#MadeInWollongong
Success Stories
iAccelerate
Scaleups
"We don’t just support students, staff, and alumni; we support anyone who wants to grow a local or global company from the Illawarra."
Dr Tamantha Stutchbury, Director at iAccelerate
What is iAccelerate?
Tamantha: iAccelerate is Australia’s largest and longest-running university-backed startup accelerator and incubator. We’re based at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus in a purpose-built facility designed for acceleration.
We offer three levels of education for people at different stages - whether you’re developing an idea, launching a startup, or scaling a large company. We also provide access to experts-in-residence, mentorship, funding opportunities, and physical space to grow your business.
What’s really unique about iAccelerate is that, although we’re backed by a university, we don’t just support students, staff, and alumni. We support anyone who wants to grow a local or global company from the Illawarra.
How did iAccelerate begin?
Tamantha: In 2011, iAccelerate started as an idea and a tiny space in the middle of Wollongong, donated by Wollongong City Council. We had $50,000 in investment from the NSW Government and 20 founders with great startup ideas.
At the time, thousands of Wollongong residents, many of them University of Wollongong alumni, were commuting out of the region every day for work. iAccelerate was built on the premise that we wanted people to be able to create jobs and build companies right here in the Illawarra.
What makes iAccelerate different from other accelerators?
Tamantha: There are a few things. First, we’re backed by a world-class university, which gives companies access to expertise, equipment, and a future workforce. Second, we don’t take equity in the companies we support. Our goal is to help founders build successful businesses that grow in the region and globally.
We connect startups with funding sources and investors through grants, and we have a seed fund. But some of our most successful companies have bootstrapped here for years. To date, we’ve supported over 500 startups, created more than 1,200 jobs and injected nearly half a billion dollars into the local economy.
You've achieved so much over the last decade, what are you most proud of?
Tamantha: We celebrate everything at iAccelerate - big or small. We have a bell in the building, and we ring it for milestones like launching a prototype, making your first sale, or raising $22 million.
One recognition that was really special to me was winning a global award for female empowerment last year. We know that only about 20% of founders are women, but at iAccelerate, around 50% of our founders are female. That shows we’re making a real difference in creating a more equitable and inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Pictured: iAccelerate Entrepreneurial Women 's Breakfast panel 2025
Why is Wollongong a great place to start a business?
Tamantha: When people think of Wollongong, they often think of holidays. But it’s an amazing place to start a business. We have a connected business community where people are willing to help you solve problems. On Innovation Campus, we’re surrounded by innovative companies, and nearby we have light and heavy industry, a deep-sea port, and a strong manufacturing history. Plus, we’re only a short drive to an international airport.
That advanced manufacturing base is great for companies building complex prototypes. We’re industry-agnostic, so we support startups from any sector—tech, social enterprise, tech. Deep tech startups especially benefit from being in a university town, having Bluescope here, and access to industrial land for large-scale prototypes.
What’s the biggest challenge in attracting entrepreneurs to Wollongong?
Tamantha: Awareness. Once people know what we do and visit iAccelerate, meet the team, and connect with the Illawarra business community, they’re they’re easily convinced. It’s also a fantastic lifestyle with lower cost of living, shorter commute times, and access to talent through the university.
Compared to large metropolitan capitals, Wollongong offers connectedness and the ability to grow within the same postcode. When companies graduate from iAccelerate, they can move into other premises on Innovation Campus or elsewhere in Wollongong. Staff and housing costs are more affordable than in big cities, and the community makes it a special place to start a business.
What’s next for iAccelerate?
Tamantha: Next year, our building celebrates its 10th anniversary, and we’re excited to reconnect with alumni and celebrate our impact on the region. But we’re not stopping there. The next generation of entrepreneurs is exciting, and technologies like AI will play a huge role in startups. We’re also working on building bigger avenues for investment for local startups.
Any advice for emerging entrepreneurs?
Tamantha: Don’t be afraid, just take the first step! Many people visit us three, four, or five times before they feel confident, but there’s no perfect time. Jump in. Entrepreneurship isn’t a job; it’s a journey. And we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.
