MONTHLY OFFICE HOURS
Transform your innovative ideas into viable businesses through personalised, high-impact 1:1 mentorship sessions with seasoned founders and industry experts.
UPCOMING
Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, 26 August
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Cohort Event Space
Office Hours with Tim Walmsley
Join us for an exclusive NextGen Office Hours session with Tim Walmsley on “How Startups Actually Get Funded”
Tim will be presenting on funding and bootstrapping – covering how founders actually get money for their startup, from bootstrapping and grants through to angel investment and raising capital properly.
With only 8 spots available for 1:1s, it’s first in best dressed, so secure your place quickly!
Come prepared to make the most of this valuable opportunity, maximising both your time and Tim’s expert guidance.
Schedule:
📝 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Workshop on Startup Funding
💡 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: 1:1 Mentoring Sessions (limited availability)
Secure your spot now and take your ideas to the next level! 🚀
PAST EVENTS
Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, 15 April
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Cohort Event Space
Office Hours with Ali Stokes
Ali Stokes is the Co-Founder of Beyond The Clinic, a digital health startup improving patient engagement with data-driven solutions. With over 15 years of experience in healthcare and business, Ali has turned early-stage ideas into practical, impactful ventures.
On April 15, she’ll be leading a hands-on workshop, “From Idea to First Step,” designed to help students take their ideas from concept to action. You’ll learn how to identify your first steps, test your ideas in the real world, and gain clarity on where to focus your energy.
Ali is known for her clear, actionable guidance and her ability to make complex startup concepts accessible to beginners.
This is a great opportunity to learn from her experience, get practical advice, and build confidence in taking the next step with your ideas.
Schedule:
📝 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Workshop on Idea to First Step
💡 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: 1:1 Mentoring Sessions (limited availability)
Secure your spot now and take your ideas to the next level! 🚀
Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, 11 March
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Cohort Event Space
Office Hours with Thor Berg
Thor is the Founder of Bloody Good Tests, one of the most exciting early stage health ventures to come out of the Gold Coast in recent years. He has hands on experience building a startup from the ground up, validating problems with real users, and navigating the highs and lows of early stage founder life.
Thor brings a practical, no fluff approach to entrepreneurship and is known for giving honest, useful advice that helps founders move faster.
This is an awesome chance to learn directly from his experience, ask questions, and refine your ideas.
Do not miss the opportunity to connect with someone who has been in the trenches and knows what it takes to get momentum.
Schedule:
📝 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Workshop on Startup 101
💡 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: 1:1 Mentoring Sessions (limited availability)
Secure your spot now and take your ideas to the next level! 🚀
Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, 2 July
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Griffith Innovation Centre (GIC – GX01_1.01) & Cohort Innovation Space
Office Hours with Tim Walmsley
In this session, Tim will share insights from his Founder Journey, including what it takes to build and grow a startup, the realities of navigating the early stages, and lessons learned along the way.
BenchOn is a technology platform that helps large organisations find and work with the right suppliers and contractors, solving major procurement challenges across industries.
As a former Army Officer, Tim also brings strong experience in government procurement, strategic business development, and capability building, offering a unique perspective on leadership, resilience, and building companies that solve real world problems.
Come along to hear directly from Tim, ask questions, and gain practical insights into what it really takes to start and build something from the ground up.
Schedule:
📝 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Workshop on Building a Startup
💡 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: 1:1 Mentoring Sessions (limited availability)
Secure your spot now and take your ideas to the next level! 🚀
PAST EVENTS
Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, 30 April
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Griffith Innovation Centre (GIC – GX01_1.01) & Cohort Innovation Space
Office Hours with Ali Stokes
Join us for our next Office Hours with Ali Stokes, Co-Founder of Beyond The Clinic.
Ali will be running a session on Developing Business Models, one of the most important foundations in early stage startups. A business model explains how a company makes money, who it serves, how it delivers value, and what it costs to operate. Even if you do not have a startup yet, this is the perfect chance to start shaping one.
With more than 15 years in healthcare and deep experience in commercial strategy, Ali brings a powerful mix of clinical understanding and business knowledge. At Beyond The Clinic, she built a digital platform that improves patient engagement through data driven insights.
Schedule:
📝 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Workshop on Building a Startup
💡 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: 1:1 Mentoring Sessions (limited availability)
Secure your spot now and take your ideas to the next level! 🚀
WHAT WE OFFER
- Tailored Strategic Guidance: Receive personalised advice precisely calibrated to your startup’s unique challenges and opportunities
- Direct Access to Experienced Founders: Gain insights from entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated the startup ecosystem
- Idea Refinement & Growth Strategies: Develop robust business models, validate hypotheses, and craft actionable growth plans
2025 OFFICE HOURS SCHEDULE
Office Hours 2025 Schedule:
- March 19th – Session 1: Ideation & Concept Validation
- April 30th – Session 2: Business Model Development
- July 2nd – Session 3: Navigating the Startup Journey
- November 5th – Session 4: Scaling & Growth Strategies
LIMITED SLOTS AVAILABLE!
How to Participate:
- Each session is 30 minutes long
- Join by filling out our Expression of Interest (EOI) form here
- Select your preferred date/session when applying
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE
Where is it?
Program is hosted at the Griffith Innovation Center (GIC), located within the Cohort Innovation Space in Southport (16 Nexus Way, Southport).
When does the program start?
The program is now underway, featuring a lineup of events throughout the year, including pitch nights, fireside chats, industry study tours, hackathons, and more!
The NextGen program is continuously taking student applicants, so apply now to receive a personal invite for activity announcements and key dates.
Who can join?
This program supports students across diverse research pathways, including full-time and part-time researchers, online learners, and undergraduate and postgraduate students. It is open to all enrolled students eager to turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures.
Can I join online?
NextGen is intentionally designed as an in-person program, giving you the chance to meet some of the biggest names in the startup ecosystem while connecting with like-minded students.
Some dates clash with my schedule, should I still apply?
Definitely! We run multiple programs and events throughout the year, so we recommend signing up to stay in the loop and not miss out on an amazing opportunity.
Do I get student credits from participating in NextGen?
At this time, we’re unable to provide university credits for work completed at NextGen due to differing academic rubrics across universities.
However, students who complete the program will receive a certificate from Cohort Innovation Space, along with references from the Cohort team, recognising their participation and achievements.
How much is it to join?
Thanks to our partnership with Griffith University and supporters from Advance Queensland, the program is completely FREE for students.
