Why the best place to start(up) is at university
Technology’s rapid growth continues to fuel Australia’s thriving startup culture. Today, more Australians are building new ventures, applications and Ai tools, often from the ground up, to get into their chosen industry or solve problems in new ways.
While Silicon Valley remains the global hub, Australia’s startup hubs have matured quickly. Cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are now ranked among the world’s top emerging startup hotspots.
Australia’s tech and startup sector supports over 860,000 jobs and contributes more than $167 billion to the national economy. As business and technology continue to evolve, more people feel empowered to launch ideas – and this contribution is only set to grow.
One thing many successful startups have in common is that their first seeds were planted at university. For many founders, university is the first time they’re surrounded by diverse, talented peers, with the freedom and structure to test ideas and build prototypes in a supportive environment.
This is where a strong university startup incubator can make all the difference. From mentorship and funding access to networking opportunities, these programs give future founders a springboard to turn classroom concepts into thriving companies.
This is by no means a new development either. Childhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen created Microsoft while Gates was studying at Harvard. The meteoric rise of Facebook – originally a university networking site – began while Mark Zuckerberg also attended the noted American university.
More than 80 per cent of Australian startup founders are university graduates (Startup Muster, 2023). This shows how the learning, networks and skills built during university continue to play a vital role in turning an idea into an enterprise, boosting innovation, especially in tech, Ai and data sectors.
Across Australia, universities now run more than 100 programs to help students and alumni turn ideas into real ventures. From the Bond Business Accelerator and Flinders’ New Ventures Institute to RMIT Activator – one of Australia’s most dynamic university startup incubators, where students have access to mentoring, skills training and networks to launch.
RMIT is recognised among the best universities for startups, offering hands-on opportunities to collaborate, prototype and scale through its Activator programs and innovation ecosystem. Students not only gain entrepreneurial experience but also learn to lead projects that make measurable industry impacts.
In addition, specialised online study in business analytics, Ai strategy and data science gives future founders the practical edge to test ideas, make smart data-driven decisions, and scale their ventures faster. When supported in an engaging university environment, Australians of all ages can play a powerful role in growing the startup economy – here and globally.
Whether you’re looking to build your own startup, join a fast-growing company or lead innovation inside an established business, practical skills in business analytics, Ai and data are more valuable than ever. If you’re searching for the best universities for startups or looking to join a thriving start up hub, explore how RMIT’s flexible online programs can help you gain the knowledge, networks and confidence to launch your next big idea. 1.
Speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor today on 1300 701 171 to find out how RMIT can help you take your startup ambitions further.