Learn more
Dr Tamantha Stutchbury, Director at iAccelerate
What is iAccelerate?
Tamantha: iAccelerate is Australia’s largest and longest-running university-backed startup accelerator and incubator. We’re based at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus in a purpose-built facility designed for acceleration.
We offer three levels of education for people at different stages - whether you’re developing an idea, launching a startup, or scaling a large company. We also provide access to experts-in-residence, mentorship, funding opportunities, and physical space to grow your business.
What’s really unique about iAccelerate is that, although we’re backed by a university, we don’t just support students, staff, and alumni. We support anyone who wants to grow a local or global company from the Illawarra.
How did iAccelerate begin?
Tamantha: In 2011, iAccelerate started as an idea and a tiny space in the middle of Wollongong, donated by Wollongong City Council. We had $50,000 in investment from the NSW Government and 20 founders with great startup ideas.
At the time, thousands of Wollongong residents, many of them University of Wollongong alumni, were commuting out of the region every day for work. iAccelerate was built on the premise that we wanted people to be able to create jobs and build companies right here in the Illawarra.
What makes iAccelerate different from other accelerators?
Tamantha: There are a few things. First, we’re backed by a world-class university, which gives companies access to expertise, equipment, and a future workforce. Second, we don’t take equity in the companies we support. Our goal is to help founders build successful businesses that grow in the region and globally.
We connect startups with funding sources and investors through grants, and we have a seed fund. But some of our most successful companies have bootstrapped here for years. To date, we’ve supported over 500 startups, created more than 1,200 jobs and injected nearly half a billion dollars into the local economy.
You've achieved so much over the last decade, what are you most proud of?
Tamantha: We celebrate everything at iAccelerate - big or small. We have a bell in the building, and we ring it for milestones like launching a prototype, making your first sale, or raising $22 million.
One recognition that was really special to me was winning a global award for female empowerment last year. We know that only about 20% of founders are women, but at iAccelerate, around 50% of our founders are female. That shows we’re making a real difference in creating a more equitable and inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Pictured: iAccelerate Entrepreneurial Women 's Breakfast panel 2025
Why is Wollongong a great place to start a business?
Tamantha: When people think of Wollongong, they often think of holidays. But it’s an amazing place to start a business. We have a connected business community where people are willing to help you solve problems. On Innovation Campus, we’re surrounded by innovative companies, and nearby we have light and heavy industry, a deep-sea port, and a strong manufacturing history. Plus, we’re only a short drive to an international airport.
That advanced manufacturing base is great for companies building complex prototypes. We’re industry-agnostic, so we support startups from any sector—tech, social enterprise, tech. Deep tech startups especially benefit from being in a university town, having Bluescope here, and access to industrial land for large-scale prototypes.
What’s the biggest challenge in attracting entrepreneurs to Wollongong?
Tamantha: Awareness. Once people know what we do and visit iAccelerate, meet the team, and connect with the Illawarra business community, they’re they’re easily convinced. It’s also a fantastic lifestyle with lower cost of living, shorter commute times, and access to talent through the university.
Compared to large metropolitan capitals, Wollongong offers connectedness and the ability to grow within the same postcode. When companies graduate from iAccelerate, they can move into other premises on Innovation Campus or elsewhere in Wollongong. Staff and housing costs are more affordable than in big cities, and the community makes it a special place to start a business.
What’s next for iAccelerate?
Tamantha: Next year, our building celebrates its 10th anniversary, and we’re excited to reconnect with alumni and celebrate our impact on the region. But we’re not stopping there. The next generation of entrepreneurs is exciting, and technologies like AI will play a huge role in startups. We’re also working on building bigger avenues for investment for local startups.
Any advice for emerging entrepreneurs?
Tamantha: Don’t be afraid, just take the first step! Many people visit us three, four, or five times before they feel confident, but there’s no perfect time. Jump in. Entrepreneurship isn’t a job; it’s a journey. And we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.