Early-stage, local and practical: I2N’s pre-accelerator opens its next intake
With applications now open and an information session scheduled for February, the University of Newcastle’s Integrated Innovation Network is positioning its pre-accelerator as a practical first step for Hunter and Central Coast founders who want structured support to test ideas, build capability and decide what comes next.
The University of Newcastle’s Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) closed 2025 with strong participation across its education, mentoring and startup programs, while quietly expanding the entry points for early-stage founders.
Over the past year, I2N delivered new program streams, hosted multiple innovation challenges and broadened its engagement with students, researchers and first-time founders. Among the developments was the expansion of its accelerator offering to include Healthtech alongside Cleantech and All-Industries, as well as the delivery of international startup experiences in Taiwan and Hong Kong for students.
Program satisfaction scores remained high across I2N’s offerings, with the pre-accelerator recording a Net Promoter Score of 96. Since 2019, founders supported through I2N programs have raised more than $63.2 million in capital and created over 279 jobs.
Where new founders start
While much of the attention in startup ecosystems tends to focus on scaling and investment, I2N is placing renewed attention on what happens earlier — before a venture is ready for an accelerator.
The I2N Pre-Accelerator is an eight-week program designed for up to 30 teams who are still testing whether an idea, product or service has a viable customer and business model. The program is aimed at ambitious tech founders headquartered in the Hunter and Central Coast regions and is delivered in Newcastle and Gosford.
Participants receive structured workshops led by subject matter experts, weekly coaching from a dedicated Entrepreneur in Residence, peer networking opportunities and access to I2N’s perk partners. The program is positioned as a preparatory pathway into I2N’s accelerator streams rather than a standalone endpoint.
I2N describes the purpose of this early-stage focus clearly:
“The Pre-accelerator helps ambitious founders quickly and cost-effectively validate market pathways for their ideas, inventions, or research projects.”
Turning interest into action
To support prospective applicants, I2N will host a Pre-Accelerator Information Session on 11 February. The session will walk through the structure of the program, who it is designed for, and what participants can expect to gain.
The agenda includes an overview of the program, detail on the support provided, insights from program alumni and a live question-and-answer session with the I2N team. The event is aimed at founders who may be unsure whether their idea is ready for an accelerator or who want to understand what validation looks like in practice.
For I2N, these sessions form part of a broader approach that combines programs, co-working spaces and university-led courses to build capability across the region’s startup pipeline.
An open door into the ecosystem
Operating as part of the University of Newcastle, I2N brings together students, researchers and startup founders through its programs, hub memberships and elective courses. Its activities are supported by partners including Trailblazer for Recycling & Clean Energy, Central Coast Living Lab, the NSW Government and Davies Collison Cave.
As applications for the next pre-accelerator intake remain open, I2N is encouraging early-stage innovators to make contact, attend events and use the program as a way to test ideas in a structured environment before committing to scale.
More information about the I2N Pre-Accelerator and upcoming events is available through I2N’s program pages, with the February information session offering a practical starting point for founders deciding what to do next.
