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Anyone Can Build

For Bla(c)k Women and Women of Colour who want to build and scale startups

Powered by Advance Queensland, Anyone Can Build is a 13-week pre-accelerator program designed to empower CALD women founders in Queensland. 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.

Whether you’re launching a cutting-edge tech solution, building an MVP, or striving to create sustainable business growth, this program is for you.

💡Validate Your Idea: Learn to test and refine your business model based on real customer feedback.

💪 Strengthen Your Skills: Build expertise in financial literacy, marketing, fundraising, and leadership.

👐 Expand Your Network: Connect with mentors, industry experts, and a community of like-minded founders.

🚀 Elevate Your Business: Pitch your idea to industry leaders, receive expert feedback, and gain valuable insights to refine your business

💰 Unlock Funding Support: Raise funds for your startup, and we’ll match up to $1,000 AUD, giving you extra financial support to fuel your growth, test your ideas, and take your business to the next level.

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Program Highlights

Anyone Can Build" is more than a program—it’s a platform for change.  Created specifically for CALD women in Queensland, this 13-week journey is designed to help you:

⚫ Develop the skills and confidence to turn ideas into action.
⚫ Connect with a community of founders and mentors who share your vision.
⚫ Access tools, knowledge, and networks that empower you to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.

If you want a copy of the program syllabus, submit an EOI today!

Program details

Applications for this cohort has closed!

⏰ Duration: 13 weeks (28 July 2025 – 25 October 2025, with a one week break at Week 7)

😍 Format: Weekly online Expert-led sessions on Wednesday from 5:30 - 6:30PM AEST, mentoring and office hours, with two in-person events
Kick off event - 28th July 2025
Pitch showcase - 23rd Oct 2025

👭 Cohort Size: 17 participants

💰 Cost: This program is 100% free, thanks to the support of Advance Queensland.

Who should apply?

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 committed

How to apply?

Applying is simple and accessible:

  1. Submit your application: Submit your details through our online form (link below).
  2. Screening: We’ll review your application and assess your business idea’s potential for innovation and growth. We may reach out to you if we have additional questions.
  3. Selection: Selected participants will be notified and invited to join the program.

Applications for Cohort 1 are now closed!  Submit an EOI for our next cohort in May and you'll be the first to know about this transformative journey.

Key Benefits

cash

$1,000 Co-Matched funding pool

A co-matched award pool of up to $1000 raised *Funds available until the pool is exhausted.

support

Extensive support

Ask questions and get all the answers throughout your 13-week experience.

training

Training

Training to build core startup skills that will also take your employability to the next level 

mentor

Mentoring

Weekly 1:1 mentoring with a dedicated mentor

experts

Access to experts

Access to industry experts through weekly workshops and office hours

business

Access to the business landscape

Access to opportunities and networks through direct referrals and introductions

safe space

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

Community

Become a part of a vibrant community of ambitious Bla(c)k and Women of Colour revolutionising the business ecosystem in Australia

pitch

Pitch-readiness

Learn to nail your pitch to customers and investors whilst overcoming imposter syndrome

Register your Interest for future cohorts!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have questions, have a read through our FAQs. If you can't find what you're looking for, contact us on info@thecco.com.au

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Anyone Can - Program

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. 

Upcoming Dates for Cohort 2

applications open

Thursday 11th August, 5:00 pm AEST

1. Applications open

ama event

Tuesday 29th August, 6:30 pm AEST

2. AMA Session - Online Event

applications close

Tuesday 05th September, 11:59 pm AEST

3. Applications close

participants notified

Friday 29th September by 5:00 pm AEST

4. Finalists notified

program starts

Tuesday 17th October, 6:00 pm AEST

5. Program commences: In-person Orientation event

pitch competition

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!

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Program Alumni

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"The program at The CCO has proved invaluable in helping me articulate my story and get feedback from other women as I transition from just an idea to achieving scale. I'm really looking forward to growing my company with the new skills and network of incredible women that I've gained from this program."

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Rachel Castelino
Runner up (Cohort 1)

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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.

 

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