We’re excited to announce that applications are now open for the next intake of the Plus Eight Pre-Accelerator program, taking place at the Western Sydney Startup Hub from August to October 2025.
Delivered by Spacecubed and made possible by Investment NSW, this program is free and accessible to those residing or operating in the 14 local government areas of Western Sydney and is designed to support early-stage startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs in developing their business ideas, building a strong foundation, and gaining the skills needed to grow and scale.
Here’s what successful applicants can expect from the program:
Weekly masterclasses
Held every Tuesday from 4:30pm – 6:30pm over six weeks, these engaging sessions will be led by startup expert Caroline Lepron and cover key topics essential to building a successful business. Each week, you’ll dive into hands-on content and walk away with real-world assignments to apply your learning. You'll also gain access to a rotating lineup of mentors offering tailored advice, industry insight, and practical support.
Build your network
Meet like-minded founders also going through the program who you can learn, collaborate and grow with. This program will open up doors to connect with mentors, investors and advisors, give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local startup community, and access complimentary tickets to regular networking and business growth events at the Western Sydney Startup Hub.
Coworking access
Another key benefit of the program includes a Full-Time Coworking membership at the Western Sydney Startup Hub. This allows you to further develop your work outside of the sessions in North Parramatta’s premium workspace, as well as access onsite meeting rooms and many more Spacecubed member benefits.
Pitch night
Showcase your startup at our end of program Pitch Night in October to a crowd of like-minded founders, investors and supporters. This will be your opportunity to share the business you have developed over the course of the program, gain exposure and celebrate your achievements. Plus, there will be plenty of prizes up for grabs to help you continue your journey and accelerate your business towards success.
Reflecting on her time in the 2024 Pre-Accelerator program, Cheyanne Carter, founder of Divergent Education and winner of last year’s Pitch Night, shared how the experience helped shape her journey building the EduBuddy platform.
“The mentorship, workshops, and structured approach helped me refine my business model and strategy while connecting me with a community of successful founders and industry experts.”
Since then, Cheyanne has appeared on national television twice, featuring on ABC’s Four Corners and 7:30pm News Report speaking to the workforce crisis in early education, as well as appearing in various publications such as the Australian Financial Review, championing innovation and reform in early childhood education.
EduBuddy now has 650 users nationally with the platform answering hundreds of compliance and regulation questions each week, helping educators feel more confident, capable, and less overwhelmed.
If you're an innovator based in Western Sydney looking to explore, validate or grow a business idea, this is your chance to take the next step.
Applications are open now until August 7, 2025, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to build the foundations of your startup with the support of experienced mentors, a like-minded community, and expert-led sessions. Click here to learn more and get started on your application!