Innovator Pro

Innovate on the inside with UNSW’s leading intrapreneur program. Express your interest for Term 3.

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About

Innovator Pro, is a three-day intrapreneurship program including innovation workshops, collaboration with peers and access to industry professionals.

The three-day immersion culminates in a competition where you and your team pitch a prototype innovation to UNSW peers and industry mentors.

The top five teams will be selected to progress to phase two of the program, accessing three weeks of personalised training by industry mentors and performance coaches to sharpen their prototype and compete at the Innovator Pro finals ‘Pitch Fest’ for the chance to win industry experience prizes.

Past industry thought leaders have included: Adobe, KPMG, The Guardian, City of Sydney, EY, Deloitte, Digital Reserve, Think Place, Salesforce, and Intercom.

Term 1 2025

Project challenge

In collaboration with work undertaken by Regen Sydney and Waverley Council:

How might you innovate approaches to socio-ecological wellbeing to improve the economy, quality of life and civic innovation with Waverley Council?

Consider the following elements in the project challenge:

Data insights reporting/dashboard
Engaging the community
Gaps in the doughnut model

Regen Sydney, opens in a new window is a network of organisations & individuals exploring a regenerative future for Sydney.
Waverley Council, opens in a new window is a Local government area in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.

Program dates

Innovator Pro is offered in Term 1 and Term 3 2025.

12-13 February: two-day sprint

Interactive workshops held at UNSW where industry and students collaborate to work on a challenge proposed by Regen Sydney and Waverley Council.

17-19 February

In their teams, students will submit a three minuted recorded presentation or ‘pitch’ in response to the project challenge.

24 February

The top five teams are selected to develop their ideas over three to four weeks and proceed to a final pitch competition. The students are guided by industry feedback on their prototypes for a three week period before pitching at the final Innovator Pro Pitch Fest event.

Applications for Innovator Pro Term 1 2025 have now closed. Express your interest for the Term 3 program, opens in a new window.

Innovator Pro was born from the idea that Innovation is not the sole domain of start-ups or external disruptors, but rather a disposition for professional excellence, positive influence, and change that can also be applied within a business or organisation. When this attitude is encouraged within organisations, curiosity and creative potential are unleashed, and intrapreneurs emerge.

Inspiring the next generation of intrapreneurs

Intrapreneurs are bold, brave, and creative organisational change agents. Arguably, they are the kind of people always in demand because of their ability to inspire others whilst navigating complexity and ambiguity. Intrapreneurs are akin to entrepreneurs in their attitude and thinking, however while entrepreneurs predominately seek external investment for their ideas, intrapreneurs focus on the untapped potential that resides within organizations.

Innovate on the inside with UNSW’s leading Intrapreneur program

As an employability program, Innovator Pro seeks to equip participants with problem solving, influential ideation and business modelling skills. We cannot wait to hear about your groundbreaking product, process or service innovations that will solve a real-world problem and drive sustainable growth and action.
Go beyond classroom learning

Participate in industry workshops facilitated by successful and engaging industry mentors. Throughout the workshops you will gain a clearer understanding of approaches to innovation and practical lessons for ideating in teams.

Industry professionals from a range of organisations guide your intrapreneurial journey, providing insights for innovation and helping you to build broad skills vital for any professional practice. Examples of past organisations include EY, Salesforce, UNIQLO, and City of Sydney. Throughout the workshop series you will also learn about new technologies disrupting the market, changes affecting the future of work, and how to pitch your idea.

Make the most of your innovation learning experience

Innovator Pro facilitators regularly communicate across the UNSW campus to identify work opportunities for budding innovators, whether these be volunteering, internships or paid work opportunities.
Use UNSW as your innovation playground

You will collaborate in diverse teams with the goal of creating and pitching an innovative product or service improvement focusing on a key question or industry problem statement. Take inspiration and guidance from industry leaders to develop your idea and work alongside mentors including student peers, UNSW professional staff and industry partners.
Plenty of additional benefits to get you pumped

Gives you plenty of exciting content to add to your resume.

UNSW Advantage recognised co-curricular opportunity, eligible for AHEGS.

Meet like-minded individuals and expand professional networks.

Receive professional mentoring and supervision from UNSW staff and program partners.
Students at all stages of their undergraduate degree and most stages of their postgraduate degree can apply for this program. We recommend the program for students in their second year of studies and onwards and/or students with some innovation experience.

Inclusive and supportive program

We are dedicated to fostering a learning environment that is inclusive and supportive for everyone. If you have any specific needs to help you fully participate, we are here to make the necessary adjustments.

These adjustments might include providing extra time, ensuring spaces and processes are accessible, or offering materials in alternative formats. If there is anything we can do to support you, please let us know by emailing us at innovatorpro@unsw.edu.au. Your comfort and ability to fully engage are our top priorities.

Listen here, opens in a new window to the accessibility message.

Students share their experience

“Innovator Pro is an incredibly enriching and nurturing program."

Shivalika, UNSW Science student

"This is the opportunity for students to get out from their comfort zone and take the challenges to experience and explore more. Get involved and be part of the unsw journey!"

Aishah, UNSW Business student

As a HDR student, Innovator Pro was a transformative experience for me as a research postgraduate student. This program brilliantly bridged the gap between academia and industry, offering invaluable insights into the world of innovation and entrepreneurship. The highlight of the event was the opportunity to interact with industry experts who shared their wisdom on effective idea pitching. It not only enhanced my presentation skills but also gave me a deeper understanding of how to translate research into practical solutions. Innovator Pro has left a lasting impact on my academic and professional journey, equipping me with the knowledge and confidence to turn my ideas into reality."

Ahmad, UNSW Higher Degree Research (HDR) student

"This program has made me an innovator pro: refining my teamwork skills, which I've successfully applied across academia, internships, and my professional journey. It's a testament to the program's ability to empower individuals with essential skills for real-world success."

Aqif, UNSW Engineering student

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