A 16-week program for businesses ready to scale. You leave with one named commercial outcome, driven by a fractional executive, backed by a structured e-learning foundation and a cohort of mentors building alongside you.
You can participate in the program in-person only.
Venture Builder – November 2026 to April 2027
JCU Ideas Labs, Building D4/14-88 McGregor Rd, Smithfield QLD 4878 (successful participants will be offered a work desk as part of the program)
Varies, but the expectation is that participants will commit at least 2 full days a week to building their venture
The Impact10X Venture Builder helps established businesses scale, sharpen their business model, and become investor-ready. It’s built for companies already generating meaningful revenue, ideally $1M+ annually, that are ready to reach their next stage of growth.
The promise is simple. You and a senior fractional executive agree on one named commercial outcome, then spend 16 weeks delivering it together. Before your first session, you complete our e-learning Foundations, so your paid mentor hours go into execution rather than theory. Along the way, you build with a cohort of founders, meet regularly founder-to-founder, and finish with a written handover and a certificate.
Venture foundation
Week 1 · Onboarding & Diagnostic (JCU Ideas Lab) We run a scaling diagnostic on your venture and match you with the right lead mentor.
Weeks 2–3 · E-learning Foundations (Online) You complete the five Foundations modules, each producing a real output for your venture (your baseline, pricing model, go-to-market one-pager, metrics baseline, and funding position).
Working on your business
Weeks 4–7 · Sessions With Your Fractional Executive (Blended) Session 0 locks in your One Goal, signed by founder and mentor, with all session dates booked upfront. Working sessions begin.
Week 8 · Checkpoint (Online) A status review against your commitments. Ventures executing well may receive additional hours reallocated from paused ventures.
Weeks 9–15 · Working Sessions & Flex Hours (Blended) Continue with your lead mentor, with the option of up to 3 flex hours with other specialists on our bench, brokered through your lead mentor so the plan stays coherent.
Feedback and outcome review
Week 16 · Cohort Showcase & Outcome Review (JCU Ideas Lab): Present your results, share your journey and receive a written handover.
Beyond the Venture Builder Program...
Selected businesses that have been funded or that require further development will be offered a working desk and continuous support at the JCU-In-Resident Founders Tenancy (inside the JCU Ideas Lab Building).
We’re looking for ambitious founders leading established businesses who:
If you’re serious about building a scalable, investment-ready venture, the Impact10X Venture Builder is your next step.
Answer a few key questions about your venture, team, and goals.
Our team assesses each application based on feasibility, and potential impact.
Selected applicants will be invited for an interview to discuss their vision and fit.
The most promising businesses are invited to join the program.
The 2026 venture builder is free thanks to our sponsors.
There Is No Application Fee.
Apply for Free Today!
This program is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, as part of the Regional Enablers Program.
The Venture Builder is designed for businesses ready to scale that have already validated their idea, gained traction, and are ready to grow.
Yes — solo founders are welcome. While having a co-founder or early team member is ideal, it’s not a requirement. We offer support through fractional executive talent and help connect founders with the right people to strengthen their team as the venture grows.
The program can only be attended in person at the JCU Ideas Lab in Cairns.
Expect to dedicate 2–4 full days per week to the program. This is an intensive, hands-on process designed to move your venture forward quickly.
Start-ups that show strong potential may be invited to join our JCU-In-Resident Founders Tenancy for continued support and workspace access. Others often continue working with partners or investors they met during the program.
We’re looking for founders with a solid business, ideally already generating $1M in revenue—you should have a product, service, or MVP with strong market fit and, ideally, many customers.
While we don’t offer upfront funding, the program prepares you to secure investment through pitch refinement and connections with investors.
We’re industry-agnostic but look for start-ups solving real problems in regional areas or high-impact industries like health, climate, education, agtech, and digital solutions.
Simply complete the application form on this page. We review applications based on product validation, team experience, traction, and alignment with the program’s goals. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview before final selection.
