A Bootcamp is a series of workshops and coaching for people with an idea, or with experience, to learn more about what it takes to grow a business. It’s a opportunity for teams (or individuals) to challenge their business ideas, learn skills in marketing and business strategy, and work out what’s needed to take their concept to the next level.

Bootcamps are designed to test and support the development of a creative business idea. Foundry658 will run the Bootcamp program twice prior to the Accelerator program; at the conclusion of the final Bootcamp, 10 teams with potential for high growth will be selected to transition to the Accelerator. Foundry658 Bootcamps also offer valuable learning experiences in their own right for businesses who aren’t suitable or ready for the Accelerator program.

Accelerators are short-term, collaborative programs – similar to intensive workshops and coaching programs – that provide participants with mentorship, networking opportunities, business education and training to develop a business idea. Accelerators culminate in a pitch event or demo day where participants present their business idea to the public and potential investors with the aim of turning their vision into reality.

Accelerators strongly critique business ideas and get participants to ask themselves many questions, such as:

• Do people need this service?
• What is the aim of starting this business?
• What is the business plan?
• How much are you really prepared to commit emotionally, financially, and time-wise, to get your idea off the ground?
• When do you call it quits?

Your fellow participants, referred to as a cohort, are also a crucial learning tool. They provide participants with a support network and an opportunity to learn and grow alongside other like-minded businesses.

It is expected that Accelerator-ready participants will have a scaleable product ready for development with the potential to grow nationally and internationally, and/or attract investment.

The Bootcamp plays a valuable role in preparing teams for the Accelerator, and helps the Foundry658 team evaluate potential participants for progression to the Accelerator. It is generally expected and recommended that Accelerator teams will have successfully completed the Bootcamp. However, teams may potentially be considered for Accelerator without completing the Bootcamp provided they can demonstrate both suitability and readiness.

Contact Foundry658 staff for more information.

A startup is a new business designed to grow very quickly, that can quickly scale into a bigger company and generally has aspirations to be an international business from its inception. If you’re keen to learn more, LaunchVic has a useful introductory guide to startups.

Potential investors and funders will be involved across the curriculum. The Accelerator’s conclusion will also feature a pitch event where participants can showcase their work to potential investors and funders.

Creatives will own their own businesses and Intellectual Property rights. No equity is taken by any of the agencies running or funding Foundry658.

Foundry658 was created through the Victorian Government’s Creative State strategy, and is delivered jointly by State Library Victoria (SLV) and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) to support the growth, innovation and sustainability of Victoria’s creative industries.

Foundry658 is working in partnership with Pathwize.

Foundries are places of artisan craft and industry, and the number 658 is the Dewey decimal reference for entrepreneurship.

Bootcamps

• Bootcamp One applications open: 31 August 2018
• Bootcamp One applications close: 30 September 2018
• Bootcamp One takes place (12 – 30 November)

• Bootcamp Two applications open: 1 October 2018
• Bootcamp Two applications close: 30 November 2018
• Bootcamp Two takes place (1 – 21 February 2019)

Accelerator

• Accelerator selection process concludes: 28 Feb 2019
• Accelerator takes place (30 March – 30 June 2019)