Runway HQ Startup Incubator Program: What It Is & Why It Matters

What It Is?

Runway HQ’s Incubator is a startup accelerator program designed to help founders move from validated ideas to market-ready products or services. Through structured learning, expert coaching, and hands-on support, participants get to build prototypes or minimal viable products (MVPs), refine business models, and sharpen their pitch to real audiences.

Eligibility & Who Should Apply

• People who’ve already done some idea validation (i.e. they’ve tested whether their idea might work), and are now ready to build out something tangible.
  The program is well suited for founders who want structured, high-support environments to learn by doing.
  Social enterprises, B Corps, nonprofits, charities — indeed, any mission-driven business — that need to reduce risk, stretch limited resources, and develop tools and networks to scale with impact.

Cost & Funders

Participation fee: AUD $250 + GST, which is heavily subsidised. Runway HQ estimates the real per participant cost is about AUD $8,000
Funding support comes from LaunchVic and other stakeholders, which makes the program accessible.

Delivery Format & Location

• Duration: 4 months.
  Breakdown: Delivered online two days a week (Mondays for group content or masterclasses, Tuesdays for one-on-one & group coaching).
  At the end, participants pitch their idea publicly at a launch event in either Geelong or Ballarat.
  Geographically, the program is delivered in Geelong & Ballarat, but accepts applications from a broader region, from Surfcoast to Goldfields.
  
  

Key Dates for Cohort #18

• Applications close: midnight, Sunday 22 February 2026
  Notification of outcomes: Monday 2 March 2026
  Program begins: Tuesday 17 March 2026
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  Why It’s Important for Social Enterprises, B Corps, Charities & Nonprofits
  Lowering Risk of Early Investment
• For mission-driven ventures, financial and reputational risk is always present early on. This program offers a low-cost way to test, validate, and build proof of concept before making bigger bets.
  Access to Expertise & Networks
  Most social enterprises and nonprofits don’t always have in-house business development, product design, or go-to-market experience. The masterclasses, coaching, and connections here are especially valuable.
  Geographical & Regional Reach
  It accepts folks across a wide regional area, it helps socially driven founders who are outside major cities access high-quality support.
• The subsidised cost means that the financial burden is reduced, making it more feasible for organisations that prioritise impact over profit margins.