HATCH: TARONGA ACCELERATOR PROGRAM 2024

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About Hatch

The Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program is designed to help ecopreneurs take their idea from vision to reality. If you are a not-for-profit or social enterprise founder or start up with a venture that will drive positive change for wildlife, biodiversity and the environment, then we are here to support you. We have an amazing network of mentors and experts who can help you bring your vision to life and reach your goals sooner. And at the end of the program one team will receive the $50,000 Hatch Grant!

Testimonials

Xlyo Systems

Founder Camille Goldstone-Henry, finalist in the 2021 program.

Carapac

Founder Kimberly Bolton, winner of the 2021 program.

REASONS YOU SHOULD JOIN

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Funding

Receive $2,000 in equity free seed funding, potential to receive no strings attached $50,000 grant for overall winner and $5,000 for the People’s Choice Award Winner.

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Mentors

1-on-1 bespoke support with amazing mentors and experts with skills from across the startup, environment, business and for-purpose arenas

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Professional Support

Personalised guidance from Impact Boom and Taronga's in-house experts in conservation, sustainability and education

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Investor Readiness

Work with investors, experts and trainers to develop your perfect pitch and receive a free 3min professional pitch video valued at $2000

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Upskilling and Masterclasses

Learn from the best in the business about every aspect of your startup and grow as a founder, during our weekly masterclasses and immersive workshops. Valued at $30,000

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Alumni Support

Join our alumni network providing exclusive trade benefits, events and continuous collaboration and promotion opportunities

Program Dates

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Applications Close

28 January 2024

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Program Starts

19 March 2024

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Weekly Sessions

Tuesdays 5pm-7pm AEDT

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Immersive One

11-13 April 2024

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Immersive Two

2-4 May 2024

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Pitch Event

19 June 2024

Program Structure

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Online Workshops

Weekly online workshops (Tuesdays 5-7pm AEDT)

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Immersive Workshops

Two immersive workshops onsite at Taronga Zoo Sydney (2.5 days each)

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Digital Modules

Develop your skills further with bespoke digital resources and modules created by Impact Boom

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Peer-to-Peer Support

Access to online community and peer support opportunities

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Mentors and Subject Matter Experts

Weekly meetings with your own Team Mentor and opportunities to connect with Subject Matter Experts

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Pitch Event

Pitch your initiative onsite at Taronga Zoo Sydney to a panel of experts and broader startup community

Who's This For?

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Early-stage Social Enterprises or Not-for-profits or those working towards this structure

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Ecoprenures who have a thorough understanding of the environment issue they are addressing

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Early-stage startups who have completed a Business Model Canvas/Social Business Canavs and prototyping

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Founders who have the relevant technical skills to bring your idea to life

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Ability to bring a collaborative attitude and flexible mindset

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Australian citizen or Permanent residents, 18 years and over

Meet our Mentors

FAQs

A: Think of an accelerator as similar to a University or TAFE unit – a structured, fixed term development program. However, the purpose of an accelerator program is not only to educate, but to help participants to develop and refine their initiative or business venture. During the Hatch program, you will undertake education sessions, peer collaboration, and have access to mentors from a range of different expertise. You will also undertake work on your game changing initiative or product for the planet in your own time. Accelerators often provide seed capital to participants as well. Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program will provide $2,000 to each participating team. At the end of the structured program, participants will pitch their ideas to a panel of experts. The panel will provide feedback and determine which initiative or product is the overall winner and recipient of the $50,000 major funding.

A: To support Ecopreneurs to take their initiative from vision to reality. If you are a not-for-profit or social enterprise founder with a venture that will drive positive change for wildlife and the environment, we have an amazing network of mentors and experts who can help you bring your vision to life and reach your goals sooner.

A: We are seeking brilliant initiatives that can make a significant positive impact on wildlife conservation and/or the environment in Australia, and are/will be established as a not for profit or social enterprise organisation. Applicants for the Accelerator Program are required to demonstrate: A thorough understanding of the issue you are addressing, Relevant technical skills to bring your idea to life (or the ability to source and partner with others with the required skills), A completed Business Model Canvas / Social Business Canvas, and Results of a first round of market testing for your initiative. You are likely at the start of your financial journey using funding from your own pocket and personal connections, and looking forward to a time when you can start to bring in revenue/funding to support your venture into the future.

A: The program will be a mix of face-to-face immersive workshops held at Taronga Zoo Sydney, weekly online sessions that you attend from anywhere, and working on your initiative in your own time. The program will culminate with the Pitch Event onsite at Taronga Zoo Sydney – an exciting opportunity for you to showcase your initiative to the public and when we will announce the recipient of the Hatch Grant. The program will support you to: Effectively communicate the problem you are addressing and how your solution drives positive impact, Complete market validation for your initiative, Develop marketing and digital resources to promote your initiative, and Develop your business plan for next 12 months.

A: The Accelerator Program provides participating teams with $30,000 of value per team at little cost. This is a fantastic opportunity for early-stage startups and includes: $2,000 seed funding for each team participating in the program (at zero equity); A blended approach of face-to-face workshops, online sessions and digital modules to provide you with the knowledge to develop your initiative; Flights and accommodation for participants; and expert learning, guidance and support from mentors and subject matter experts including Taronga experts, industry professionals, and not-for-profit and social enterprise leaders. Participating teams also have the opportunity to receive up to $50,000 equity free at the final Pitch Event to bring your brilliant idea to life!

A: The structured elements of this program are: Immersive One – a two day/two night intensive in Sydney; Immersive Two – a two day/two night intensive in Sydney; Weekly online workshop sessions; Final Pitch Event – a one and a half day/two night event in Sydney. Participants are required to attend both immersives and the final pitch event in full, and 90% of the weekly workshops. Participants are also expected to work on their initiatives outside of the structured program sessions. If you have an existing clash with any of the program dates, you will have the opportunity to note this in the application form.

A: Please see further details about eligibility and application process in the Q&A section.

A: All team members are required to attend the two immersive retreats and final pitch event in full (subject to conditions). Weekly workshop attendance is also mandatory however can be shared amongst team members, to be discussed and agreed with the Hatch program team.

A: At this stage the program is due to run every 12 months, and the next Accelerator Program will run from March to June 2025. If you are interested to participate in the Accelerator Program, please register your interest on the main Hatch Home page, and we will get in touch to let you know when applications open.

A: We are excited that you will become part of the Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program alumni, and we look forward to keeping in touch with you as you continue to develop your brilliant initiatives! The funding recipient will receive post-program support from Taronga to support you in the next stage of implementation.

A: Accommodation, flights and some food will be funded by the Hatch program. We want to make our program open and accessible to all potential applicants, so do not require any fee for application or participation. The program will cover the majority of travel expenses for participating individuals/teams based outside of Sydney and accommodation costs for Sydney based founders. Participants may need to pay some personal, food and travel expenses.

A: Yes! All finalists will receive $2,000 per team in equity-free seed funding to support their idea development – this will be made available part way through the program once set milestones are met. The main grant of up to $50,000 will be awarded to one chosen finalist at the end of the program to implement their brilliant initiative and $5,000 awarded to People’s Choice Award Winner.

If you're ready to fast track your business for good, places are limited and selection is merit based. To be a part of the next Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program - APPLY TODAY!

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We proudly Acknowledge the Cammeraigal (Taronga Zoo, Sydney) and Wiradjuri (Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo) people, their Country, spirit and traditions as customary owners of the lands upon which our Zoos stand

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