NSW FLIP Program Supports Women Entrepreneurs (Australia)

Deadline: 20-Sep-2026

The NSW FLIP Pre-Accelerator Intensive is a free nine-week program designed to support women across New South Wales (NSW) who are developing business ideas, solving problems in their communities, or looking to grow as founders. The program helps participants validate business ideas, strengthen leadership skills, build confidence, and develop practical capabilities in pitching and business development. FLIP is open to eligible women founders and problem solvers across NSW, regardless of university affiliation, with all program costs covered through the NSW Government Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program in partnership with the MacDougall Foundation.

About the NSW FLIP Program

FLIP was created to address a gap in support for women founders across New South Wales. The program recognises that many women are already solving problems, developing ideas, and creating positive change in their communities without necessarily identifying themselves as entrepreneurs. Through its Pre-Accelerator Intensive, FLIP provides participants with a structured environment to explore their ideas and develop the skills and confidence needed to take their projects or businesses forward. What Is the FLIP Pre-Accelerator Intensive? The FLIP Pre-Accelerator Intensive is a nine-week program featuring immersive workshops and weekly pod coaching. The program is designed to help participants: - Validate their business ideas. - Understand their customers. - Develop sustainable business models. - Learn about startup finance. - Strengthen leadership capabilities. - Improve communication skills. - Build confidence in pitching. - Develop storytelling skills. - Strengthen resilience. - Grow as founders. The combination of workshops and weekly coaching provides participants with both structured learning and ongoing peer support. Customer Validation Customer validation is one of the core areas covered by the programme. Participants learn how to explore whether their business idea addresses a genuine customer problem or need. This helps founders move beyond assumptions and develop a clearer understanding of the people they are seeking to serve. Business Model Development The program also includes workshops on business models. Participants can use these sessions to better understand how their ideas can be developed into viable businesses and how different elements of their proposed venture fit together. Business model development is particularly useful for founders who have identified a problem but are still working out how to structure a sustainable solution. Startup Finance Understanding finance is another important component of the Pre-Accelerator Intensive. Dedicated sessions on startup finance help participants develop greater awareness of the financial considerations involved in building a business. This provides women founders with practical knowledge they can use as they progress from an early-stage idea toward business development. Leadership Development FLIP places strong emphasis on leadership development. The program includes dedicated sessions covering authentic leadership, communication, and resilience. These sessions are designed to support both personal and professional development and help participants build the confidence required to lead their ideas and businesses. Authentic Leadership The program encourages participants to develop an authentic approach to leadership. Rather than focusing only on traditional business skills, FLIP recognises the importance of personal leadership and confidence in helping women become effective founders. Participants can explore their own leadership strengths while developing the ability to communicate their ideas effectively. Communication and Storytelling Effective communication is an important part of developing and pitching a business idea. FLIP includes sessions focused on communication and storytelling, helping participants become more confident in explaining their ideas and connecting with audiences. Storytelling can also help founders communicate the problem they are addressing, the solution they are developing, and the impact they hope to achieve. Pitching and Business Development Building confidence in pitching is another key objective of the programme. Participants can develop their ability to present their ideas clearly and communicate their value proposition. The program combines pitching development with broader business development skills, providing a foundation for women who want to move their ideas forward. Weekly Pod Coaching In addition to immersive workshops, participants receive weekly pod coaching. The pod structure creates an ongoing environment where participants can receive support while progressing through the nine-week program. It also provides opportunities to learn alongside other women who are developing businesses or working on solutions to problems in their communities. A Supportive Community of Women Founders

Participants become part of a cohort of women founders from across NSW

This creates opportunities for peer learning, collaboration, networking, and mutual support. Being part of a cohort can also help participants connect with other women who are at different stages of developing their ideas and businesses. FLIP Alumni Network The support does not necessarily end when the nine-week intensive finishes. Participants gain access to the FLIP alumni network, providing ongoing community and networking opportunities. The alumni network can help participants maintain connections with other women founders and continue building their professional networks after completing the program. Who Can Participate? The program is open to eligible women founders and problem solvers across New South Wales. FLIP is designed to recognise that entrepreneurship can take many forms and that women may already be creating solutions and leading change without formally identifying as entrepreneurs. The program is therefore relevant to women who are deve