Pre-accelerator Program
Anyone Can Build
For Bla(c)k Women and Women of Colour in Queensland
Anyone Can Build is a 100% scholarship-based pre-accelerator for Bla(c)k women and Women of Colour in Queensland to take your startup to the next level in 13 weeks. You’ll get $1k co-matched funding, validate your idea, build a better product and pitch your business idea to mentors and investors.
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Program Highlights
Anyone Can Build is a 13-week pre-accelerator program designed to empower CALD women founders in Queensland to start a business. Led by experienced founders and investors, many of whom are successful CALD women entrepreneurs, this program provides a safe, inclusive space where you can develop your ideas, connect with mentors, and gain the confidence to take your Innovation-Driven Enterprise (IDE) to the next level.
Anyone Can Build is designed to support you:
- Develop the skills and confidence to turn ideas into action.
- Connect with a community of CALD founders and mentors who share your vision.
- Access tools, knowledge, and networks that empower you to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.
- Test and grow your idea with $1,000 AUD co-matched funding opportunity (GST inclusive).
Program Details
Anyone Can Build has 4 cohorts in 2025-2026. Each runs over 13 weeks and is designed to fit around your work, study, and caring responsibilities.
Timeline:
- Cohort 1: March - May 2025
- Cohort 2:July - October 2025
- Cohort 3: February - May 2026
- Cohort 4: July - October 2026
- 1 self-paced learning module and practical exercise
- 1 live session (either Group Mentoring or Ask Me Anything) on Wednesdays, 5:30–6:30 PM AEST
- Office hours every second Thursday for peer support and feedback
- In-person events at key milestones
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, participants in Anyone Can Build must be:
- 18+, women-identifying and based in Queensland
- From a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background
- Already have an idea and is at the pretotype/prototype stage
- Innovative, ambitious, and ready to commit over 13 weeks
Key Dates for Cohort 3
Applications Open
1 December 2025
Applications Close
11:59 PM AEST (midnight) 8 February 2026
Successful Applicants Contacted
Week commencing 9 February 2026
Program Kicks off
18 February 2026
Pitch Night
14 May 2026
Application Process
What you'll need:
-
Completed application form (takes 15-20 minutes)
-
Brief responses about your business, goals, and commitment
Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a brief interview.
If you have any accessibility requirements or need help to complete this application, please contact hello@thecco.com.au
Anyone Can's Backstory
We have a deep care for the start-up community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Black Women, and Women of Colour. Before launching our program, we conducted Australia's first research into funding equity, which helped us understand the support that these founders require. This research culminated in the creation of our startup program, Anyone Can.
What you'll learn
Week 1: Founder Mindset, Ecosystem & Startup Tech Stack Overview
Week 2: Mental Health, Navigating Bias, Productivity, Performance
Week 3: Financial Literacy 101
Week 4: Problem Validation
Week 5: Customer Research
Week 6: Marketing/Community Building
Week 7: Break
Week 8: Designing, Prototyping, Testing Products Customers Love
Week 9: Go To Market (Position, Price)
Week 10: Go To Market (Promote & Distribute)
Week 11: Fundraising & Traction (Term Sheets, Legals)
Week 12: Pitch Coaching
Week 13: Pitch Competition
Key Benefits
$1,000 Co-Matched funding pool
A co-matched award pool of up to $1000 raised *Funds available until the pool is exhausted.
Extensive support
Ask questions and get all the answers throughout your 13-week experience.
Training
Training to build core startup skills that will also take your employability to the next level
Mentoring
Weekly 1:1 mentoring with a dedicated mentor
Access to experts
Access to industry experts through weekly workshops and office hours
Access to the business landscape
Access to opportunities and networks through direct referrals and introductions
Safe space
A safe space where as a Bla(c)k or Woman of Colour you're not the "other" or the "token", you make up the family
Community
Become a part of a vibrant community of ambitious Bla(c)k and Women of Colour revolutionising the business ecosystem in Australia
Pitch-readiness
Learn to nail your pitch to customers and investors whilst overcoming imposter syndrome
Alumni
I've always believed the universe works with a touch of magic and through the Anyone Can Build program, and the inspiring people I've met, I’ve seen that magic unfold in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.
Giselle Torres Pabo, Cohort 1
Upcoming Dates for Cohort 2
Thursday 11th August, 5:00 pm AEST
1. Applications open
Tuesday 29th August, 6:30 pm AEST
2. AMA Session - Online Event
Tuesday 05th September, 11:59 pm AEST
3. Applications close
Friday 29th September by 5:00 pm AEST
4. Finalists notified
Tuesday 17th October, 6:00 pm AEST
5. Program commences: In-person Orientation event
Thursday 30th November, 5:30 pm AEST
6. Pitch Competition: In-person event
Still have questions? Attend our upcoming AMA event!
Our next AMA event is at 6pm AEST on the 24th of August- dial in from wherever you are and ask us any questions you have.
Register your interest and we'll email you the event link!
Upcoming Events
Join CALD women founders at our events across Queensland. Network, learn, and grow your startup journey with the Anyone Can Build community.
Networking Night & Info Session for Cohort 3
📅 Date & Time: 22 January 2026, 5:00 - 7:30 PM AEST
📍 Location: Brisbane, QLD
👥 Who Should Attend: CALD women entrepreneurs, startup founders, and prospective Cohort 3 applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions, have a read through our FAQs. If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact us at hello@thecco.com.au.
How much time am I required to dedicate to the program?
Each week includes around 1.5–2 hours of live contact time, including compulsory Ask Me Anything sessions with experts or mentoring sessions on Wednesdays, 5:30–6:30 PM AEST, plus optional office hours.
In addition to live sessions, you should plan to spend 2–5 hours per week (either after work or on the weekend) completing the online modules and applying what you learn to your business.
Because places in the program are limited, we strongly recommend checking your schedule before applying to ensure you can commit to the program. This helps us offer places to participants who are able to fully engage and benefit from the experience.
I already have a business and/or am progressing on my idea, should I still apply for this program?
Yes, as long as your business or idea is still in the early stages.
Anyone Can Build is a pre-accelerator program, best suited for founders who:
- Have an idea, pretotype, or early prototype
- Are still validating their problem, customer, or business model
- Want support to strengthen their foundations before scaling
Do I have to pay if I got accepted into the program?
No, you are not required to pay any fee. All places are offered on a scholarship basis thanks to Queensland Government.
What if I am not accepted into the program?
There are only limited slots for each cohort of the program. We will be running two cohorts each year in 2025 and in 2026. If we are unable to offer you a spot for this cohort due to the numbers, we will offer you a spot for the next cohort. So keep a look out for future programs!
Proudly supported by Queensland Government
Who are The Creative Co-Operative?
The Creative Co-Operative is the first 100% migrant Woman of Colour owned, led and operated social enterprise in Australia that is dedicated to challenging the economic and social access barriers experienced by (migrant) Women of Colour as a result of systemic racism. We are a startup delivering professional services and employing people and engaging third party suppliers who identify as BIWOC in performing our work. Revenue generated is re-distributed to support community projects or fundraisers to raise awareness of and/or address systemic racism.