Deadline Date: May 05, 2026
The Generation Next is a fully funded grant program designed to empower early-stage female entrepreneurs from ASEAN and Australia to scale their businesses globally and drive economic growth.
The programme focuses on accelerating business growth and economic empowerment for women founders, building cross-border connections, scaling startups on a global stage, developing leadership and personal brand, refining business models and capital strategies, enhancing go-to-market approaches, and fostering participation in the digital economy through innovation in AI, fintech, digital trade, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, platform technologies, and other technology-driven solutions.
The fully funded grant covers the 13-week program, 8 nights in 4-star accommodation, return flights to Melbourne, local transport, daily meals, coworking space, over 30 industry workshops, HEXPO VIP event tickets, mentoring, and a university certificate, providing a value of over $10,000 AUD.
Over 13 transformative weeks, Generation Next combines interactive online learning, tailored mentoring, and immersive real-world experiences to help participants fast-track their startup success. The program begins by building a strong cohort community and guiding founders through understanding their personal and professional values. Participants then refine their personal brand and storytelling skills while learning to identify customer problems and rapid prototyping techniques.
The programme also focuses on designing and refining solutions, creating user stories, developing minimum viable products, and implementing branding and digital marketing strategies. Founders gain practical insights into business model optimization, funding approaches, and preparing for investment opportunities. A key component is the 7-day trade mission in Melbourne, where participants network, attend industry workshops, and engage with global markets.
Through pitch training, leadership development, and guidance on entering international markets, participants leave with a strengthened go-to-market strategy and an enhanced personal brand. The final weeks emphasize reflection, future planning, and establishing ongoing mentoring and support systems through the Generation Next community.
Eligible participants are women aged 18–40 from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, or Timor-Leste, running early-stage startups, small businesses, or social enterprises with prototypes, early customers, or early revenue.
For more information, visit HEX.
