NSW Boosts Support to Tap Diverse Startup Talent

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to build a more inclusive and dynamic innovation economy, with four additional providers announced under the second round of the Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program.

The Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program provides training, mentoring and early-stage support to help founders refine ideas, build capability and take the first steps towards commercialisation.

The new providers will support more founders from under-represented groups to turn their innovative ideas into growth-ready businesses across NSW.

The organisations will deliver tailored programs for First Nations founders, people with disability and culturally and linguistically diverse communities across NSW.

The additional four organisations that will deliver targeted support across 2025/26 and 2026/27 are:

This builds on the Minns Labor Government's April announcement of the University of Newcastle and the University of NSW as program partners, who will support more than 200 women entrepreneurs.

Delivering on a key action of the NSW Innovation Blueprint, the Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program is helping build a stronger pipeline of diverse founders by expanding access to early-stage support across NSW.

For more information on the Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/innovation/grants-and-programs/diversitypreaccelerator

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:

"For too long, talented people have been locked out of the innovation economy. The Minns Labor Government is working to change that.

"We're backing people from all backgrounds - including First Nations people, people with disability and those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities - to turn great ideas into businesses, jobs and opportunities across NSW.

"This program is delivering on the NSW Innovation Blueprint by backing more people to participate in innovation and turning good ideas into real economic opportunities.

"This is about making our innovation system fairer, stronger and focused on delivering real economic outcomes for the state."

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

"This program is another demonstration of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to supporting and empowering Aboriginal innovators to grow their business.

"NSW is unique in having a Closing the Gap Priority Reform 5, which specifically focuses on Aboriginal economic prosperity, employment and nurturing businesses and the expansion of the Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program is a great example of this priority in action.

"Our Government is proud to work in partnership with Aboriginal founders and entrepreneurs to support their success and growth.

"When the Aboriginal business sector is strong, it delivers prosperity and lasting change to help Close the Gap for Aboriginal people and benefit broader communities throughout NSW."

Dean Foley, Managing Director, Barayamal said:

"First Nations founders bring deep knowledge, creativity and leadership to the innovation economy.

"Too many First Nations founders have strong ideas but face barriers to the networks, capital and support that help businesses grow.

"This program is one practical step toward fairer access to startup support, networks and early resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs across NSW."

Leanne Coventry, Manager, Community Impact, First Nations Economics said:

"First Nations women already demonstrate strong innovation and entrepreneurial capability, but many continue to face barriers accessing business support, networks and opportunities.

"This program will provide culturally grounded support to strengthen confidence, capability, and connections, while creating clearer pathways into innovation and entrepreneurship.

"We're proud to partner with the NSW Government to support First Nations women to grow ideas, build enterprises and participate in long-term economic prosperity."

Usman Iftikhar, CEO Catalysr said:

"We are proud to partner with the NSW Government to support founders from migrant, refugee and international student backgrounds, who we call 'migrapreneurs' to build their startup in NSW and create a prosperous future for the state.

"This initiative will help more people from our diverse communities turn their startup ideas into scalable businesses by providing the right knowledge, networks and support from day one of their journey."

Pete Horsley, Founder, Remarkable said:

"Disability always has been and always will be a massive driver of innovation. At Remarkable, we design with, not for, people with disability, because founders with disability are the experts in the problems they're solving.

"Through this program, we can offer NSW founders with lived experience of disability free, accessible, practical support, so they can turn great ideas into sustainable ventures."