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Social Impact Incubator

Social impact incubator logo. Growing early-stage social enterprises in WA

Overview

The WA Social Enterprise Council (WASEC) is pleased to launch our inaugural Social Impact Incubator 2025 in line with our focus to build a thriving social enterprise sector in Western Australia. This highly subsidised 6 month incubator has been created in collaboration with the local social enterprise community to support early-stage Western Australian based social enterprises.

Drawing on the expertise of WASEC’s 300+ member network, the incubator will provide both practical skills and industry connections through expert-led sessions, interactive workshops, and real-world engagement. The incubator will provide you with tools, mentors, networks, investment pathways and support to help turn your bold ideas into a sustainable business.

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Outcomes

This incubator is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, mindset and connections to grow a viable social enterprise with lasting impact. The program will support you to:

  • Clarify your purpose and the problem you’re solving
  • Develop or strengthen your business and impact model
  • Build a clear brand and value proposition
  • Improve financial planning and budgeting skills
  • Explore funding options including grants and investment
  • Understand legal structures, governance, and risk
  • Measure and communicate your social impact
  • Streamline your operational systems, tools and team
  • Prepare and deliver a compelling pitch
  • Connect with mentors, peers, and the WA social enterprise ecosystem
  • Explore opportunities to grow your reach and impact

Schedule

Sessions will alternate between in-person workshops at a central Perth City location and online workshops delivered via Zoom. Applicants will need to have access to a computer with video and sound capability and stable internet connection to participate in interactive Zoom workshops.

Participants are expected to attend at least 80% of the sessions including the Pitch night in order to successfully complete the program.

  1. Thursday 7 August 2025 5:00 – 8:00pm (IN PERSON)
  2. Thursday 21 August 2025 5:00 – 8:00pm (ONLINE)
  3. Thursday 4 September 2025 5:00 – 8:00pm (IN PERSON)
  4. Thursday 18 September 2025 5:00 – 8:00pm (ONLINE)
  5. Thursday 2 October 2025 5:00 – 8:00pm (IN PERSON)
  6. Thursday 16 October 2025 5:00 – 8:00pm (ONLINE)
  7. Thursday 30 October 2025 5:00 – 8:00pm (IN PERSON)
  8. Thursday 13 November 2025 5:00 – 8:00pm (ONLINE)
  9. Thursday 27 November 2025 5:00 – 8:00pm (IN PERSON)
  10. Thursday 12 February 2026 5:00 – 8:00pm – Pitch Practice (IN PERSON)
  11. Thursday 26 February 2026 5:00 – 8:00pm – Pitch Night (IN PERSON)

Eligibility

Who is eligible to participate?

This program is open to current or emerging social enterprise founders or co-founders based in Western Australia. For example an impact-driven startup, a social enterprise, or a Not-for-profit with an enterprise arm. It is also suited to committed founders with strong ideas they are ready to develop.

Cost

How much does it cost?

With support from our funding partners, we are pleased to offer the incubator at a highly subsidised price. If this cost is still a barrier reach out to our WASEC team.

Travel bursaries will be available to assist some regional participants to participate in our in-person workshops and connect with everyone face to face.

$500 per participant (subsidised price)

APPLY

How do you apply?

To apply for the program simply complete the online application form below. Applications close Monday 21 July 2025.

Apply now

Need some help?

If you have any questions or need help completing your application send us an email. [email protected]

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FAQs:

  1. What will the program involve? The Social Impact Incubator is a highly subsidised 6 month program to support Western Australian based early stage social entrepreneurs who have an idea for a new social enterprise, or have launched a social enterprise but are still developing their impact and business model. 
  2. How many places are awarded each year? We intend to award up to 20 places in our 2025 program.
  3. What is included? Bi-weekly workshops led by experienced social entrepreneurs and subject matter experts, mixing short presentations, Q&A, and practical activities. Sessions will alternate between in-person and online. You’ll also get tools and templates to put ideas into action and wrap up by sharing your pitch at a final showcase event.
  4. What is the time commitment? Workshops every second week on Thursday evenings 5:00 – 8:00pm AWST from 7 August to 27 November. Then pitch practice on Thursday 12 February 2026 and the final pitch night on Thursday 26 February 2026.
  5. Where will sessions be held? Sessions will be held in a Perth CBD location and online via Zoom.
  6. What content will the workshops cover? Workshops cover all the steps to shape, test and grow your social enterprise — from purpose and problem definition to solutions, business models, branding, funding, impact measurement and pitching. Content is designed to suit you whether you’re starting with an idea or building on an existing venture.
  7. Who can apply for the incubator? Anyone with an idea for a new social enterprise or expansion to an existing social enterprise operating in Western Australia.
  8. What is a social enterprise? A social enterprise is a business that exists primarily to fulfill a social, environmental, or cultural mission, reinvesting the majority of its profits back into achieving this purpose.
  9. How are participants selected? Participants will be chosen based on whether the program is the right fit for their needs and stage of development. If we feel other support would suit you better, we’ll do our best to refer you to other programs or services that can help.
  10. How to apply? You will need to submit an online application form via the WASEC website. Applications for 2025 are open until Monday 21 July 2025 5:00pm AWST.
  11. Can we apply as a team? Recipients can be individuals or teams of up to two people. While it would be best for both members of the team to complete the entire program we would like at least one founder to attend the full program.
  12. What is the cost of the program? The cost is $500 per person. This is a highly subsidised price thanks to generous support from our program partners. Some travel bursaries are available for regional participants to cover some travel and accommodation expenses.
  13. I have participated in another incubator program can I still apply for this one? Yes if you have participated in another program you are very welcome to apply. The value of this program is not only in the content covered, but also in the connections made with your fellow participants and local social impact network.
  14. Can participants be under 18? This program is open to those aged 18 years and over at this stage.
  15. Attendance Requirements Participants are required to attend the introductory session and pitch night as well as 90% of the other sessions offered.
  16. What do I need to access the online sessions? To make sure you can participate fully in the interactive Zoom workshops you will need to have access to a computer with a webcam and microphone as well as a stable internet connection. While tablets and smart phones can access Zoom they may not support the interactive features of the platform.
  17. For more details contact [email protected]
FAQs
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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay my/our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.

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