Applications for Hub Adelaide’s Spark program are open until January 22nd, with first-time entrepreneurs in South Australia and startup mentors encouraged to sign up.
The three-month program, launched at the end of 2013, has already run three rounds with the fourth currently underway. Program coordinator Imogen Coles told StartupSmart applications are now open for the fifth round, which begins on February 2nd and runs until May 1st.
“The Spark program was originally the Young Entrepreneur Fellowship, that was started by The Hub and the state government as a means to keep entrepreneurs from South Australia in South Australia, and therefore growing the economy in and around Adelaide.”
Imogen says the decision to broaden the young entrepreneurs’ program into an open-age accelerator program came about in order to help reflect “the diversity of the Hub community”.
Under the new rules, entrepreneurs can be of any age, but startups must be 12 months old or less, not currently in an incubator program, and have a solid business idea.
Coles says that nine out of 12 companies participating in the program have successfully launched their business, and there are number of benefits for entrepreneurs in joining.
“You get a ring of mentors to help you out on different issues you might face depending on the stage you’re at – from branding to IT to law – who can help you out on the issues you face. You’re also part of a business community at the Hub, and you get a Hub Adelaide Frequent membership.
“You also have the chance to present at the Hub showcase in a room full of businesspeople who can help found your business beyond the program.”
The Hub is also looking for experienced South Australian business people who are interested in serving as business mentors, as well as companies interested in offering sponsorships and grants.
Click here to find out more about the program.
Andrew Sadauskas is a former journalist at SmartCompany and a former editor of TechCompany.
