becoming a global leader for entrepreneurship, startups and innovation.

This program is supported by LaunchVic. LaunchVic works in partnership with entrepreneurs, industry, business, the community and our educational institutions to strengthen Victoria’s entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem.

OUR APPROACH

To support startup ventures and entrepreneurs, Generation Launch focuses on addressing three key challenges faced by migrant founders as identified by the Centre for Entrepreneurs 2015. These include:

Access to Information – Generation Launch runs various educational workshops and training seminars to support migrant entrepreneurs in gaining the transitional skills, local knowledge and hands-on experience for their startup’s success. Drawing from diverse experts across the globe, these events are designed to be super inclusive and applicable to all business ideas.
Practical Experience – We provide practical ways for individuals to connect and work with existing startups, or to create a venture through existing programs and support networks in Victoria.
Networks – We help to expand connections through a series of events, while also sharing stories of success and role models that are far more diverse than the usual faces.

We aim to support a diverse group of entrepreneurs across Victoria to thrive.

RECENT EVENTS & WORKSHOPS

Build your network. Building your skills. Find your tribe.

UNBOUND IDEAS - THE BIG ONE: 31 AUGUST, 2019
@ RMIT University Building 80, Melbourne, CBD

Our signature startup, global ideas and entrepreneurship event is back after a stellar event in 2018. Bringing together hundreds of people to explore ideas, innovation at scale - Unbound Ideas is all about inclusive vibes and interactive sessions. Hosted at the RMIT University - one of Melbourne's hubs for innovation, this event is one not to be missed.

With an emphasis on celebrating migrant, refugee and international entrepreneurs this year will have a strong focus on the following themes: multidisciplinary learning; global health and wellbeing; and bringing ideas to life.

Join hundreds of emerging and existing entrepreneurs for a day of big ideas, interactivity, connection and fantastic food. There's always a surprise at Unbound Ideas...

Registration and Further Event Information is: here.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATORS - RESOURCE SHARING: 14 August, 2019 (3 - 5pm) - University of Melbourne (Arts West)

This interactive session will be a chance to put the educators in the shoes of our students and to showcase some of our best learning sessions. The ones that students rave about. The ones that effectively engage diverse groups. The ones that we're most proud of.

Showcase: Unbound will share an extensive set of workshops and learning resources developed as part of Generation Launch, a LaunchVic supported initiative focussed on engaging migrants, refugees and international students in the startup ecosystem. From interactive warmups in a culturally sensitive way, through to diverse global case studies that can show innovation beyond the buzz of big tech firms.

Showcase: Fitzroy Academy will share an overview of their engaging online learning resources - high quality videos that explain social enterprise, startup, and entrepreneurial topics in an effective way. Advice on what works - and doesn't work - in online learning will be covered.

From there - we will open up to the community to share their best resources and lessons - both practically delivered (getting us up and working), and outlined. Bring your links, references, USBs, or favourite resources After the session, feel free to stay and mingle and enjoy. :)

RSVP via email: [email protected]

STARTUP EDUCATION

The Generation Launch is a collaboration with Victorian educational institutions to embed startup skills – designed to engage and support migrant entrepreneurs – into existing educational programs and extra-curricular programs (such as university accelerator and incubators).

Unbound has strong existing collaborations with Victorian-based institutions and will implement entrepreneurship content into these programs, to help build the skills and interest in startups across the state. This will be developed through practical and interactive case studies of innovative foreign-born entrepreneurs and global ventures; as well as guest lectures; and workshops. We will collaborate with local experts and support them with practical skills and programs to support migrant entrepreneurs.

Unbound will be delivering education activities supporting migrants across RMIT University, University of Melbourne, Monash University, Swinburne University, and other educational organisations, which we will build on to integrate these programs into existing courses and in collaboration with associated groups (entrepreneurship programs, clubs and incubators).

If you want an Unbound speaker or facilitator to present at your institution or group, please contact us below.

Resources - If you'd like to use our educational resources, check them out here.

STARTUP INTENSIVES

One of the best ways to learn and build the practical skills for launching a successful high growth venture is to actually do it!

The Startup Intensive Program provides university students with unique internship opportunities in some of Melbourne most innovative new startups. As part of the Generation Launch program, the intensives specifically focus on the placement and mentoring of new migrant, refugee and international student interns.

The program structure will give students hands-on experience in real startup projects and challenges where they will gain personal insights into running a successful startup venture, and gain connections to the Victorian startup ecosystem. Students may conduct vital market research, lead product prototyping, facilitate user feedback forums, create marketing plans, manage projects or launch events, and obtain a wide variety of essential skills and networks for bringing their own start-up venture idea to life. Additionally, students will receive credit or work experience hours as part of their work-integrated learning subjects and work experience requirements. This will make working in startups a real option for graduates – rather just pursuing a corporate career path.

Throughout these intensive placements, Unbound will also work closely with Victorian startups to support interns and professional work placements - providing some structure, mentorship and feedback to assist this process. Victorian startups involved in the program will benefit from having passionate and skilled interns supporting the growth and success of their ventures, thus building a more diverse and vibrant ecosystem overall.

For students participating as part of their degree requirements, all placements are generally unpaid. This ensures that placements are primarily viewed as a learning experience and allows individuals to be covered by their institutions policies and insurances. All Startup Intensive placements also comply with Fair Work Australia rules, university guidelines and best practices in Work Integrated Learning.

Want to get involved?
If you coordinate university placements at your institution, or if you're a student seeking a placement opportunity with one of our startup partners, please get in touch with the team at [email protected] to discuss potential partnerships and pilot programs in 2019.

If you’re a startup founder and would like to host a student intern to engage in your business, please get in touch with the team at [email protected] for more information.