Swinburne Luminate Program
Are you ready to take your early-stage startup to the next level? Join the Swinburne Luminate Program to ignite your entrepreneurial journey and set your venture up for success.
Applications open Wednesday, 18 February 2026, and close at 11.59 pm Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
Expression of interest
Applications for the 2025 Luminate Program have closed. You can express your interest to be the first to hear when 2026 applications open or explore other programs at the Swinburne Innovation Studio.
Plan for startup success
Embarking on your startup journey is exciting, but knowing what to focus on, and when, can be challenging without the right support.
The Swinburne Luminate Program is a six-week, hands-on program designed to help you turn an early-stage idea into something real, with clarity on what to build, who it’s for, and what to do next. Through weekly, practical workshops, you’ll work step by step on defining the problem you’re solving, testing your ideas with real customers, and shaping a path forward for your startup.
By the end of the program, you won’t just have templates or frameworks, you’ll have real insights from your own testing, a plan you can act on, and the confidence to move your startup forward.
Unlock your potential
You'll also gain access to networking opportunities, mentoring from experts, and coaching to develop a compelling business pitch. At the end of the program, you will have the opportunity to pitch your startup to a live audience for the chance to win cash prizes!
Showcase Event prizes* include:
- A$2,500 for the winner
- A$1,000 for one runner-up
- A$500 for the best pitch
*Conditions apply.
Luminate Program
Embarking on your entrepreneurial journey is exciting, yet getting the support you need to scale your startup can be tough.
Key benefits of the Initiate Program
Personalised support
A limited number of participants means more one-on-one feedback, tailored guidance, and direct access to program facilitators.
Weekly practical workshops
Build strong foundations through workshops covering problem definition, business models, customer validation, legal structures, and more.
Mentoring, coaching and pitch development
Learn from experienced founders and ecosystem experts, with dedicated pitch coaching to help you confidently present to a live audience at the end of the program.
Connect with like-minded founders
Join a community of Swinburne students, staff, and alumni to collaborate, share ideas, and grow your network within the startup ecosystem.
Luminate Program 2025 highlights
Luminate Program 2024 highlights
Not sure if the Luminate Program is for you?
The Luminate Program is designed for Swinburne University of Technology students, staff, and alumni who are building an early-stage startup and working towards their first MVP. To get the most value out of the program, you’ll want to already have a startup idea you’re actively developing.
If you’re still exploring whether entrepreneurship is right for you, or don’t yet have an idea, we recommend you applying for our Initiate program, as a great place to start.
If you're still undecided, email us at innovationstudio@swinburne.edu.au to request a 15 min chat. Throughout the year, we offer a diverse range of programs tailored to support founders at all stages of the entrepreneurial journey.
Have questions about the Luminate Program?
- Email us at innovationstudio@swinburne.edu.au
- Connect with us on LinkedIn for the latest program updates
- Sign up to the Swinburne Innovation Studio newsletter
Schedule a session with us
You can also schedule a 15-minute session with our team to discuss your application and goals for the program. Simply email us at innovationstudio@swinburne.edu.au to lock in a time.
Frequently asked questions
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Info Night | Wednesday 25 February 2026 |
| Applications open | Wednesday 18 February 2026 |
| Applications close | 11.59pm, Wednesday 18 March 2026 |
| Program period | Tuesday 14 April – Tuesday 19 May 2026 |
| Showcase event | Tuesday 26 May 2026 |
The Luminate Program is held in person only at Swinburne's Hawthorn campus. No online or remote options are available.
A maximum of 15 startup teams or individuals will be accepted into the Luminate Program.
Yes, we encourage solo founders to apply for the Luminate Program.
Yes, you can participate in the Luminate Program if your startup has already taken investment. We would love to have you apply for our program.
To be eligible for the Luminate Program, we request a 3-minute video introducing yourself and your startup. Please keep the video under three minutes featuring your face.
It should be a straightforward presentation without any additional props, slides or editing effects. The focus should be on clear communication of your passion for the idea and the potential of your startup. If you have multiple founders, the presentation can be given by an individual founder.
Step 1. Record a video covering the following items.
| Item | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Start by introducing yourselves and your startup. |
| Problem Statement | Clearly articulate the problem or pain point that your startup aims to address Describe why the problem is significant and whom it impacts |
| Solution Overview | Present your startup idea or product solution Explain how it addresses the identified problem and the unique value proposition it offers |
| Market Opportunity | Discuss the market opportunity for your solution |
| Customer Validation | Share any evidence of customer validation or feedback you have received so far |
| Business Model | Outline your business model and revenue strategy Explain how your startup plans to make money |
| Your Ask | Briefly outline what you hope to achieve through participation in the program |
Step 2. Upload your video to Vimeo or YouTube.
Step 3. Set your video privacy settings to "public".
Step 4. Paste the video URL in the application form.
Explore more of our programs
-
Swinburne Initiate Program
-
Swinburne Elevate Program
-
Swinburne Initiate Express (Virtual Program)
Want to know more?
If you have any questions, need more information or you're wondering how Swinburne Innovation Studio can help turn your big idea into a real thing, contact us via email at innovationstudio@swinburne.edu.au.