A program at the University of Melbourne is seeking to foster the next generation of ambitious Australian entrepreneurs.

The Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP), the first of its kind in Australia, builds on innovative ideas sparked by the passions and interests of students involved. So far projects have included a search engine for finding bargains, wheelchair mounted robot arms for people with quadriplegia and an electronic portable device that allows easy matching of paint colours, all of which are making the transition from the ether of ideas into reality.

The University’s Melbourne School of Engineering (MSE), which is hosting the program with the support of the Faculty of Business and Economics, is one of only a handful of institutions providing such an entrepreneurial program.

Rohan Workman, Manager of MAP said the program would help to develop successful entrepreneurial careers; “By supporting these budding entrepreneurs and providing office space, funding, and mentoring, our students, academics and alumni gain phenomenal exposure to a range of experts who can guide, advise and support them through the journey of innovation... who knows, we may see innovations that can revolutionise new tools for people with quadriplegia come out of this program.” 

More information on projects and people involved is available from the MAP website.