Case studies
- New scholarship for women to launch business initiatives
- New scholarship to support Illawarra entrepreneurs
- Establishment of UOW Local
iAccelerate, the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) business accelerator and incubator, has launched a new scholarship program to help women bring their business ideas and community initiatives to life. The unique program is open to all women, but is particularly encouraging applications women from diverse communities, including Indigenous, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, and refugee backgrounds to foster a more diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial community.
The iAccelerate LIFT Scholarship Program for Women will allow women to join iAccelerate’s Activate program and gain vital entrepreneurial skills for their business and community initiatives.
The business incubator is continuing its strong record of accomplishment in supporting women entrepreneurs, with more than 50 per cent of their companies having at least one active female founder.
Since 2016, $132.5M has been injected into the regional economy through wages and contractor payments made by our resident companies, with $22.3M injected in 2023 alone.
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality
- SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
This collaborative sponsorship worth $10,000 will allow up to three founders to receive funding for an iAccelerate residency and mentorship support for their venture. The initiative’s goal is to empower aspiring fintech founders and drive innovation in the Illawarra region.
The scholarship will not only provide financial support but also offer invaluable resources, mentorship and access to a vibrant community of entrepreneurs at iAccelerate.
Johnny Mitrevski, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Scalapay, is a true believer in the potential of Wollongong as a hub for world-class technology and innovation. He says the company aims to provide the necessary resources and opportunities for promising fintech startups to thrive.
SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
UOW Local has been established as a flagship initiative to guide positive relationships and increase engagement between local communities and the University.
Helping to facilitate connections between external stakeholders and the University, UOW Local fosters and maintains links with business and industry, local community organisations, donors, and volunteers, and builds a deeper awareness of the University’s activities.
Partnerships have been developed with Raising the Bar Foundation and Healthy Cities Illawarra to address workplace mental health training and health promotion. The University has also collaborated with Wollongong City Council and Transport for NSW to support the Gong Shuttle, which transported more than 1.8 million passengers between July 2022 and June 2023.
UOW actively supports a range of Illawarra and South Coast-based organisations, including Business Illawarra, Bundanon Trust, and the Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS). In 2023, UOW subsidised fees for 232 members of community to attend the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music.
SDG 3 – Good health and wellbeing
SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth
SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities
SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities
