What is THE BIG LEAP Incubator Program?

THE BIG LEAP Incubator is a program designed to help migrant founders draw on their unique strengths, sharpen their plans, test their ideas on a new market, hone their skills and build a network for long term success through international expansion.

Why is India the best market to enter?

India’s 1.3 billion+ population presents a HUGE market with a wide spectrum of demographics and the needs and aspirations that come with it. Recent international research recognises India as one of the top emerging markets in the world despite the pandemic. According to NSDL, Indian equities gained $23 billion from foreign institutional investors in 2020, while the economies of its neighbours experienced inflation & outflows. With the help of our partner, T-Hub, we have the benefit of eyes and ears in the Indian market and its start-up scene.

What is the eligibility criteria for the Big LEAP Project?

This program is for first and second-generation migrant-led businesses. To be considered, you must...

How many nationalities will be represented in the cohort?

We believe that a culturally diverse cohort brings new perspectives. We seek representation from as many countries of origin and cultures as possible for our program.

THE BIG LEAP Incubator Program

Facilitating International expansion for Australian founders

Submit your Expression of interest for upcoming programs to test & launch your startup in India

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Supported By

About the Program

Startups that are looking to expand globally have benefitted from guidance, networking, and immersion.

The Big LEAP is designed to take participants through a 12-month program to develop and sharpen their go-to-market strategy, to help them test new markets, and build a network for long term success. It includes digital workshops with industry and government guest speakers, business mentoring, group workshops for peer review and feedback, and more. It provides a much-needed bridge between the Australian and Indian markets. The program is led by a team of experienced mentors and experts in various fields, including digital marketing, business model, capital raising, and international expansion.

Program participants can expect to sharpen their growth plans and gain access to industry professionals towards international commercialisation. They will also have a solid go-to-market strategy, local on the ground contacts to assist with business expansion plans.

The Big LEAP incubator program leverages the deep skills, knowledge and firsthand experience of the Arrow Digital founding team, network, and its mission of making Australian entrepreneurs world-class since establishing in 2007.

Why India?

India’s 1.3 billion+ population presents a HUGE market with a wide spectrum of demographics and the needs and aspirations that come with it. Clocking 25 billion digital transactions per annum, India is forecast to become the largest global digital economy by 2030 overtaking the US.

A culturally diverse cohort brings new perspectives

tThe Big LEAP is led by two women business leaders and first-generation migrants to Australia, with an all-female support team of industry experts.

Arrow Digital’s goal is to pass on the learnings from helping more than a hundred startups raise capital and grow revenue by helping startups including regional, migrant owned, women-led with:

Commercialisation in new international markets with India as a test market
Investor attractiveness
Network facilitation, connections & community

Who is behind the Program

Jasmine Batra

Arrow Digital

Managing Director
Speciality: Strategic Marketing

Cerasela Tanasescu

La Trobe University

Director, Accelerator Programs
Specialty: Business Model

Elisa-Marie Dumas

Investible

Head of Programs & Partnerships
Specialty: Capital Raising

Priyanka Ravala

T-Hub India

Sr. Manager- International Programs
Specialty: International Expansion

FAQs

What can I expect from the program?

Our program helps founders draw on their unique strengths, sharpen their plans, hone their skills, test a new market with their offering and build a network for long term success. You’ll be challenged to pass to the next stage through a series of unique pitch competitions & business case presentations.

By the end of the program, you will have a solid go-to-market strategy and many local partnerships and contacts to assist with your business expansion plans, even if you don’t make it to the India trip at the end of the Immersion phase.

Eligibility

This program is open for Australian founders . To be considered the following must be met:

At least one member of the founding team must be an Australian resident
Business to encompass a scalable tech component.

You can submit an exprssion of interest for the next cohort of startups to [email protected]

How do I apply, and what information do I need to provide?

Submit your expression of interest and our program manager will get in touch when the next round of Big LEAP begins.

You will require various business documents and information to complete the process, including:

Revenue information & other key financials
Funding history
Strategy & goals
Patent details (if applicable)
A reference letter from a business associate or mentor
A 10-15 slide presentation deck introducing your business to us.

We recommend allowing yourself enough time to complete your application thoroughly. If you have any questions, please book a call here and chat with a friendly consultant.

What is the investment?

5Programs like this can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The Big LEAP program is heavily subsidised, especially where founder or cofounder come from a migrant heritage thanks to the AusIndustry Incubator Support Initiative to help start-ups develop the capabilities to succeed in international markets.

The commitment fee for the 12-month program is $3800. The 12-month program is divided into three phases with a challenge at the end of each phase. Those who pass the challenge proceed to the next phase. Program participants are required to pay the fee only if they make it to the next phase.

INTENSIVE (3 months) $950
ACCELERATOR (6 months) $1500
IMMERSION (3 Months) $1350

Do you offer a payment plan?

This is a highly subsidised program, divided into three stages. It will be billed accordingly, so if you make it to the Immersion phase, you will be billed in three instalments.

What happens if I am unable to make face-to-face sessions?

We get it! Running a startup is hard work and often throws up many challenges. The Big LEAP 12-month program is a hybrid model that works to your strengths. A mix of virtual and in-person sessions are spread out over the year, and we conduct our industry expert panels and personalised mentoring virtually according to our participants’ availability. Participants also have unlimited access to all the sessions to catch up at a time convenient to them.

Are there opportunities to connect with other participants and mentors?

Yes! This is at the heart of our program—to connect with like-minded founders and business leaders from different countries of origin. We encourage open discussion and collaboration through each step of our journey together, and there will be opportunities for networking and building a community through our dedicated Whitespace Facebook group.

Our mentors will also communicate their availability to answer questions and provide post-session guidance once the program is underway.

Is there a travel component to this course?

Yes, there will be an opportunity to travel to India for those our leaders deem to have a successful offering ready for this high-growth market. This forms the Immersion Phase and will be hosted by program partner T-Hub India.

Three participants from each cohort (one program per year over two years) will be selected, and the trip will run at the end of the second and final program year. It will be heavily subsidised through grant funding.