The University of Newcastle Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) has been selected by the NSW Government to help female founders across the state accelerate new business ventures and commercialise their ideas.  

As part of the new $4 million Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program, I2N will expand its FLIP program to back female-led ventures not just in the Hunter and Central Coast regions but across all of NSW. 

FLIP NSW is an immersive program designed to help ambitious women with bold ideas build the skills, confidence and networks needed launch or accelerate new business ventures.  

It will support up to 188 female founders over two years, with at least 50 percent of participants coming from regional NSW. FLIP NSW will also be delivered online, so women – regardless of geographic location or background – have access to support that helps their ideas take flight.  

In addition to NSW Government support, the MacDougall Foundation – which was founded by University of Newcastle alumni Belinda and Adam MacDougall – will contribute $200,000 over two years to enhance access to mentoring and provide early-stage seed funding for select ventures that take part in FLIP NSW’s Showcase event.  

“The MacDougall Foundation has been critical to the success of our local FLIP program from day one, with a consistent conviction that female founders deserve support at the earliest stage possible,” said Siobhan Curran, University of Newcastle Acting Director of Knowledge Exchange and Entrepreneurship.  

“Their continued support and passion will help us give even more women the ability to grow their innovation and entrepreneurial know-how.” 

Data from Forbes Australia shows that Australian startups raised just over $5 billion across 390 commercial deals in 2025, yet funding for female founders dropped by four percent. According to Ms Curran, FLIP NSW aims to help close the funding gap and improve the investment trend.  

“We know women have amazing ideas for new ventures and the drive to make them succeed,” Ms Curran said.  

“We’ve seen that first-hand here in the Hunter and Central Coast regions with businesses like Hey Zomi, ByStorm, and IhydRATE. 

“FLIP NSW will give more female founders access to coaching, community, customers and capital – so they have targeted, proven support to achieve their goals.” 

For the past 10 years, I2N has supported more than 188 startups and small businesses, which have gone on to raise more than $63 million in capital, create 280 jobs, and contribute over $44 million in wages for the Hunter and Central Coast regions.  

University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, said the partnership with the NSW Government will strengthen pathways for more women to participate in innovation and entrepreneurship across the state.  

“Our I2N team delivers the number one startup accelerator in the country, supporting more than 180 startups to-date. It shows that with the right high-quality innovation support, entrepreneurship can thrive.”  

FLIP NSW program details

The statewide program will include: 

• a seven-week ‘Founder Readiness’ phase with online workshops, coaching sessions and networking events that give participants foundational enterprise skills and help them assess their readiness before progressing to the intensive phase.  
• a nine-week ‘Pre-Accelerator Intensive’ phase that guides participants through an intensive program featuring weekly workshops and pod coaching, culminating in a public Showcase event.
  
  Applications for FLIP NSW will open in June 2026 through the I2N website. 
  Applicants do not have to be affiliated with the University of Newcastle to take part.