The Study Melbourne Future Founders Program, brought to you by Study Melbourne and StartSpace, is Australia’s largest entrepreneurial program for international students and aspiring new founders.

Students can connect with other students and new founders, learn practical career skills and gain support for a new business idea. Scholarships offer seed funding and business support to take new business ventures to the next level.

The program is free and designed specifically for international students.

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[Inspiring music, visuals of event including presenters, crowd, networking]

[On-screen text: Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival]

[On-screen logos]

Study Melbourne. Startspace. Powered by State Library Victoria.

[On-screen text: Inspire your ideas]

[On-screen text: Make new connections]

[On-screen text: Explore entrepreneurship]

[On-screen logo, and text]

Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival

Startspacehq.com/futurefounders

[On-screen logos]

Study Melbourne. Startspace. Powered by State Library Victoria.

[End transcript]

Roadshows

In these Roadshows, participants will hear stories from experienced migrant founders and find out more about entrepreneurship as a career option.

The Roadshows include a skills-based workshop and founder panel discussion. It’s free to participate, the Roadshows are designed to inspire international students and alumni in their career journey.

Venture Scholarships

The Study Melbourne Future Founders Venture Scholarships offer current and former international students (up to 5 years post-graduation) who are leading new business ventures with startup funding, a StartSpace Loft membership and one-on-one coaching and mentoring opportunities.

The scholarship program runs for 12 weeks annually and provides:

  • AUD$ 10,000 seed funding for your business venture
  • StartSpace Loft memberships for the duration of the program
  • Six 1 hour 1:1 mentoring sessions with a business mentor and more

Festival

The annual Study Melbourne Future Founders Festival is free to attend and includes a full day and evening of inspiring founder talks, panel sessions, interactive workshops, an evening party with networking and features the final of the pitch competition. All participants can make new connections and explore entrepreneurship as a career path, including a chance to win up to $5,000 AUD in the Study Melbourne Future Founders Pitch Competition.

The competition is open to current and former international students (up to 5 years post-graduation) who have inspiring ideas for solving the challenges in the world, both big and small.

Contact us if you have questions or want more information.

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Upcoming events
Victoria
Two Study Melbourne Ambassadors at a booth, branding in background
16 December - 19 January

Apply for the 2025 Ambassador program!

We are looking for current international students to help create a rich and supportive community for current and prospective international students. The Study Melbourne Ambassador program enables international students to grow their network and develop valuable leadership and interpersonal skills. Up to 10 Ambassadors will be selected to join this exciting program for the 2025 academic year. This is a volunteer opportunity for current international students studying at a Victorian tertiary education provider.
Time: 12:00am - 11:59pm (AEDT)
Cost: Free
Register