Federation University’s Pre-Accelerator for Regional Victoria (FPRV)

The Federation University Pre-Accelerator is a 14-week, cohort-based entrepreneurship program designed to help researchers, students, and regional innovators transform early-stage ideas into validated, market-ready opportunities. Delivered in person at Federation University’s SMB Campus in Ballarat, the program provides structured support through weekly masterclasses, mentoring, customer discovery, and guided pitch development.

Participants will learn to shape strong value propositions, understand target markets, test assumptions, and build the confidence and capability needed to progress toward commercialisation or accelerator-readiness. Founders will be part of a supportive community, gain access to industry mentors, and use practical tools applied in successful startups.

The program is ideal for early-stage founders seeking clarity, structure, and expert guidance in a low-risk environment. At the final showcase, teams will pitch for $20,000 in total prize funding, designed to help the most promising founders further advance their ideas and prepare for future growth or investment opportunities.