A new wave of female founders is being backed by the Minns Labor Government, with the first round of the $4 million Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program now open.
The Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program, designed to provide training and mentoring to help participants refine their ideas, grow their businesses and seek investment, is now open.
Despite evidence showing that diversity improves organisational performance, women remain underrepresented across NSW's innovation landscape.
This first round will focus on female founders in the NSW innovation ecosystem. The programs will help early-stage, women-owned startups to hone foundational skills across communication, business model development and minimum viable product preparation, preparing them for market entry and growth.
Two organisations have been appointed to deliver tailored programs across 2025/26 and 2026/27:
- University of Newcastle (Integrated Innovation Network - I2N) will deliver a two-stage program supporting up to 188 women founders across NSW, combining early founder readiness with a more intensive pre-accelerator phase and showcase opportunities.
- University of NSW (UNSW Founders) will support at least 20 women and culturally diverse health innovators across Greater Western Sydney and regional NSW, with a focus on foundational skills building, tailored coaching and clear pathways to scale-up programs.
Additional providers will be announced soon, continuing to deliver on a key action of the NSW Innovation Blueprint by focusing on diversity, including support for First Nations people, people with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse founders.
In her review of the NSW innovation ecosystem, which informed the Innovation Blueprint, former CEO of the Tech Council of Australia, Kate Pounder, found that diversity is an asset for innovation.
While NSW is the highest ranked start-up ecosystem in the Southern Hemisphere, the Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program is designed to help ensure that people with great ideas - regardless of background or location - have access to the skills, networks and confidence to commercialise their ideas.
For more information on the Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/innovation/grants-and-programs/diversitypreaccelerator
Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:
"There is no shortage of brilliant ideas among the women of the Hunter - what's been missing is the backing to turn them into businesses and that's what this helps to deliver.
"Talent shouldn't depend on postcode. You shouldn't have to leave the Hunter to be taken seriously, and this program proves you don't.
"I want to see more women backing themselves and sometimes all it takes is the right support at the right time to make that happen which is why today's announcement is so important."
Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"The NSW Innovation Blueprint makes it clear that diversity is not just a 'nice to have' - it's essential to building a stronger, more resilient innovation ecosystem in our state.
"The Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program is about backing talent wherever it exists, breaking down barriers that prevent under‑represented founders from turning ideas into viable businesses.
"This first round will equip women-owned startups - who receive as little as seven per cent of venture capital - with the foundational skills they need for market entry and growth.
"This is exactly the kind of practical, on-the-ground delivery that will support more people across NSW to participate in innovation, create jobs and help build a better NSW."
Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison said:
"The Minns Government is working to empower women to dream big, start up and run their own businesses.
"Many women have fantastic business ideas, and the Diversity Pre-Accelerator program could be just the boost they need to turn them into something more.
"Increasing the proportion of small businesses owned by women supports diversity, economic growth and social progress."
University of Newcastle Vice‑Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, said:
"The University of Newcastle is proud to partner with the NSW Government on this important program, which will strengthen pathways for more women to participate in innovation and entrepreneurship across the state.
"Our I2N program is the number one startup accelerator in the country, supporting more than 180 startups. It shows that with the right high-quality innovation support, entrepreneurship can thrive.
"This partnership means we can provide more support to women founders across the state and highlights the vital role universities play in collaborating with government to deliver practical outcomes - supporting founders, strengthening regions and driving long‑term economic opportunity across NSW."
UNSW Founders Senior Manager (Entrepreneurship) Dina Titkova said:
"Our program will play a critical role in broadening participation in health innovation by supporting women and culturally diverse founders, particularly those developing impactful health solutions in Greater Western Sydney and regional NSW.
"We're excited to partner with the NSW Government to help founders build strong foundations and clear pathways to scale."
