Students at UNSW Founders
We provide Students with the knowledge and skills to create their own pathway to impact through entrepreneurship and startups.
From events, hackathons and workshops, to 1:1 coaching and more, UNSW Founders wants to help students (you) get out of the classroom and build a startup. We support you from the very beginnings of exploring what your options are - through to execution.
View our offerings below, or join our Coach & Connect program to book a personalised 1:1 coaching session today to unlock your full potential.
Peter Farrell Cup
Most prestigious startup idea pitch competition
The Peter Farrell Cup is UNSW’s most prestigious startup idea pitch competition, helping students and HDR candidates become the next generation of entrepreneurs. The program helps you to take your idea from inception to pitch night with our support, guidance and the chance to share in a $100,000 cash prize pool.
New Wave
Empowers women to build entrepreneurial skills launch businesses.
New Wave offers UNSW students, staff and alumni who identify as women, at the earlier stages of their entrepreneurial journey, access to skill-building workshops, startup coaches, and industry-leading mentors. New Waves runs twice annually, with an in-person and online version. Apply for the next cohort today!
GENE1500
Undergraduate Entrepreneurship course for UNSW students.
Entrepreneurship is best learnt through first-hand experience. Creative Entrepreneurship (GENE1500) aims to provide practical experience to teach students the foundational skillset necessary to embark on an entrepreneurial venture with real-world impact. GENE1500 is offered in Summer Term, Term 1, Term 2, and Term 3.
UNSW Founders Chief Student Entrepreneur
The UNSW Founders Chief Student Entrepreneur role
This role is here to celebrate and empower UNSW's next wave of startup leaders. If you're passionate about entrepreneurship, inspiring others and making an impact, this is your chance to lead, create, and shape the future of innovation at UNSW. Remember, we’re the #1 Entrepreneurial university in Australia!
Plug & Play Program
Venture Capital Program for Students
At UNSW Founders, we’re dedicated to connection UNSW Students with world class entrepreneurial experiences and opportunities. That’s why we’ve partnered with Plug and Play, one of the world leading venture capital firms globally, to offer current UNSW students an exclusive chance to learn about venture capital (VC) investment directly from the experts.
Makerspace
Join a community of innovators creating their first prototype using world-class tools and methods.
Learn from the experts and earn digital badges to showcase your skills and access all that our Makerspace has to offer. From arduinos, 3D printing and CNC machines, our Makerspace is the place to build your ideas. Complete a Makerspace Safety Induction to get started today!
Hult Prize
Discover the potential of social enterprise with Hult Prize supported by UNSW Founders.
The Hult Prize is a global social enterprise competition for university students. It is focused on helping the brightest future leaders put their energy into solving the biggest issues facing the planet, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The Founders team is here to help you tackle any idea you have for a social enterprise, as long as it is world-changing and aligned with at least one UN SDG.
Foundational Workshops
If you’re new to entrepreneurship, Foundations is the place to begin.
At our events, workshops, hackathons and for-credit courses you’ll learn entrepreneurship from first principles, earn digital badges and meet potential co-founders! You’ll also have access to our Founders Online Community, and a range of services including Coach & Connect.
Events & Workshops
Link up with likeminded people at our events and workshops.
Whether you’re just curious about entrepreneurship or at a more advanced stage, our events can help you learn, focus and grow all year-round with likeminded people. From hackathons to technical workshops or fireside chats, we’ve got you covered.
Startup Year
Learn how to start a company with APAC’s #1 Entrepreneurial University
Our programs are the best resources for first-time founders. Stay accountable for weekly progress, build network and skills to excel in the startup world. 30-Week Curriculum: 2 Weekly after-hours online lectures, 1 Weekly Intensive On-Campus Day, Unlimited 1:1 startup coaching for free forever, Get advise from 50+ startup founders, domain experts and coaches. It’s for people at the early stages of building a startup.
Unsure what’s next for you? Book a 1:1 call with a coach!
Our coaches will guide you in the right direction based on your stage and ambition!