FLIP Showcase
FLIP SHOWCASE
You are invited to the FLIP Showcase! This event will give you a first look at the Hunter and Central Coast's most inspiring women entrepreneurs as they showcase their progress in I2N's 10-week FLIP program.
As a valued member of the region's innovation ecosystem, this is your opportunity to meet the FLIP cohort - women entrepreneurs and leaders who have spent 10 weeks developing their ventures and strengthening their leadership presence.
📅 Order of Proceedings:
3:45PM - Doors open
4:05PM - Formal proceedings (including pitches from 6 of the 14 teams)
4:45PM - Panel with FLIP Coaches
5:20PM - Announcement of Award Winners (including the $10,000 MacDougall Foundation Award)
5:30PM - Networking commences
with participants and the broader ecosystem
6:30PM - Event concludes
🙌 Thank you to our program partners
The Adam and Belinda MacDougall Foundation
Event Information
- Date: This in person event will be held on Thursday 13 August 2026 from 3:45pm - 6:30pm
- Location: I2N Hub Honeysuckle, Q Building, 16B Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle NSW 2300
- Campus: Newcastle (City)
What is FLIP?
FLIP is here to ensure that women's talents and ideas are fully leveraged in the NSW entrepreneurial ecosystem. Delivered online and open to women aged 18 and over, this program is designed specifically for women entrepreneurs, innovators and aspiring leaders, providing a safe and supportive space to develop essential business validation skills and build authentic leadership presence.
FLIP runs across two phases:
- Phase 1: Founder Readiness is a seven-week online program covering lean startup methodology, customer discovery and ideation. Phase 1 participants can then apply for Phase 2.
- Phase 2: Pre-Accelerator Intensive, a nine-week program taking selected founders through deeper validation, business model development, leadership, finance and pitching, finishing with a statewide Showcase.
The program combines lean startup methodology with targeted leadership development, addressing both the structural and internal barriers women often encounter in entrepreneurship.
Together we're building a NSW where more women turn bold ideas into thriving ventures.
Why I2N?
The University of Newcastle's Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) is one of Australia's leading ecosystems for startups. By harnessing unique resources and a network of innovation hubs, we empower promising innovators and entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into high-impact, sustainable businesses. Through our enterprise skill-building programs and dedicated spaces, I2N is creating the foundation for startups to thrive and driving economic diversity across our regions.
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.