GIA Melbourne Acceleration Programme

For Singapore-based tech startups looking to expand into Australia through Melbourne.

Connects Singapore companies with in-market partners and opportunities to test and commercialise their solutions.

Apply now

About this programme

Organised by Haymarket HQ, the GIA Melbourne Acceleration Programme is aimed at Singapore startups looking to expand into Australia.

Here is what you can expect of the programme:

Nine Weeks of Virtual Acceleration
The programme will kick off with eight weeks of virtual acceleration, consisting of virtual workshops, networking sessions, 1:1 mentor consultations and business development support.

Conducted by leading industry insiders in Australia, the virtual workshops will equip you with the essentials of how to market, finance, sell and recruit in Australia.

Each participating company will be assigned an Industry Mentor, who is uniquely qualified to support your expansion efforts to Australia. Companies have five sessions with these mentors that can be arranged at their flexibility.

To maximise your odds of success in Australia, Haymarket HQ will begin facilitating introductions to potential clients and partners to you at this stage.

One Week of Pre-Market Preparation
Before you make your way into Australia, Haymarket HQ will help you tailor your pitch to an Australian audience with the help of a professional Australian pitch coach.

Participants can also expect to participate in a networking event and be connected to the Australian business community, relevant government representatives and programme alumni.

Two Weeks of In-Market Experience in Australia
During the final two weeks of the programme, startups will participate in an immersive orientation to the Australian ecosystem. The first week will take place across Sydney and Melbourne. Participants can expect an itinerary packed with networking opportunities, industry briefings, and in-person meetings with potential clients, partners, and investors. The second (optional) week will be for companies looking to explore opportunities in other parts of Australia.

Ten Weeks of Post-Programme Support
After the trip, companies can leverage Haymarket HQ’s extensive support to build on their initial traction in Australia. Companies can work from Haymarket HQ’s co-working space, continue mentor consultation and get further customised support from Haymarket HQ.

About Haymarket HQ

Haymarket HQ is an established startup accelerator. In 2016, they began as a startup incubator and coworking space. In 2018, Haymarket HQ began offering advisory and innovation and trade programmes to help companies expand into new markets.

Since then, they have supported a large variety of businesses, from tech companies to wineries, expand all across the Asia Pacific.

Key features

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    Curated 1:1 Mentorship

    Each company will be paired with a qualified industry mentor to support their Australian expansion efforts. They provide companies with go-to-market advice and facilitate further connections to potential clients, partners and investors.

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    Interactive Advisory Sessions
    Engage in interactive sessions with successful founders and alumni to gain practical insights on how to break into the Australian market. 
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    In-market Immersion
    Participants will embark on a physical immersion to the two key economic hubs of Australia - Sydney and Melbourne. They will meet with key players in their sector and gain a deeper understanding of the local ecosystem.
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    Extensive Post-Programme Support
    Participants will retain access to HHQ and its extensive network of corporates, mentors, and investors. They can also work out of Haymarket HQ’s Sydney co-working space for up to 5 months to double down on their initial traction.

Eligibility

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    Company has at least 30% local equity held directly or indirectly by Singaporean(s) and/or Singapore PR(s), determined by the ultimate individual ownership
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    Has a minimum viable product with existing customers and/or partners
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    Sufficient resources (e.g. stable funding and team)

How to apply

Applications for the GIA Melbourne Acceleration Programme are now open.

The next cohort will commence in March 2025. Submit your registration here by 17 February 2025.

Still thinking of what programme to participate in?
Submit your interest and EnterpriseSG will reach out to you when an opportunity arises for the relevant Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) programmes.
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GIA Melbourne Acceleration Programme

Apply now