Home topics news News News Free January session on what investors seek in early-stage startups Yajush Gupta December 22, 2025 Free online session explores customer-centric validation, MVP marketing strategies, and building investable businesses What’s happening: Macquarie University Incubator is hosting a free online information session on 28 January 2026 for its Educate Program, designed to help founders validate ideas, structure businesses, and prepare for investment through masterclass streams covering pitching, creative thinking, marketing, and business structure. Why this matters: Startups often fail because founders refuse to adapt and lack proper mentorship Dynamic Business , making structured education programs increasingly valuable. The Educate Program addresses this by offering systematic validation frameworks mapped to merger and acquisition due diligence checklists. The Macquarie University Incubator’s Educate Program represents a structured approach to startup education that has supported more than 200 companies since its launch in 2017. The upcoming information session, scheduled for 28 January 2026 at 6:30 PM AEDT, will showcase how the program helps founders navigate the journey from initial idea to investment readiness. According to the incubator’s materials, the program delivers over 200 hours of education annually and connects participants with a network of more than 80 mentors and trainers. The curriculum has been deliberately mapped to merger and acquisition due diligence checklists, ensuring that all critical business areas are covered during the six-month program. 200+ Hours Annually The program offers several distinct masterclass streams, each addressing specific aspects of business development. The validate stream focuses on creative thinking and lean