Transformer

Transformer is an Australian-first entrepreneurship program offered as a fee-free, extracurricular option to undergraduate and postgraduate students from all disciplines.

Based in a dedicated co-working space, Transformer brings together students from every area within the University to work in multidisciplinary teams, tasked with developing practical solutions to real-world problems.

Whether you’ve discovered a problem that needs to be solved, you have a unique product or service to sell, or are just full of big ideas, Transformer could be the place that nurtures your entrepreneurial spirit and teaches you the skills needed to succeed in the oversaturated business landscape. Whatever you’re passionate about, and whatever your dreams are, Transformer is all about seeing opportunity through entrepreneurial application… it could just be the most life-changing experience you have here at Bond.

Transformer 1:01

Learn all about the Transformer program in just 61 seconds.

Collaboration. Conversation. Inspiration.

Transformer facilitates collaboration across five distinct areas. As part of Transformer, you will:

Experience entrepreneurship with a diverse, culturally inclusive team of students from the full spectrum of faculties and study areas.
Participate in workshops on topics ranging from interpersonal to technical skills.
Transform your idea into reality through either an individual student venture, group project or global competition.
Access industry experts, mentors, coaches and a cutting-edge co-working space.
Cross-collaborate with all Bond faculties, alumni, industry and the community.

Mentoring from the best in the business

A key aspect of the Transformer experience is the opportunity to be mentored and inspired by industry leaders, academics, and alumni. As part of the program, you will have access to complimentary masterclasses and showcases that put you in the room with industry professionals, aspiring entrepreneurs and potential investors.

You’ll gain insights from some of Australia’s most successful start-ups and venture capitalists, and be motivated by young achievers who started their journey exactly where you are now. Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with Bond’s extensive network of corporate, government and community partners who are proactive in supporting our student entrepreneurs.

100k in grants over three years

Seed grant fund applications open

The Transformer Seed Grant Fund aims to support student business ventures with strong potential for success.
Students and alumni have significant potential and often require additional funding to commercialise their venture.
Commencing in 2023, the fund has allocated $25,000 and will allocate the remaining $75,000 over the next two years.
This initiative aims to empower Bond students and graduates, enabling them to elevate their business ventures to new heights.
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2024 application timeline
- 27 September: Entries open
- 29 October: Entries close (11.59pm)
- 1 November: Top four finalists notified by email
- 11 November: Final pitch in front of the panel
- 13 November: Seed Grant Fund winner notified
- 14 November: Seed Grant Fund winner announced at Demo Day
Funding Approval

Once applications have been assessed, the panel will recommend seed grant funding to the Executive Dean for approval. Grants of less than $25,000 will be approved by the Executive Dean of the Bond Business School. Funding amounts greater than $25,000 will require the approval of the Vice Chancellor

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The business pitch
Students/teams must submit a video (no longer than 5 minutes) with their online application to pitch their business and state how they will spend the funding. Entrants must address all the following criteria to be considered:
VIEW THE FULL CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS

The Transformer Seed Grant Fund aims to support student business ventures with strong potential for success.

Students and alumni have significant potential and often require additional funding to commercialise their venture.

Commencing in 2023, the fund has allocated $25,000 and will allocate the remaining $75,000 over the next two years.

This initiative aims to empower Bond students and graduates, enabling them to elevate their business ventures to new heights.

APPLY NOW

Hear from our Transformer students

Student

“The Transformer program is a great opportunity to network and collaborate with mentors and students from all faculties. Through the program I have developed my personal leadership skills as well as building on my presentation techniques and overall confidence. The Transformer is a great program for any student wanting to build on their interpersonal and creative skills and thinking outside of the box.”

Kian Heera - Bachelor of Business
Student

“The Transformer Design Thinking Workshop educated me on how I can approach problems and ideas from a practical perspective. Before attending the workshop it had not occurred to me how often I had started with an idea or a solution, and worked backwards by then trying to apply it to a problem. I think in my future career as a Physiotherapist, Design Thinking will be crucial for how I treat patients."

Shannon Gill - Bachelor of Exercise Sports Science

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Entrepreneurs are made, not born

Each day, it becomes increasingly clear that entrepreneurship is a key capability that will be a gamechanger for tomorrow’s leaders. Transformer is built on the premise that entrepreneurial capabilities can be learnt – that they are not just something you’re born with – and that they can be applied not just to business, but to solving any issue or problem.

Through this unique multidisciplinary, team-based program, each student will develop an understanding of entrepreneurship, a suite of leadership and entrepreneurial skills and, most importantly, an entrepreneurial mindset.

Along the way, you will gain courage and confidence as you see your idea move from conception to research to refinement to execution. You’ll also learn how to lead and work within diverse teams, and the value of listening to well-informed advice.

Skills that get the job done

Transformer is designed to develop the core skills and capabilities that will drive success in your career and in life. These include:

Interpersonal
Interpersonal
- Self awareness
- Resilience
- Leadership
- An entrepreneurial mindset
- The ability to build a high-performance team
- Pitching skills
- Networking acumen
Technical
Technical
- Design thinking
- Entrepreneurial risk taking
- Building an online presence
- Showcasing
- Industry collaboration
Execution
Execution
- Real-world projects
- Student projects
- Group projects
- Global competitions
- Industry projects
- Start-up ventures
- Commercialisation

The Transformer Hub

The Transformer program has its own dedicated space within Bond Business School. With 24/7 access for students, the Transformer Hub is a place to meet, interact and join forces with like-minded classmates and team members who will help you take your project to the next level.

This dynamic, co-working space is designed around the concept of ‘accelerated serendipity’, featuring a series of zones where chance encounters transform into productive discussions, brainstorming sessions and planning meetings.

A casual conversation at the coffee machine, for instance, can quickly turn to business at the adjacent bench-desk or around the whiteboard in the lounge area. Breakout rooms can be adjusted for large, small or multiple meetings. Or, you can take it outside to the landscaped garden courtyard.

Transformer scholarships

Each year, two Transformer Scholarships are awarded to students commencing their bachelor’s or master’s degree at Bond. Specifically, we are looking for outstanding applicants who are capable of and committed to effecting real change through participation in the Transformer program. If this sounds like you, now’s the time to put your best foot forward – learn more and apply now.

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Transformer Launchpad

Each semester, our Transformer teams pitch their ideas to a panel of judges, with the top two teams receiving a share of $3000 non-equity funding. Previous winners include an augmented reality app that simulates an ophthalmoscope, an app to provide real-time COVID status updates for travellers, and a digital platform to help refugees improve their living conditions.

Transformer in the news

Bond leads in start-up success stories

Bond University is the top Australian university for entrepreneurship according to new data published by The Australian newspaper.

Transformer appoints leading entrepreneur Stuart Giles as inaugural Founder in Residence

Bond University has recruited one of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs to help its students forge their own path to business success.

Cultural journey sparks Imogen's artistic enterprise

Bachelor of Business and Social Science student Imogen Clarence is doing big things in the Indigenous art scene.

Female founders the focus of Entrepreneurship Week

Lilliana Swainson, a Bond University student, entrepreneur and author, is putting women to the fore.