Kinesis Pre-Accelerator
A lab-embedded program for Victoria's deep tech founders.
Kinesis is a 20-week pre-accelerator supporting early-stage founders building applied biology, AI-enabled and deep tech ventures. Delivered in person at CoLabs’ PC2 laboratory and co-working facilities, it gives you something most programs can’t: a single environment where you can move between need discovery, experimentation and prototyping – validating the science and the commercial case in parallel.
Why Kinesis?
Most pre-accelerators are classroom-based and built for software ventures. Lab-dependent startups – particularly in applied biology – are left without programs suited to how they actually work, which means delays, early failure, or relocation offshore.
Kinesis closes that gap. It provides in-kind access to laboratory and workspace infrastructure alongside structured ecosystem connectivity – linking you to industry partners, investors and specialist mentors. The program is inspired by the Stanford Biodesign methodology, which insists on one discipline above all: validate a real-world problem before you commit to building a solution.
Who's it for?
- Founders at idea → pre-seed stage
- Researchers and students exploring venture pathways
- Operators transitioning into venture building
- Individuals or early teams working on complex, system-level challenges
How the program works
Kinesis follows a three-phase Biodesign-inspired framework, adapted for deep tech conditions:
- Identify: Rigorously define and validate unmet needs – through research, expert interviews, market sizing and competitive analysis – before committing to a solution.
- Invent: Develop and iterate solution concepts, tested against technical feasibility, differentiation and stakeholder value through experimentation and structured feedback.
- Implement: Translate validated concepts into credible commercial pathways – covering IP, regulation, manufacturing, go-to-market and investor readiness.
Each cohort spans roughly 24 calendar weeks of delivery (allowing for holiday breaks), is supported by ongoing mentoring, and concludes with an investor and industry Demo Day. Graduates transition to alumni status with continued access to the infrastructure and 12 months of post-program support.
What founders get
- Lab and workspace access at CoLabs’ PC2 facilities
- A structured, Biodesign-led curriculum
- Ongoing mentoring from specialist mentors
- Industry and investor connections
- A Demo Day showcase to investors and industry
Key Details
Format In-person, lab-embedded at CoLabs’ PC2 laboratory and co-working facilities in Victoria Duration 20-week structured program per cohort, delivered across two cohorts Cohort size Up to 8 startup teams per cohort Sectors Applied biology, AI-enabled and deep tech – across health, agriculture, advanced manufacturing and sustainability Cost to participants $3,000 upfront, with $1,000 refunded on completion Timing
Stage Cohort 1 Cohort 2 Recruitment and selection To Oct 2026 To Jul 2027 Program delivery begins 3 Nov 2026 28 Jul 2027 Demo Day 13 Apr 2027 5 Jan 2028
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Kinesis is supported by LaunchVic, Victoria’s startup agency, and delivered by CoLabs – a trusted provider of PC2 laboratory infrastructure and an established deep tech ecosystem builder. We bring the labs, the network, and the operational experience to help Victoria’s most technical founders move from curiosity to validated venture.
Apply for the Kinesis Program