ThincLab

ThincLab is the University of Adelaide's esteemed business incubator, headquartered in Adelaide, Australia, with a mission to empower entrepreneurs in transforming innovative ideas into tangible impact. Established in 1993 at the Thebarton Research Precinct, it holds the distinction of being Australia's longest-running university business incubator, initially focused on assisting students in establishing businesses while pursuing entrepreneurship studies. Relaunched in July 2017 and relocated to the city centre, ThincLab significantly expanded its remit to include entrepreneurs from other universities and the broader community, alongside its core support for students, staff, and alumni in commercialising their innovations.

The entity serves a diverse cohort, from early-stage ventures refining their Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to scaling companies with established customers and revenue, and even mature businesses preparing for expansion or exit. ThincLab provides a dynamic environment, offering tailored coaching, expert guidance, and access to a rich ecosystem of mentors, investors, and experienced entrepreneurs. Its comprehensive suite of programs, including eChallenge, Tech eChallenge, ThincHer, ThincStart, ThincSeed (Pre-Accelerator and Accelerator), ThincScale, and ThincGrowth, are designed to support founders across all stages of their entrepreneurial journey.

What sets ThincLab apart is its deep understanding of new venture incubation and growth acceleration, garnered from cumulative decades of operational experience. It fosters a collaborative, knowledge-rich community that provides consistent in-person learning, support, and invaluable networking opportunities. Beyond its Adelaide headquarters, which houses over 70 startups, ThincLab operates an international network with locations in Waite, Loxton, Singapore, New Zealand, and France, strengthening global collaboration. ThincLab Waite specifically focuses on startups in the agricultural technology, food, and wine sectors.

ThincLab boasts a robust record of key achievements and has been instrumental in the success of numerous ventures. Notable startups that have emerged from its programs include Inovor Technologies, which launched Australia’s first domestically built satellite in over 15 years; Taboo, producing organic sanitary products for women; and ResVu, a CRM platform for property and community management, which secured significant funding and expanded to the US. Recent successes include markup.one, an AI startup founded by Adelaide University alumni, accepted into Y Combinator and securing USD $500,000 in investment. The Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) has also provided significant funding, awarding ThincLab $549,000 over three years to support nearly 90 startups through its ThincSeed program.

Leadership at ThincLab is multifaceted, with Zrinka Tokic serving as the Director for ThincLab Adelaide and its international nodes in Singapore, Chalons (France), Waite, and New Zealand. Other key team members include Isabelle Benton, who leads the ThincHer program, focusing on women's leadership and entrepreneurship, and Sabina Zeynalova, a Program Manager designing and delivering entrepreneurship programs like the eChallenge. The institution benefits from a dedicated team of experts committed to connecting founders with industry leaders and fostering impactful ventures.