Become a mentor or investor
What does it take to mentor / invest in innovation companies?
There are a variety of opportunities to get involved with interesting innovation projects.
Access Quality Deal Flow
Get early visibility on companies receiving Innovation Connect Grants and graduating from our programs. Connect with startups and scaleups across GRIFFIN Accelerator, Growth Lab and other initiatives. Access over 200 companies each year moving through our ecosystem. Meet ambitious founders before they approach wider investment markets.
Work Directly with Founders
Join the Mentor & Investor Network to connect with founders who need your specific experience. Participate in GRIFFIN Accelerator as a mentor, working closely with startups over three months. Share your knowledge in areas like fundraising, sales, business development and scaling. Build genuine relationships with entrepreneurs tackling real challenges.
Discover Investment Opportunities
Attend pitch events including the annual Innovation Showcase where companies present to potential investors. Meet founders at First Wednesday Connect and other networking events throughout the year. Get introduced to investment-ready companies through our team. Find opportunities across diverse sectors from deep tech to social enterprise.
Build Community Impact
Contribute your expertise to building Canberra as a city where innovation creates economic and social benefits. Help shape the next generation of successful companies and founders. Give back to an ecosystem that's delivered almost $900M to ACT's economy since 2014. Be part of a community where experienced professionals support ambitious entrepreneurs.
Stories
Real people, true stories
Read articles and stories from our innovation ecosystem.
Human Connection. Relationships. Customers.
For startups and high-ambition innovation companies, one thing is increasingly obvious: your competitive advantage is no longer just about your product or technology. Human connections, relationships and presence with customers are the new driving forces.
2025 End of Year Message from the CEO
With over 250 events, across all sectors and stages of maturity of firms, close to 10,000 participants in those events, over 20 programs targeting different needs across the ecosystem, CBRIN brings together people to create an environment in which you can access mentors, customers, partners, investors, collaborators, makers, creatives, researchers, students and other talent and connections.
Canberra innovator turns natural waste products into useful home compostable items
In December 2020, ANU Research School of Chemistry PhD student Ashwani Kumar set out to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Griffin Accelerator
Over the past decade, the GRIFFIN Accelerator has been a cornerstone for entrepreneurship in Canberra, connecting driven founders with seasoned local mentors. By pairing founders with mentors, providing investment, and pushing them to scale ambitiously, the program has become an integral part of our ecosystem.
What Is Innovation ACT?
InnovationACT is an entrepreneurship competition for students and researchers who are looking to gain experience in the world of business.
Canberra’s OX Rooms joins GRIFFIN Accelerator Program to drive innovation, efficiency, and security in real estate transactions
OX Rooms delivers unprecedented transparency for buying and selling real estate to agents, lawyers, buyers and sellers setting the stage for industry-wide transformation.
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Coworking at CBRIN and raising capital: some success stories
10 Innovative Canberra Businesses Awarded $276,500 through the Innovation Connect Grant Program
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First Wednesday Connect Pitch List October 2025
Canberra innovation ecosystem recognised at Global Triple E Awards
2024 End of year CEO message
We create impact together as a collective of entrepreneurs, innovators, business owners, educators, researchers, partners, mentors, investors, government and community organisations.
Links to Other Ecosystem Programs, Initiatives and Organisations
ACT Innovation Ecosystem Initiatives
Explore offerings of other ecosystem collaborators that may be relevant to you.
Events
Upcoming events
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First Wednesday Connect February 2026
- 4 February 2026
First Wednesday Connect March 2026
- 4 March 2026
Book Launch: Handbook of Innovation Ecosystems | John H. Howard
- 8 April 2026
Programs
Connect mentors and innovators through our ongoing programs
Access experienced mentors and connect with potential investors to grow your venture.
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Students can pitch a business idea to a panel of judges to win from a pool of $10,000 AUD!
A bi-monthly event dedicated to empowering and inspiring female entrepreneurs in Canberra.
Idea to Impact is designed to help entrepreneurs sharpen their skills and drive business growth.
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Fast-track your startup with essential skills, knowledge and networks for young entrepreneurs.
We bring in relevant, highly experienced people as our brains trust.
An annual event connecting Canberra's innovative companies with investors.
Annual event showcasing Canberra's innovation community and emerging ventures.
Meet the mentors in our community
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