The Female Founders Pre-Accelerator (FFP) is an intensive, cohort-based pre-accelerator designed to support early-stage founders in validating ideas and building scalable startups. By combining structured educational content with practical guidance, mentorship, and peer support, the program helps founders progress from initial concept to a clearer, more validated business direction. The initiative provides a supportive learning environment and a structured pathway for founders to build confidence, capability, and momentum at the earliest stages of their startup journey.
Core Program Components and Learning Framework
The Founders Course:
Participants gain access to a structured, self-paced learning curriculum covering core startup fundamentals. Content focuses on areas such as customer discovery, problem validation, product-market fit, and lean startup principles.
Weekly Small-Group Coaching:
Founders participate in facilitated group coaching sessions designed to explore real business challenges, encourage peer learning, and provide accountability throughout the program.
Expert-Led Masterclasses:
The program includes live masterclasses delivered by experienced startup practitioners, founders, and ecosystem experts, offering practical insights and real-world perspectives.
Peer Community Network:
Participants become part of the Startup Onramp founder community, enabling collaboration, shared learning, and ongoing peer support during and after the program.
Key Curriculum Focus Areas
Idea Validation:
Approaches to testing assumptions, understanding customer problems, and validating ideas before committing significant time or resources.
Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Development:
Guidance on shaping and refining early product concepts to enable learning through real user feedback.
Growth Foundations:
Introduction to early traction strategies, customer acquisition thinking, and building a repeatable foundation for growth.
Founder Capability Building:
Practical frameworks to help founders develop decision-making, execution discipline, and startup-ready mindsets.
Eligibility and Target Audience Profile
Startup Maturity:
The program is designed for early-stage founders at the idea stage, pre-launch, or very early market entry.
Sector Focus:
The pre-accelerator is sector-agnostic and supports founders building scalable and innovative business models.
Geographic Focus:
The Female Founders Pre-Accelerator is focused on founders based in Queensland, Australia, with at least one female founder on the team.
Commitment Level:
Participants are expected to actively engage in the cohort, including coaching sessions, learning activities, and community participation.
Outcomes and Founder Support
Founder Readiness:
The program helps founders gain clarity, structure, and confidence to continue building their startup beyond the idea stage.
Ecosystem Connection:
Participants are introduced to the broader Startup Onramp ecosystem and supported pathways for further acceleration and growth programs.
Ongoing Community Access:
Graduates retain access to the Startup Onramp founder community, enabling continued peer learning and connection as their ventures evolve.
The Female Founders Pre-Accelerator serves as an early-stage foundation for founders seeking to take their first structured steps into startup building. By focusing on validation, learning, and community, the program supports founders in reducing early-stage risk and preparing for the next phase of their entrepreneurial journey.