Startup Program for Women

Proudly Supported by LaunchVic & Natural Velocity

Tired of corporate? Have moonshot goals? Join our program designed to take you from employee to entrepreneur in 12 weeks. 

 

Applications close 15 May 2025 for cohort 4, running from 1 August to 15 November 2025. There are 20 scholarship spots available with up to 85% off program fees. 

"There's no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish"
MICHELLE OBAMA
Michelle Obama Signature
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Our Amazing Partners

Our incredible partners are committed to helping make your startup successful. 

Why Press Play

Want to launch a startup?

Starting your own business can feel both thrilling and overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Press Play, we support women as they shift from employee to entrepreneur, helping them bring bold ideas to life and shape the future on their own terms.

If you’ve been thinking about entrepreneurship, especially after a career in corporate, startups, or scaleups,  this is your moment! In the past year alone, we’ve helped over 120 women take the leap. Some have raised millions in funding, others have landed major enterprise clients, all within a year of completing the program.

Press Play is your 12-week launchpad to turn your idea into something real. It’s your chance to unlock your potential and step confidently into the founder space — just like trailblazers Melanie Perkins (Canva) and Kim Teo (Mr Yum) once did.

Get a Head Start

What we
Offer

Find your Inner Founder

Go from corporate thinking to entrepreneurial thinking. With our support, you’ll find clarity, confidence, and your own unique way to lead.

Avoid Expensive Mistakes

Skip the trial-and-error. Learn what works (and what doesn’t) from founders who’ve been there before and saving time, money, and stress.

Power up with Coaching

Get expert support on the journey and stage your on. Our coaches help you clarify, refine, and take action with confidence.

Discover your Tribe

Find your people. Build alongside a community of women who get it, supportive, ambitious, and on the same journey as you. Plus get connected to the startup ecosystem with our network of partners including investors, experts and current and past founders. 

What our
Founders Think

What 120+ Founders Say

As we went through the program, we found the sessions not only questioned and challenged (for the better!) the work we had already done, it supported us when we hit roadblocks that we couldn’t get through. Highly recommend the program!
Tessa Riley
Founder, Hey Jean
The program has been a fantastic professional & personal development opportunity for me, my business and my corporate career. The program has such a unique offering and is truly supportive or women in corporate careers. The coaching, programatic offering and accountability has helped accelerate my business in a way that would have been hard to achieve on my own.
Edwina Buckle
Founder, Innovation Connex
The Pre-Accelerator Program for Women from Press Play Ventures was pivotal in my path as a Technology Startup Founder. The well-designed program greatly enhanced my learning process. Through the networks, industry insights, program materials, and hands-on experience, I now feel confident in my capacity to advance.
Francesca Loria
Founder, Phycus

Read case studies about the incredible businesses our founders have built. 

Made for You

What you can expect

Scholarships & Zero Equity

There are up to 20 scholarships up for grabs at 85% off. 

Plus the program is equity-free which means whatever you build is always yours. 

No Need to Quit Your Day Job

Curious about entrepreneurship, but not ready for the leap?
Keep your day job while you do the program and explore the world of entrepreneurship. 

Balance Your Time

Commit only 4 to 5 hours per week to do the program. The rest is time for whatever you need to do, whether it be time for work, family or some well-deserved you time. 

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.

How we
do it

Flexible Learning

We also recognise that different people have different learning styles. We offer two pathways for you to choose from:

Feature Option 1: Online-only  Option 2: In-Person
Duration 12 Weeks 12 Weeks
Group Workshops Weekly 2-Hour Online Interactive Facilitated Sessions Weekly 3-Hour In-person Facilitated Sessions
Workshop Timing Fridays, 12 PM – 2 PM AEST/AEDT Saturdays, 12 PM – 3 PM AEST/AEDT
Location Online (via Zoom) Docklands, Melbourne
Other Resources Full Access to Online Resources and Video Learning Library from Experts Full Access to Online Resources and Video Learning Library from Experts
Individual Support Coaching Coaching
Community Monthly Online Ecosystem Events Monthly In-Person Ecosystem Events
Investment AUD 4,700 + GST AUD 8,000 + GST
Scholarships Available 85% scholarships (AUD 799 incl. GST) 85% scholarships ( AUD 1,299 incl. GST)
No. of Scholarships 10 (First-come-first-served basis) 10 (First-come-first-served basis)
Who can apply? Women from across Australia who can commit to the online group workshops. Women based in Victoria, Australia, who can attend the in-person group workshops outlined above
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.

Press Play Co-Founders Poonam Advani, Isaac Jeffries, Sangeeta Mulchandani & Preethi Mohan
Poonam Advani

Vox360

CPA, Business Owner, and Startup Enthusiast

Isaac Jeffries

Evander STRATEGY

Facilitator and Coach who has worked with over 935 Startup founders

Sangeeta Mulchandani

JUMPSTART STUDIO

Author, Speaker, Lecturer and 3rd Generation Entrepreneur

Preethi Mohan

NICE TO

3 times Founder, Angel Investor, Advisor and Startup Show Host

Group of diverse women founders from all different backgrounds

Frequently Asked Questions.

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 online-only program for AUD 799 (including GST), and the in-person program for AUD 1,299 (including GST).

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 2-3 hours to take part in the program and we recommend an additional 5 hours to work on your startup.

Previously, Press Play was only available to women in Victoria, Australia. However due to increased demand, we have opened the program to women across Australia.

Our online-only program will be avilable to women across Australia. Our in-person program will be available for Victoria-based women, and will be delivered in Melbourne (Docklands), with all workshops and events taking place in-person.

Press Play is designed for women who want to become a 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, have a burning desire to solve huge pressing problems, and are commited to their business journey.

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 for Cohort 4 are open now, and will close on 15th May 2025. The Scholarship spots will be allocated on first-come first-served basis. Cohort 4 Program will commence on 1st August, until 15th November 2025.

Applications close on 15th May 2025. The Scholarship spots will be allocated on first-come first-served basis. Cohort 4 Program dates: 1st August, until 15th November 2025.

We’re confident in the value of the Press Play but if you feel it’s not the right fit, we offer a full refund within the first two weeks of the program. This allows you to experience the first two sessions risk-free. After the second week, all payments are final due to the limited spots and high-demand nature of the cohort. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. If there are extenuating circumstances please contact us and we’ll try to assist. 

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. 

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