Think of an accelerator as similar to a University or TAFE unit – a structured, fixed term development program. However, the purpose of an accelerator program is not only to educate, but to help participants develop and refine their initiative or business venture.

During the Hatch program, you will undertake education sessions, peer collaboration, and have access to mentors from a range of different expertise. You will also undertake work on your game changing initiative or product for the planet in your own time.

Accelerators often provide seed capital to participants as well. Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program will provide $2,000 equity-free funding to each participating team.

At the end of the structured program, participants will pitch their ideas to a panel of experts. The panel will provide feedback and determine which initiative or product is the overall winner and recipient of the $50,000 major funding.

To support ecopreneurs to take their initiative from vision to reality. If you are a not-for-profit or social enterprise founder with a venture that will drive positive change for wildlife and the environment, we have an amazing network of mentors and experts who can help you bring your vision to life and reach your goals sooner.

We are seeking brilliant initiatives that can make a significant positive impact on wildlife conservation and/or the environment in Australia, and are/will be established as a not-for-profit or social enterprise organisation. Applicants for the Accelerator Program are required to demonstrate:

- A thorough understanding of the issue you are addressing;

- Relevant technical skills to bring your idea to life (or the ability to source and partner with others with the required skills);

- A completed Business Model Canvas / Social Business Canvas, and;

- Results of a first round of market testing for your initiative.

You are also likely at the start of your financial journey using funding from your own pocket and personal connections, and looking forward to a time when you can start to bring in revenue/funding to support your venture into the future.

The program will be a mix of face-to-face immersive workshops held at Taronga Zoo Sydney, weekly online sessions that you attend from anywhere, and working on your initiative in your own time. The program will culminate with the Pitch Event onsite at Taronga Zoo Sydney – an exciting opportunity for you to showcase your initiative to the public and where we will announce the recipient of the Hatch Grant.

The program will support you to:

- Effectively communicate the problem you are addressing and how your solution drives positive impact;

- Complete market validation for your initiative;

- Develop marketing and digital resources to promote your initiative, and;

- Develop your business plan for next the 12 months.

The Accelerator Program provides participating teams with $30,000 worth of value per team at little cost. This is a fantastic opportunity for early-stage startups and includes:

- $2,000 funding for each initiative participating in the program (at zero equity);

- A blended approach of face-to-face workshops, online sessions and digital modules to provide you with the knowledge to develop your initiative;

- Flights and accommodation for participants, and;

- Expert learning, guidance and support from mentors and subject matter experts including Taronga experts, industry professionals, and not-for-profit and social enterprise leaders.

Participating teams also have the opportunity to receive up to $50,000 equity-free funding at the final Pitch Event to bring your brilliant initiative to life!

The structured elements of this program are:

- Immersive One – a two day/two night intensive in Sydney;

- Immersive Two – a two day/two night intensive in Sydney;

- Weekly online workshop sessions (2hrs);

- Final Pitch Event – a one and a half day/two night event in Sydney.

Participants are required to attend both immersives and the final pitch event in full, and 90% of the weekly workshops.

Participants are also expected to work on their initiatives and assigned milestones outside of the structured program sessions.

If you have an existing clash with any of the program dates, you will have the opportunity to note this in the application form.

Please see further details about eligibility and application process in the FAQ section.

We expect the cohort to include 6 – 8 initiatives. Each initiative may be an individual or a team of between 2 or 3 people.

All team members are required to attend the two immersive retreats and final pitch event in full (subject to conditions). Weekly workshop attendance is also mandatory however can be shared amongst team members, to be discussed and agreed with the Hatch program team in advance.

At this stage the program is due to run every 12 months, and the next Accelerator Program will run from March to June 2025. If you are interested in participating in the Accelerator Program, please register your interest on the main Hatch "Home Page", and we will get in touch to let you know when applications open.

We are excited that you will become part of the Hatch: Taronga Accelerator Program alumni, and we look forward to keeping in touch with you as you continue to develop your brilliant initiatives! 

The funding recipient will receive post-program support from Taronga to nurture you in the next stage of implementation.

Accommodation, flights and some food will be funded by the Hatch program. We want to make our program open and accessible to all potential applicants, so we do not require any fee for application or participation. The program will cover the majority of travel expenses for participating individuals/teams based outside of Sydney and accommodation costs for Sydney based founders. Participants may need to pay some personal, food and travel expenses.

Yes! All finalists will receive $2,000 per team in equity-free seed funding to support their idea development – this will be made available part way through the program once set milestones are met. The main grant of up to $50,000 will be awarded to one chosen finalist at the end of the program to implement their brilliant initiative and $5,000 awarded to People’s Choice Award Winner.