RMIT Activator

RMIT Activator, established in 2016, serves as RMIT University's dynamic hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, dedicated to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and supporting the creation and growth of new ventures. The entity offers a comprehensive suite of programs structured across three streams: 'Learn' for entrepreneurial skill development, 'Innovate' which includes bootcamps and hackathons like Sandbox to progress ideas to formation, and 'Launch', encompassing accelerator programs such as LaunchHUB and VentureHUB designed for establishing and scaling new businesses. Its mission is to deliver impactful outcomes through entrepreneurship, actively engaging a diverse array of stakeholders including students, staff, and alumni of RMIT, as well as aspiring founders, startups, and organisations committed to driving meaningful change.

A key differentiator for RMIT Activator is its strategic leveraging of open innovation and an iterative, agile methodology that places a strong emphasis on customer-centric approaches and co-creation. The Activator operates from a dedicated Melbourne CBD location, maintaining direct links to the Vice-Chancellor to facilitate swift decision-making, distinguishing it from the university's main campus while fostering strong partnerships with RMIT Colleges. RMIT Activator is recognised as Australia's ESG Rising Star by UBI Global Innovation for Business Incubators and Accelerators, underscoring its commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles.

Since its inception, RMIT Activator has achieved significant milestones. It has cultivated a vibrant community of nearly 5,000 members and supported over 60 enterprises by 2018, with 41 of these ventures collectively securing $955,000 in funding during that period. More recently, Activator has awarded over $3.1 million in pre-seed funding to startups through its Activator Capital Fund and the Jacques Nasser Fund for Innovation. The organisation proudly reports launching over 170 startups into the market through its various programs, with a notable 49% of these being founded or co-founded by women. It has also forged collaborations with over 19 industry and government organisations, further amplifying its reach and impact. Leadership roles have seen contributions from individuals such as Matt Salier (Director, 2019) and Margaret Ledwith (Director, 2021), with Jennifer Mulyawan and Caitlin Phillips-Peddlesden currently listed as key staff within RMIT Activator.

One of the most appealing aspects for founders is RMIT Activator's policy that neither it nor its partners take any equity stake or intellectual property (IP) from participating ventures. This approach is designed to foster a supportive ecosystem where innovation can thrive without the burden of relinquishing ownership. The Activator's programs, such as LaunchHUB and VentureHUB, cater to various stages of startup development, from idea validation to scaling, offering masterclasses, dedicated coaching, and access to a network of advisors and industry experts.