Kickstart 2025 with Creative Innovator — a transformative business incubator program designed to turn your creative idea into reality.
Got a concept or idea that needs a boost to become a thriving business? Ready to transform your arts practice into a sustainable venture? Let’s make 2025 your breakthrough year.
Whether you’re refining an existing concept or dreaming of turning your creative practice into a sustainable enterprise, Creative Innovator is here to help.
Now in its fifth year, Creative Innovator is open to solo creatives or small teams with a promising project or idea. Over six months, you’ll sharpen your business skills, fuel your entrepreneurial mindset, and thrive in a supportive, creative environment.
The program wraps up with a chance to pitch for up to $20,000 in funding to supercharge your business.
You’ll receive skills development and mentoring in key areas such as:
- The feasibility of your product or service
- Business planning – strategy and budgeting
- Networking and audience development
- Pitching and presentation
- Branding and marketing
- Goal setting and evaluation
Tarntanya-based art-folk band Any Young Mechanic (formerly Wake in Fright), were presented with $20,000 in start-up funds at the finale in 2024. They will undertake a significant Australian and international publicity campaign to support the release of their forthcoming 12-track record, The Modern Shoe Is Ruining the Foot, ahead of a tour.
Any Young Mechanic is Allan McBean on upright bass, Jachin Mee on drums and backing vocals, Luka Kilgariff-Johnson on electric guitar and banjo, Sam Wilson on vocals and guitar, and Thea Martin on violin.
Graduates from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide, Sam, Jachin and Thea took part in the program. Band members Allan and Luka are currently studying at the Elder Conservatorium of Music.
“The most crucial thing about the Creative Innovator Program was that we had so much time to devote to thinking about our practice and how to make it viable. The mentoring element of this program is truly invaluable. To work with someone in the industry and get funding and time to understand how they could help us was amazing.” – Sam Wilson
Dream it. Build it. Make 2025 the year it happens.
KEY DATES
- For activity occurring between April and September 2025
BEFORE YOU START YOUR APPLICATION
Make sure you read this Information for Applicants guidelines thoroughly, watch our FAQs here and read our Grant Writing tip sheet here!
WHO CAN APPLY?
Creative Innovator has expanded eligibility. Applications are invited from graduates of supported degrees from our partner institutions – the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, and Flinders University – up to seven (7) years from graduation.
To check your eligibility please visit the Who We Support page on our website.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Helpmann Academy (08) 7089 0720 / info@helpmannacademy.com.au
Helpmann Academy Creative Innovator Program is supported by the South Australian Government through CreateSA, K&S Langley Family, and Perks Accountants & Wealth Advisors, with special thanks to Square Holes and Andrew Leunig.
Images: Any Young Mechanic, recipients of the major seed funding. Photos by Danny Howe and @capslock.adl