Wade Institute

Here's to another incredible year of ideas, changemakers, creative brainstorms, founders and investors. It was all made possible by you, our amazing community. We’ll see you in 2026 (for our 10th birthday! 🎂 🎉).

We had such a ball at Showcase Pitch Night 2025. Five startup teams pitched their ideas to a packed crowd and an incredible judging panel. And the energy was electric! After a series of inspiring presentations, only one team could emerge as the Major Winner. Drum roll please…

Major Winner:
🧠 Neuroverse - founded by Kaushal Reddy Ottem was the star of the night, winning both the Main Prize and the People’s Choice Award with his very personal mission to improve brain injury recovery.

Runner Up:
💳 Congratulations to co-founders Effie Cinanni and Kat de Clifford who took home the Runner-Up Prize, impressing the judges with their edtech platform for youth financial literacy for kids 6-12.

We’re also deeply grateful to our exceptional judging panel:
✨ Michael Poisel - Executive Director, Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre
✨ Paloma Newton - Co-founder & CEO, Elita
✨ Penny Hua - Senior Manager (SME Inbound), Airwallex.

A huge thank you to our incredible community for joining us in-person and online, and for your ongoing support of Wade Institute and the Master of Entrepreneurship 🧡

Our unforgettable night of big ideas and brave founders is back, it's time for Showcase Pitch Night 2025 💡✨

Watch Master of Entrepreneurship students pitch their ideas live to a panel of judges and a room full of supporters. You’ll get to vote in the People’s Choice Award, meet inspiring founders, and network over food and drinks.

🗓 Wed 29 Oct, 6-9pm AEDT
📍 Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship, 49 College Crescent, Parkville
🎁 Join us in person for your chance to win a Master of Entrepreneurship Taster Pack worth $300+

🎟️ Link in bio to register!

A fantastic evening marking the launch of the VC Catalyst October 2025 program!

We’re excited to welcome another talented and diverse group of investors to our community — and it's exciting to see a particularly strong representation of women in this cohort.

The energy, curiosity, and connections in the room made for an inspiring start. Here’s to an incredible program ahead, and to welcoming this new cohort into the VC Catalyst and Wade Institute community! 🧡💥



🌟

🚀 Every great startup begins with a problem worth solving 🚀

At this free event, you’ll:
✨ Hear from founders who turned challenges into ventures
🧩 Sharpen your problem-solving skills in interactive sessions
🤝 Connect with people who share your passion for innovation

Whether you’re dreaming of a startup or want to drive innovation inside an organisation, you’ll leave with fresh tools, inspiration, and connections to take the next step.

🗓️ Tuesday 7 October, 5:30–7:30pm
📍 Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship

Link in bio to register →

STARTUP EVENT 🧡 🎤
Go along to the Airwallex x MEC Student Startup Competition Finals, eight student teams will pitch their boldest ideas live. It’s a chance to see the next wave of entrepreneurs in action, and maybe even spot your future co-founder (or investment)!

📅 Monday 22 Sept
⏰ 6.00pm
📍 Melbourne Connect

Backed by Airwallex and Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre, this event showcases the creativity and ambition driving the next generation of founders.

👉 Learn more and register -> https://bit.ly/3JUWsyE

Ready to redefine your future? It’s in your hands, let’s get started! ✨⭐️💫

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Melbourne Connect's Innovation Week for our panel on entrepreneurship and innovation. We loved seeing so many curious, ambitious faces in the room.

A special thanks to our panellists and moderator, including, Jodie Imam (Co-Founder & CEO, Tractor Ventures), Andrew Rowse (Councillor, City of Melbourne – Innovation & Education),Kaushal O. (Founder, Neuroverse; Entrepreneurship Student), Jessica Christiansen-Franks (Director, Wade Institute; Founder, Neighbourlytics), and Madeleine Hanger (Grummet)🚀 (Moderator – Journalist, Entrepreneur & Startup Investor).

Together, they reminded us of the power of saying yes, staying true to your values, and applying startup toolkits to everyday work and life. 💡

If you’re inspired to take the next step, applications are now open for the University of Melbourne Master of Entrepreneurship co-delivered with Wade Institute.

Learn more, book a time to speak with Program Manager May Flaming, or find out how to apply here 👉 https://bit.ly/4gp7KaQ

and Economics at Melbourne, ,

“Australia has produced more unicorns per dollar invested than anyone else in the world. It’s actually wild.” – Ben Grabiner (Side Stage Ventures)

At From Early Cheques to Exit Pathways – our recent VC Catalyst event in Sydney – panellists Ben Grabiner (Side Stage Ventures), Victoria Denholm (Wollemi Capital Group) and Lauren Capelin (AWS & VC Catalyst facilitator) explored how Australia’s startup ecosystem is evolving: from shifting exit strategies, to why founders matter more than moats, to the opportunities and risks of AI.

👉 Read the full article now on our Community Hub: https://bit.ly/41MUBSO

We’re excited to welcome Jessica Christiansen-Franks as the new Director of Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship.

Jess is a tech leader, urban designer and the co-founder of an Australian urban analytics company helping citymakers understand local identity and connection. The platform has supported more than 20,000 neighbourhoods in 12 countries.

With two decades of global experience and a passion for entrepreneurship and impact, Jess is perfectly placed to lead Wade into its next chapter ✨🚀

We can’t wait to introduce you in person. For now, please join us in welcoming Jess to Wade we know she’s going to bring energy, insight and ambition to this next chapter.

Learn more through the link in our bio →

What an incredible evening connecting with friends and partners at the Victorian Startup Gala! A fantastic celebration of the achievements across the startup sector and the brilliant people driving the ecosystem forward 💫

Thank you, , for bringing together such an inspiring group of people and ideas 🩷 ✨