Idea to Impact: The 10-Week Challenge Helping People Validate Ambitious Ideas

Idea to Impact (I2I) is an intensive and collaborative program designed for innovators and entrepreneurs in Canberra. Run by the Canberra Innovation Network, the focus is to provide tools to fine-tune your big ideas and turn them into high-impact ventures. Applications are now open for the next cohort and will close Friday 8 March 2024, with limited spots available.   

Over 10 weeks, the course is a mix of 5 in-person workshops with 4 online accountability sessions, during which you will challenge your business ideas and understand your target customers. Get excited to get hands on and develop future goals in an environment that is peer and mentor supported!  

Idea to Impact has been running bi-annually for four years with many successful alumni companies, including Maple Glass Printing, Miiroko and My Green Butler.   

Kyle Hughes from FlexiPhone who is a 2023 alumni highlights “the Idea to Impact program has had the single biggest influence on our project’s success so far”.     

The information, networking and discussion are crucial to learning business growth in all areas and levels. “The blend of hands-on workshops and supportive online sessions provided our team with fantastic tools and quality advice to help push through start-up boundaries,” says Kyle.  

In most cases, Idea to Impact is one of the first steps in the CBRIN framework where participants will learn the fundamentals of pitching and validating ideas with target customers. Hayley Maddox, Idea to Impact facilitator says, “One of my favourite programs is Idea to Impact. “If you’ve just had an idea or you’re already making progress in startup, this is a great series to help you explore innovation and business”.  

After completing I2I, participants will begin to apply for other, more advanced programs like the Innovation Connect Grant and GRIFFIN Accelerator to take their projects to the next level.  

The program is designed to be hands on, supportive with a strong focus on peer-to-peer support. “The community of fellow innovators I met were inspiring and created an energizing environment to tackle our challenges” states Kyle.  

 Are you ready to challenge yourself and grow your idea? Join the next cohort of Idea to Impact! Spots are limited so make sure you apply now!