Pitch, Prototype, Pivot: An Introduction to Startup Building with InnovationACT

InnovationACT is a two-week entrepreneurship competition run by the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN), open to students, researchers and staff across ANU, University of Canberra, UNSW Canberra, CIT, AIE and ACU. Teams form around a bold startup idea, validate it with real customers, build a prototype, and pitch it to a panel of judges for a share of a $10,000 grant pool and in-kind ecosystem support. It's a hands-on introduction to what entrepreneurship actually involves — from idea to pitch — rather than a theoretical overview.

Students will learn how to take an idea from concept to pitch: testing market assumptions with real customers, building a minimum viable product, developing a business model, and telling a compelling story to stakeholders and judges.

Skills Developed

• Customer Discovery & Market Validation
• Prototyping & Business Model Design
• Pitching & Stakeholder Communication

Students would engage with CBRIN's structured workshop series, including:

• Orientation session covering competition format
• Workshop 1: Ideation & Validation
• Workshop 2: Business Models & Market Tests
• Workshop 3: Prototyping & Pitch Design
• Workshop 4: Pitch Practice & Feedback

No prior idea or business experience is required — teams (or individuals) develop and refine their concept throughout the program.

A pitch-ready startup concept that:

• demonstrates a validated market opportunity, tested directly with potential customers;
• includes a working business model and early-stage prototype; and
• is delivered as a live pitch to a judging panel at Pitch Heats and (if shortlisted) Pitch Night.

InnovationACT runs 6 August – 3 September 2026, with sessions held at Canberra Innovation Network. Teams of 2–5 are eligible for prizes (solo participation is possible but not prize-eligible). Throughout the program, students have access to innovation and business mentors, with additional CBRIN support offered to eventual winners.

Recommended for students:

• Students curious about entrepreneurship or startups, wanting a low-risk way to test the waters
• Those who enjoy fast-paced, team-based work with a real deadline and a real audience
• Students drawn to customer research and validation over pure ideation — this program rewards testing ideas, not just having them
• People who want to build public speaking and pitching confidence in a supportive but competitive setting
• Anyone with a "what if" idea sitting in the back of their mind, looking for structure and mentorship to actually build it out