NSW FLIP
It's time to back yourself.
FLIP is a free statewide program for women across NSW with a business idea worth backing. Whether you're testing a side project, scaling a community initiative or ready to commit to launching a venture, FLIP gives you the skills, confidence and network to move forward.
Delivered in two phases, FLIP starts broad and goes deep. Our Founder Readiness phase is open to women across NSW. From there, participants are invited to apply for the FLIP Pre-Accelerator Intensive, an eight-week program supporting female founders to validate their ideas and find their impact faster.
Want to know when applications open?
Program overview
A two-phase journey across NSW
FLIP is designed for women at different stages of the founder journey. We start with a wide doorway and narrow into deep, hands-on support for those ready to commit.
Phase 1: Founder Readiness
Over seven weeks, you'll move from "I have an idea" to "I know whether this idea is worth pursuing". Phase 1 is online-first and built to fit around work, study and family commitments.
What's included
- Idea Workshops: two interactive online workshops covering the foundations every founder needs: understanding what your customers are really trying to achieve, and testing whether your problem is real and worth solving.
- Group Coaching: three online small-group coaching sessions where you apply what you're learning to your own idea, get feedback from coaches with deep startup experience and learn from other women in the cohort.
- Women in Innovation Panel: a launch-week panel of women who've built businesses, led innovation inside large organisations or backed other women to do the same. Real talk, no polish.
- Speed Networking Event: an in-person event for Phase 1 participants, alumni, mentors and the I2N community. Meet the people who'll be part of your founder journey beyond the program.
- Learn your own way: self-paced modules, masterclasses and resources you can work through at your own pace. Access continues after Phase 1.
- A community of women in the same boat: phase 1 connects you to women across NSW who are at the same point in their journey. You'll leave with peers, not just classmates.
Phase 2: Pre-Accelerator Intensive
Eight weeks of immersive workshops, weekly pod coaching and one-to-one mentoring, finishing with the statewide Showcase.
You don't have to know now whether Phase 2 is right for you. Phase 1 is designed to help you work that out.
What it costs
Free! FLIP is funded by the NSW Government Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program in partnership with the MacDougall Foundation.
No university affiliation required - we welcome all eligible founders and problem solvers from NSW!
Intellectual Property (IP)
The University of Newcastle makes no claim over the intellectual property (IP) generated by participants as part of FLIP (subject to the University’s IP Policy and Procedure) provided your use of the IP acknowledges that the IP was developed as part of FLIP (unless it is unreasonable to do so).
If a team member is an employee or student of the University of Newcastle, they agree and acknowledge that ownership of the IP will be in accordance with the University IP Policy and Procedure, as amended from time to time. IP Policy found here. IP Procedure found here.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.