Startup Program for Women
Proudly Supported by LaunchVic
Tired of corporate? Have moonshot goals? Join our program designed to take you from employee to entrepreneur in 12 weeks.
"There's no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish"
MICHELLE OBAMA
Our Amazing Partners
Our incredible partners are committed to helping make your startup successful.
Why Press Play
Want to launch a startup?
Don’t let your circumstances overshadow your entrepreneurial spirit. Despite Victoria’s 6.5 million-strong population, women startup founders remain a mere thousand. We aspire to provide pathways for at least 100 women entrepreneurs who will innovate, and shape the world.If you’ve been toying with entrepreneurship, especially after your stint in the corporate, startup, or scaleup world, this is your time to shine.
At Press Play, we want to turn your entrepreneurial dreams from ideas into reality in 12 weeks, offering you a springboard to unchain your potential and play in the same arena as leaders like Melanie Perkins (Canva) and Kim Teo (Mr Yum).
Made for you!
What we
Offer
Zero Cost
and
Zero Equity
That’s right! With these scholarships, you can join us without spending a dime. And the cherry on top? Whatever you create stays 100% yours. No strings attached!
No need to quit your day job
Curious about entrepreneurship but not ready for the deep dive? Do the program while you keep your day job and explore the world of startups.
Balance family time & you time
You only need to commit 4-5 hours per week and the program is delivered virtually.
The Cherry
On Top
We invest in you longterm
Introducing...
The Founder Alumni Fund
We’re here with you, every step of the way. You’re not just doing our program or being part of our community, we’ll also be investing in you via our ‘Founder Alumni Fund’. There’s a lot of talk about the funding hurdles female founders face, and we’ve decided to roll up our sleeves and be part of the solution. We’re setting aside $50,000 to back the first funding rounds that our Press Play alum raise!
What we
Offer
Personalised Guidance
Roadmap for success to turn ideas into reality
Our 12-week program focuses on mindset, strategy, and execution. The program covers critical components to launching a startup, everything from business model, customer discovers, to financial modelling and go to market.
Empowering Resources
Startup A-Z at your fingertips
You’ll get access to our exclusive resource library packed with eBooks, videos, and worksheets. Get practical tips and strategies from Unicorn founders and investors to enhance skills, ensuring your excellence in your startup journey.
Supportive Community
An entrepreneurial journey that isn't lonely
Immerse yourself in a community of peers, mentors and supporters. Engage, collaborate, and share. Harness the power of collective wisdom, gain inspiration from success stories, thrive through valuable feedback & support.
How we
do it
Tailored for your Success
Everyone’s story is different. We want to meet you where you are, and help you take control of your business journey. We prompt the learning with critical questions to fast track your success.
Reflection
“Where have I been” and “where am I now”, to reflect on the journey you have taken to embark on your founder journey
REALISING AMBITIONS
“Where do I want to be” and “What’s holding me back” we understand your aspirations and work with you to unblock barriers
BIAS FOR ACTION
“What do I need to do” and “What do I need to let go of?” which help you prioritise and remove stumbling blocks
SUPPORT
Who’s walking with me?” to see who can support, guide and inspire you in the next phase of growth and throughout your startup's lifetime.
Who is behind it?
Expert Support
Led by Startup experts, at Press Play we aim to stoke the entrepreneurial fire in those weary of the usual 9-to-5 drill. We’ve been in your shoes, yearning for more than just an ordinary job and itching to make a greater impact. If this resonates with you as it did with us, Press Play is your catalyst for entrepreneurship.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Investing in your personal growth is invaluable, and thanks to funding from LaunchVic, we’ve made the programme more accessible than ever. We have 100 scholarships available, with 15 full scholarships still open for Cohort 3. There is a refundable upfront commitment fee of $300, which will be fully refunded upon completion of the programme. If you participate fully and attend all sessions, this $4,700 programme will cost you nothing!
For Cohort 3, we’re committed to helping more women launch successful businesses. That’s why we’ve introduced an 85% subsidised partial scholarship, available to women across Australia. This partial scholarship allows you to join the programme for just $700 + GST ($770).
To maximise your chances of being selected, please indicate your preferred scholarship option on the application form.
The program lasts for 12 weeks. Each week you need to commit 1-3 hours to take part in the program and an additional 5 hours to work on your startup. There will be a break of 2 weeks during the 12 week program to help give you more time to work on your business.
Place Play will take place in Victoria. It will be run as a hybrid program. Most of the sessions will be run online, but there will be key events and networking events that take place in person. The in-person events will be in and around Melbourne city or fringes. If we have enough participants located in other states, we will consider running the events in a hybrid format.
Press Play is designed for women in Victoria wanting to become a new startup founder after being employed at corporates or technology businesses. We look for women with a background or affinity for technology. You don’t need a refined idea, but we are looking for women who are adventurous, resilient and have a burning desire to solve huge pressing problems.
A Startup is a young technology-based business that uses innovation to scale rapidly and capture market at a high velocity. Examples of technology include software/apps, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, advanced manufacturing & robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, augmented / virtual reality, 3D printing, advanced materials, genomics & life sciences (including Biotech & MedTech) and autonomous vehicles.
Applications are currently closed. Please use the expressions of interest to indicate that you wish to be part of a Press Play cohort in the future.
Applications close 30th November.
The second cohort will start with a kick-off event on the 4th of February.
The programming will start the 10th of February 2025 and end 9th May.
Cohort 3 graduation will be on 23rd May.
We are opening partial scholarship spots to applicants from all around Australia. Please use the expressions of interest form to indicate that you would like to be part of a future cohort.
Not ready to take the leap yet?
We completely understand. Dip your toes in the water and get on the list to hear about the incredible events and network opportunities we host.