Free online session explores customer-centric validation, MVP marketing strategies, and building investable businesses
What’s happening: Macquarie University Incubator is hosting a free online information session on 28 January 2026 for its Educate Program, designed to help founders validate ideas, structure businesses, and prepare for investment through masterclass streams covering pitching, creative thinking, marketing, and business structure.
Why this matters: Startups often fail because founders refuse to adapt and lack proper mentorship Dynamic Business, making structured education programs increasingly valuable. The Educate Program addresses this by offering systematic validation frameworks mapped to merger and acquisition due diligence checklists.
The Macquarie University Incubator’s Educate Program represents a structured approach to startup education that has supported more than 200 companies since its launch in 2017. The upcoming information session, scheduled for 28 January 2026 at 6:30 PM AEDT, will showcase how the program helps founders navigate the journey from initial idea to investment readiness.
According to the incubator’s materials, the program delivers over 200 hours of education annually and connects participants with a network of more than 80 mentors and trainers. The curriculum has been deliberately mapped to merger and acquisition due diligence checklists, ensuring that all critical business areas are covered during the six-month program.
200+ Hours Annually
The program offers several distinct masterclass streams, each addressing specific aspects of business development. The validate stream focuses on creative thinking and lean business methodology, placing customer-centric approaches at its core. Additional streams cover pitching techniques, marketing strategies, business structure fundamentals, and investment preparation.
Participants gain access to consulting experts in areas including marketing, law, tax, and accounting, alongside trainers specialising in pitching, presenting, and negotiation. The program includes 40-plus hours of content available both in person and online, with recordings accessible for those unable to attend live sessions.
Community of Founders
Deciding which program to opt for depends on the type and status of the startup, with incubators generally supporting ventures at the idea or very early stage Dynamic Business, explains Jasmine Vreugdenburg, Director of UniSA Innovation & Collaboration Centre. The Educate Program caters to both early-stage startups and scaling companies from Macquarie University and beyond.
The incubator membership, priced at $300 plus GST per month for six months with extension options, includes 24/7 building access, workspace, mentoring network support, and inclusion in various industry engagement events. Members also benefit from access to professional services, meeting rooms, event spaces, and a dedicated intranet of resources.
Masterclass Approach
The program runs primarily on Thursday mornings, with some Tuesday sessions, each lasting one to two hours. Sessions are live-streamed, allowing founders to participate remotely while maintaining full-time work or studies. The incubator emphasises that participants receive value proportional to their engagement level.
According to the incubator’s 2024 report, resident startups paid out more than $4.5 million in wages, employed 296 people, and created 43 new jobs during the year. Additionally, 34 startups collaborated with Macquarie University researchers, demonstrating the program’s integration with academic research networks.
The information session will provide prospective participants with an opportunity to discover how the program validates ideas, explore the various masterclass streams, and connect directly with the team managing the program. Applications for the program remain open throughout the year, with cohorts forming based on application timing.
Prospective participants can register for the information session through the incubator’s online platform. The session will be conducted via Zoom, with access links provided to registered attendees prior to the event. For additional information, interested founders can contact the incubator team at incubator@mq.edu.au.
The Macquarie University Incubator operates from an award-winning timber building at 8 Hadenfeld Avenue in Macquarie Park, described as the beating heart of startups in Australia’s most innovative postcode. The facility is co-located with various industry partners and provides connections to university research networks, student talent pools, and the broader Macquarie Park Innovation District.
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