Innovator Pro
Innovate on the inside with UNSW’s leading intrapreneur program. Apply now for Term 1 2026.
About
Innovator Pro is a two-day intrapreneurship program for students seeking to connect with industry whilst solving a contemporary work challenge. See below for Term 1 2026 program dates and application details.
The program format includes two days of innovation workshops and ideation in teams, with a subsequent five days to submit a video prototype presentation to the industry challenge partner.
The top five teams will be selected to progress to phase two of the program, accessing two 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: NSW Government, Waverley Council, RedHat, IBM, Adobe, KPMG, The Guardian, City of Sydney, EY, Deloitte, Think Place, Salesforce and Intercom.
Term 1 2026
Project challenge
WATCH THIS SPACE! Program challenge to be announced shortly. However, please get your application in early to avoid missing out.
Key dates
Applications close |
11:59pm, 1 February 2025 |
Two-day sprint (workshop component) |
Thursday, 12 February to Friday, 13 February (O-Week, Term 1) |
Round 1 video evaluation |
Tuesday, 17 February to Friday, 20 February (Week 1, Term 1) |
Top 5 preparation |
Monday, 23 February to Friday, 6 March (Week 2 - Week 3, Term 1) |
Pitch Fest finale |
Thursday, 12 March (Week 4, Term 1. To be confirmed (TBC): date, time and location) |
Industry experience |
Monday, 23 March to Friday, 27 March (Week 6, Term 1) |
-
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 to the accessibility message.
Students share their experience
"Innovator Pro stretched me in the best ways. Surrounded by ambitious, creative thinkers, I learned to slow down, listen deeply and grow. It refined my professional skills and reminded me that real growth happens when you’re challenged and inspired by others."
"Innovator Pro was such a great way to do something out of the ordinary, working with new people outside my degree. Meeting the industry representatives was also incredibly insightful and informative. Overall, I’m just grateful to have been part of this experience."
Frequently asked questions
-
If the correct term is not listed in the application, please select the most recent applicable term and use the provided comment or clarification field to explain your actual start date.
-
You are welcome to apply either individually or as part of a team. If you apply as an individual, the program team will support you in forming a team during the early stages of the program.
-
Please contact the Innovator Pro team at innovatorpro@unsw.edu.au to update your application status or notify the team at the start of the program.
-
No. Innovator Pro is designed around an industry-partnered challenge. All ideas developed must respond directly to the provided brief, which is shared at the start of the program.
-
Industry partners vary each term and may include leading organisations across various sectors such as consulting, technology, retail, government, and not-for-profit. Past partners have included NSW Government Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner, Waverley Council, RedHat, IBM, Salesforce, KPMG, Deloitte, ThinkPlace and other industry guests.
-
The program spans two core days covering ideation, team collaboration, and pitching. Teams are then given at least five days to prepare and submit a 3-minute video presentation. Finalist teams are invited to continue working on their solutions over an additional two to three weeks, culminating in a final pitch event.
-
Yes. Finalist teams are eligible for prizes that may include mentoring sessions, site visits, or other industry-sponsored opportunities. Recognition certificates are also awarded.
-
Applicants must be current UNSW students who have completed at least two trimesters. The program is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students from all faculties. Consideration will be given to mature-aged or postgraduate applicants on a case-by-case basis.
-
Students are expected to commit approximately 15–20 hours across the program’s duration, including workshops, team collaboration, and pitch development.
-
The primary program components, including workshops and the pitch even, are delivered in person at UNSW Kensington campus. However, finalists may engage in virtual mentoring or remote collaboration during the project refinement phase.
-
While full participation is highly encouraged, students must attend a minimum of 50% of scheduled sessions and contribute meaningfully to their team to be eligible for recognition and completion.
-
If you are no longer able to participate, please email innovatorpro@unsw.edu.au to request a formal withdrawal form. The team will guide you through the necessary steps.
-
Personal ideas may be considered only if they directly respond to the challenge provided by the industry partner and are developed collaboratively with your team.
-
Innovator Pro is ideal for students who are curious, creative, and motivated to work on real-world challenges in a team setting. If you value innovation, collaboration, and skill-building, this program is for you.
-
Participants will gain valuable employability skills, hands-on experience with industry, AHEGS recognition, confidence in pitching, networking opportunities, and exposure to career pathways.
-
Each term, Innovator Pro collaborates with a different industry partner to deliver a challenge aligned to current industry or community needs. The specific brief is introduced during the first day of the program.
-
Requests for resubmission of Vieple recordings will be considered on a case-by-case basis, particularly where technical issues are reported in a timely manner.