AVIATE
PROGRAM FAQ
IS THE AVIATE PROGRAM AN INCUBATOR OR ACCELERATOR?
It’s neither! Accelerators are generally time-limited (three or six months) and incubators are generally co-working spaces that provide some advice and support. Aviate is a program, designed to help build impactful and sustainable social enterprises that is informed by our knowledge, research and expertise in social entrepreneurship.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IF I JOIN THE AVIATE PROGRAM?
Aviate offers individualised support involving social enterprise specific coaching, workshops, on-line resources, connection into the broader social enterprise ecosystem and possible Swinburne graduate student support to work on specific aspects of your social enterprise business model. Your time in The Studio will involve an ongoing process of reflection and adaptation.
HOW LONG DOES THE AVIATE PROGRAM RUN FOR?
This depends on you and your social enterprise. Planning and developing a social enterprise is highly iterative – many things don’t pan out the way they are expected to – so, it is important that there is room to move forward and backward through the development process. We also know that enterprises join us with differing personal and organisational competencies; the length of time you spend as an Aviate Enterprise is determined by your needs and your progress.
WHAT IS MY CONTRIBUTION?
Joining the Aviate Program requires a one-off $500 contribution towards the cost of support. The remainder of the cost of your support is covered by Swinburne and our partner, Equity Trustees.
In addition to the financial contribution, social enterprises contribute their time and resources towards developing their idea, both inside and outside The Studio. Within The Studio, we expect to meet with you regularly to progress our work together.
Aviate Enterprises also contribute to the generation and sharing of knowledge by participating in The Studio’s research.
DO I HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RESEARCH?
The Studio research is important because we are committed to sharing our knowledge publicly and freely to strengthen the social enterprise ecosystem. When you join Aviate, you also agree to contribute to our research. However, the research contribution doesn’t take a lot of your time. Also, our public research outputs are anonymous; we don’t publish anything that could identify you or your social enterprise without your consent.
I'M NOT BASED IN MELBOURNE, CAN I STILL APPLY?
Yes, but you would have to be comfortable with working remotely and funding any travel to meet with us as needed. If you would like to discuss this with us, please mention this when you apply.
WILL I HAVE A COHORT EXPERIENCE?
Yes, but no! The Aviate Program builds a community of practice specific to each Studio Enterprise. This means that at times, Aviate Enterprises will come together and at other times, we will work with Enterprises one-on-one. We will work with you to build a community that includes The Studio Team, other Aviate Enterprises, advisors, the broader social enterprise sector, philanthropy and social finance, mentors and students.
DO YOU WORK AT THE ENTREPRENEUR OR ORGANISATIONAL LEVEL?
To join the Aviate Program, you must have a social enterprise (or an idea for one). We work with you on the development of your social enterprise (or idea).
Aviate is not a leadership program or a social entrepreneur development course. That said, in moving through The Aviate Program you will develop competencies as a social entrepreneur, necessary to launch an impactful and sustainable social enterprise.
