Deadline Date: August 10, 2026
Impact X is a free 10-week pre-accelerator program designed to support women and culturally diverse founders across New South Wales (NSW) in building, testing, and growing innovative health solutions with real-world impact.
The program focuses on health innovation, early-stage venture development, idea validation with real users, understanding the health system, business model development, founder coaching, mentorship, pitch development, health entrepreneurship, community building, and strengthening connections within the health innovation ecosystem.
Supported by Investment NSW and delivered as part of the Greater Western Sydney Program, Impact X builds on previous health startup initiatives to provide founders with a structured pathway from concept to venture. The program is tailored to help participants navigate the unique challenges of health innovation, including complex systems, multiple stakeholders, and long adoption pathways.
Over the course of 10 weeks, participants will validate their ideas with real users, understand how their solutions fit within the healthcare system, develop a clear business model, and strengthen their ability to communicate and pitch their ventures confidently.
Founders selected for the program will participate in practical workshops led by experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, receive weekly one-on-one coaching from an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, benefit from structured mentor feedback, and join a supportive community of innovators developing health-focused solutions. Participants will also have the opportunity to present their ventures at the Impact X Showcase to industry, government, and ecosystem leaders while building valuable connections across the broader health innovation sector.
The program offers up to $30,000 in founder support and showcase awards. It is open to founders based in NSW who identify as women or come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including those from non-English speaking or migrant communities. Applicants should have identified a genuine problem in health or healthcare, possess an early-stage idea with practical potential, and be prepared to dedicate the time and effort required to develop their venture.
Priority will be given to founders who are based in or have strong connections to Greater Western Sydney, as well as regional and remote communities across NSW.
For more information, visit UNSW Founders.
