The Plus Eight Western Sydney Sprint is a six-week skill-building program designed to support early-stage founders and small business owners operating in Western Sydney. Delivered by Spacecubed and supported by the NSW Government, the program focuses on helping participants test ideas, strengthen business fundamentals, and build momentum toward scalable ventures. It combines practical learning with local ecosystem access at the Western Sydney Startup Hub.
Program Structure and Core Curriculum
Duration and Commitment: The program runs for six weeks, with weekly two-hour masterclasses held on Thursday evenings to accommodate active founders.
Sprint-Based Learning: Sessions follow a structured sprint format, guiding participants through problem definition, solution exploration, testing, and iteration.
Design Sprint Approach: The curriculum draws on Google Design Sprint principles, emphasizing rapid ideation, prototyping, and validation.
Founder Skills Development: Masterclasses cover key startup topics relevant to early-stage execution and decision-making.
Pitch Preparation: The program concludes with a pitch showcase where participants present their progress.
Participant Benefits and Resources
Mentorship: Participants gain access to experienced founders, operators, and industry mentors from the Plus Eight and Spacecubed networks.
Coworking Access: Founders receive coworking access at the Western Sydney Startup Hub for the duration of the program.
Digital Infrastructure: Participants join a private Slack community and access an online Learning Management System (LMS) with program materials.
Showcase Opportunity: The program culminates in a final Pitch Night attended by ecosystem stakeholders.
Community Integration: Founders become part of the broader Spacecubed and Plus Eight founder network.
Eligibility and Regional Focus
Geographic Requirement: Open exclusively to founders and businesses owned or operated within the 13 local government areas of Western Sydney.
Stage Relevance: Designed for founders at an early stage, including those validating an idea or refining an existing business.
Cost Structure: Participation is fully funded for selected applicants.
Upcoming Cohort Dates
February 2026 Cohort: Applications close on January 27, 2026. The cohort runs from February 3 to March 31, 2026.
Application Process: Applicants must complete an online application outlining their business and objectives for the program.
The Plus Eight Western Sydney Sprint serves as an entry point for founders looking to move from early ideas to clearer validation and execution. By combining structured weekly learning with physical workspace and local mentorship, the program aims to strengthen founder capability and entrepreneurial activity across Western Sydney.