Are you an early-stage founder ready to validate your idea, build traction, and connect with Perth’s startup ecosystem? Applications are now open for the Plus Eight Pre-Accelerator, proudly supported by the City of Perth.
Kicking off this September, the six-week program is designed for entrepreneurs looking to transform bold ideas into scalable businesses. Participants will gain access to expert mentors, hands-on content, and a supportive peer community, all while learning practical skills across business modelling, product development, marketing, legal and IP, and pitching.
Whether you're refining an MVP, finding product-market fit, or building out your go-to-market strategy, this program delivers the structure, support and accountability you need to move forward faster.
Thanks to the generous support of the City of Perth, paid positions, partial scholarships, and fully funded scholarships are available, making it an accessible, high-impact opportunity for local early-stage founders.
What to expect:
Each week, participants will explore a new focus area through part-time, after-hours sessions held at Riff, including:
- Business model development & strategy
- Customer research, validation & product testing
- Prototyping & Minimum Lovable Product design
- Marketing & early traction strategies
- Team building, mindset & legal foundations
- Fundraising, pitching & growth planning
The program culminates in an end of program Pitch Night, where founders present their business to an audience of mentors, investors, and the local startup community.
Facilitated by Britney Victor, a seasoned leader with a strong track record of helping startups achieve their business growth goals, the Pre-Accelerator combines structured learning with real-world application, giving founders both the knowledge and confidence to take their next step.
Discussing this year’s program, Britney shared, “Every founder in this program brings something bold and uniquely valuable to the table. This Sprint isn’t just about building better businesses, it’s about equipping each founder with the tools, confidence, and clarity to take action and grow with purpose. I’m really excited to support this year’s cohort.”
For the team behind InPsync, the Pre-Accelerator was a game-changer. Co-Founder Morgan Becker shared, “We had just started working on the idea and were looking for ways to set the business up for success. The program gave us structure, momentum, and access to a network of mentors and like-minded founders that we still lean on today. It helped us stop spinning our wheels and start making real, intentional progress.”
Since completing the program last year, they’ve since joined the Accelerator (Plus Eight's six month seed-funded program), building on the foundations they developed early on. “We went from two friends with a big idea to co-founders with a solid plan. Having that base — our business model, pitch, and early validation — meant we could hit the ground running. If you’re thinking about applying, I’d say do it. You’ll gain clarity, direction, and a genuine sense of connection with the Perth startup community.” Morgan added.
Whether you're launching something new or refining an early concept, the Plus Eight Pre-Accelerator is your chance to gain clarity, connect with a like-minded community, and start building with momentum.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the next Pre-Accelerator cohort. Click here to learn more and apply, before applications close on August 25, 2025.
