About HATCH
The HATCH Accelerator Program is designed to help ecopreneurs take their idea from vision to reality. If you are a not-for-profit or social enterprise founder or start up with a venture that will drive positive change for wildlife, biodiversity and the environment then we are here to support you.
We are excited that the 2023 HATCH Accelerator Program will be run in collaboration with the Odonata Foundation, which means we have amplified and multiplied the opportunities that come through joining this program.
Program highlights:
- $50,000 prize. No strings attached – free to participate, no equity required
- $2,000 equity free seed funding per initiative
- Available to applications Australia wide
- Travel and accommodation included
- Expert advice from Impact Boom, Entrepreneur in Residence and delivery partner
- Social enterprise or not-for-profit ventures accepted
- Access to Taronga’s and Odonata’s expert network and individual team support
- Access to the Odonata impact investor panel led by Nigel Sharp
- Additional prizes up to $30,000 and pathways for regenerative agriculture innovations and ideas
- Additional prizes and awards up to $5,000 each in top tier business management consulting packages, tailored to your needs
- One year membership into the Wild People Alumni Network and platform providing exclusive trade benefits and continuous collaboration and promotion opportunities all year
Accelerator Program 2023
The HATCH Accelerator Program is all about supporting ecopreneurs to take their idea from vision to reality. If you are a not-for-profit or social enterprise founder with a venture that will drive positive change for wildlife and the environment, we have an amazing network of mentors and experts who can help you bring your vision to life and reach your goals sooner. And at the end of the program one team will receive the $50,000 HATCH Grant!
The program is open Australia-wide 18 years and older, to individuals and teams who have at minimum completed their business model canvas and demonstrated initial traction through first round market testing, and are seeking to accelerate their development and path to impact.
Places are limited and selection is merit based. If you’re keen to be part of the next Accelerator Program, please register your interest and we’ll be in touch with more information.
Program structure
Program dates
HATCH delivery team
The HATCH program is led by Belinda Fairbrother, Tom Allen and Nadia Nath, with involvement and support from other members of the Taronga and Impact Boom teams.
Belinda Fairbrother - Co-Founder
Belinda is the Co-Founder of the HATCH: Taronga Accelerator Program. Belinda has over fifteen years of experience in the not-for-profit sector focussing on behaviour change, conservation and sustainability, and is passionate about helping changemakers bring their brilliant ideas to life.
Tom Allen - Entrepreneur in Residence
Tom is Founder and CEO of Impact Boom. As a certified social enterprise and leading intermediary, Impact Boom helps entrepreneurs and innovators unleash their greatest potential to create a better world. Tom has worked closely with hundreds of social entrepreneurs globally to maximise their impact and is proud to be supporting HATCH as the Entrepreneur in Residence and delivery partner.
Nadia Nath
Nadia leads commercial strategy and projects at Odonata Foundation, with experience in managing nature based tourism businesses and startups up to $40m. Nadia co-founded Edge Pledge crowdfunding platform (acquired), and has managed diverse impact portfolios, strategic projects and brands for Tiverton Rothwell Partners. Skilled in the creating pitches, fundraising and story-telling for purpose, Nadia draws on 15 years of investor relations and central government transformation leadership.
HATCH mentors and experts
HATCH participants are supported by a range of mentors and experts from across the startup, business, and for-purpose arenas, as well as Taronga’s in-house expertise in conservation, community engagement, education and not-for-profit management. A huge vote of thanks to our mentors and experts for their commitment to support the HATCH participants and program.
Alex de Aboitiz
Julie Alexander
Culture, business performance & people change specialist | MC & speaker, facilitator & trainer | Leadership & exec coach
Warren Bingham
Francisco Caffarena
David Chung
Tanya Christie
Madeline Cunningham
Jack Dean
Bradley Delamare
Robyn Foyster
Matt Gillam
Product & Engineering Leadership | Technology Strategy | Digital Transformation & Scale-Up
Jarod Green
Kylie Green
Emily Rose Hills
Ryan Kaveney
Tim Middlemiss
Obama Foundation Leader: Asia Pacific - consulting on Social Impact | Strategic Communications | Creative Campaigns
Sam Marwood
Sam Founder Cultivate Farms, CEO Odonata Foundation, values driven leader and entrepreneur, passionate about supporting the business of biodiversity. Sam also founded the Odonata Wild Idea business incubator program and is a driving force for collaboration and positive change for the environment and culture.
Stuart Reynolds
Ian Roth
Former Chief Veterinary Officer at NSW DPI
Taronga Conservation Society Australia Board Member
Tim Silverwood
Jill Storey
CEO ReadyFundGo | Non-Executive Director I Strategy, Innovation, Sustainability, Digital Disruption, CSR
