Translate your healthcare ideas into real-world solutions

The Australian Clinical Entrepreneur Program (AUSCEP), is an industry-leading innovation program designed to advance clinician-led transformation across Australia's healthcare workforce. Applications are now closed for the 2024-25 Cohort for AHPRA healthcare workers in NSW and Vic.

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Course Information

Led by clinical entrepreneurs,
for clinical entrepreneurs

Our philosophy is simple — hire a team of diverse, passionate people and foster a culture that empowers you to do your best work.

Dr. Brandon Carp

National Entrepreneurial Lead

Founder of UHG, Australia’s leading platform connecting businesses and healthcare providers.

Dr. Carlo Bellini

Clinical Co-Lead

MD, entrepreneur & coach. Former Fortune 100 CMO with deep-tech experience in Silicon Valley.

Professor Peter Choong AO

Ambassador

Melbourne-based orthopaedic surgeon excelling in limb-sparing surgery. Renowned for global impact in research, teaching, and innovative patient care.

Professor Fiona Wood AM

Clinical Ambassador

2005 Australian of the Year, plastic & reconstructive surgeon at UWA. Renowned burn care specialist researcher at UWA & inventor of Recell "spray-on skin" technology.

Do you remember what inspired you to become a clinician in the first place?

AUSCEP exists to provide the skills, networks and training to aspiring clinical innovators through our flagship program and industry events.

We are the home for those who feel the current system underserves and want to make a meaningful difference in the world. People such as:

Clinicians

Clinicians seeking to translate their groundbreaking ideas into tangible healthcare solutions.

Healthcare workers

Healthcare workers eager to bridge the gap between traditional healthcare and cutting-edge technology.

Researchers

Researchers with a vision to bring their discoveries from the lab to real-world applications.

OUR flagship accelerator PROGRAM

Building the entrepreneurial skills and networks of Australian clinicians to transform healthcare

Inspired by the highly successful UK NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, so far the 12 month AUSCEP program has assisted over 100 Australian clinicians to pursue what inspired them to become a clinician in the first place.

Workshops

Engage in 8 immersive in-person workshops & 12 online webinars that blend clinical expertise with entrepreneurial insights. Run from VIC, NSW & WA.

Mentorship

Benefit from personalised guidance through one-on-one mentorship with industry experts across Digital Health, Service Delivery & Biotechnology.

1:1 Feedback

Access strategic consultations with our delivery team to refine your innovation's path from concept to impact, growth and beyond.

Introductions & industry showcase

Get access to and connect with a network of potential collaborators, investors, and partners to propel your venture forward.

Partners

Delivered by

We're proud to collaborate with the following industry partners.
Together, we are revolutionising healthcare by empowering those who heal to also lead.

Is this the program for you?

Hear from some of our incredible clinicians

As a busy clinician very preoccupied with delivering clinical care, I didn’t know there was a world of healthcare innovation that I can only now see with some clarity since the AUSCEP program and I love being part of it. This course has changed my future and its impact on my clinical work from now on.

Dr. Derek Eng

Pallative Medicine

This program was pivotal in giving me the confidence to establish myself as an entrepreneur. Being surrounded by amazing and inspiring people who are driving innovation and change in the most challenging of environments is life changing. We cannot be what we cannot see and knowing that there is a supportive community of people who have been there before gives you the confidence to continue and that is essential to drive change within healthcare.

Sarah Oorschot

Clinical Pharmacist

I've grown so much! AUSCEP has given me the confidence to 100% commit to my venture; examine my 'why'; to see I do have the skills to make educated risks; that I can put myself out there to hear a "no", yet take it as useful data to pivot. I feel much more confident now to deliver a successful health venture.

Dr. Donetta Charles

I'm finishing up the program a more confident entrepreneur with a stronger sense of purpose and resolve to make a difference, no matter how long it takes and I hope that I can stay connected to the AUSCEP for ongoing inspiration and collaboration in the future. Thanks!

Dr. Gill Singleton

GP Clinical Entrepreneur

The AUSCEP program has been invaluable in helping us refine our business, identify our value and facilitate introductions to incredibly useful connections and mentors within the health entrepreneurship space.

Dr. Georgia Downing

Medical Doctor

I would highly recommend clinicians to apply and join the AUSCEP program. It is a unique opportunity to meet your tribe and learn key knowledge about entrepreneurship in order to contribute towards unsuffering the world. Your adventure and innovation journey starts here, you will be supported, mentored and provided with professional links. It is time to light a flame instead of cursing the darkness!!!

Dr. Mark Lin

Consultant Psychiatrist

Support

Frequently asked questions

If you have further questions that are not answered below, please reach out to the team at contact@auscep.com.au

Am I eligible to apply?

Any AHPRA registered clinician (public or private provider), as well as NASRHP registered professionals that hold national peak body membership and are credentialed by a health service/network. You must have an innovative idea/product/service that is at any stage of development. This means that you must at least have an idea to solve a problem. Below is a non-exhaustive list of clinicians that are eligible for the program.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice
Chinese Medicine
Chiropractic
Dental practice
Dietitians
Exercise Physiologists
Medical practice (doctors)
Medical radiation practice
Nursing
Midwifery
Occupational therapy
Optometry
Osteopathy
Paramedicine
Pharmacy
Physiotherapy
Podiatry
Psychology
Social worker
Speech Pathologist

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What types of innovations will be accepted onto the program?

We accept applications that range from just an idea to solve an unmet need in healthcare to a fully established product/service that is looking to grow/scale. Your application could be any of the following:

An idea for a solution to a validated problem
Proof of concept (PoC)
Minimum viable product (MVP)
Product or service in trial or part use
Established companies looking to scale and grow

We accept innovations along the innovation maturity continuum as listed above in the following health care innovation verticals. These include:

Medical technologies (e.g. pacemakers, implants etc)
Digital health (e.g. patient adherence tools, data management platforms etc)
Service delivery improvements (e.g. service redesign projects, coaching programs etc)

We accept applications that primarily benefit the Australian healthcare system, and this could be directly or indirectly. The idea can be clinical or non-clinical, for example, it may be a device, app, service improvement idea, workforce development idea, or anything else.

When is the next intake?

Currently, the program is in a pilot phase which concludes mid-2024. Register your interest so that you can be kept up to date with future program plans, including future intakes and extending eligibility to clinicians and allied health professionals from all states and territories across Australia!

Do I need to inform my employer?

Please ensure your employer is aware of your plans to take place in the program as you will be required to attend pitstops during the day. How you choose to take this time out of work is a discussion you will need to have with your manager/employer.

What is the time commitment, if successful?

The program is designed to allow participants to continue with full time employment whilst taking part in the program. However, we expect participants to attend most of the 8 full day pit stops in person as these are not always recorded.

Participants committed to allocating 2-3 hours a week to engage in mentoring, networking and self-directed learning will see the greatest benefits from the program. It is anticipated that participants will dedicate a minimum of 60 hours of their time throughout the duration of the one-year program.

Will I be able to keep my intellectual property?

AUSCEP does not have any claims on any pre-existing IP or any IP developed during the program. We strongly advise participants discuss their IP arrangements with their employer prior to commencing the program to ensure they are aware of their rights and obligations under relevant employer policies and procedures. We do not offer individual IP advice to participants.

What is the cost to join the program?

There are no financial costs associated with joining and accessing the program, however we do expect participants will invest their time and energy in order to succeed in the program.

Will I receive funding if I am successful in joining the program?

Acceptance onto the program does not guarantee access to funding, however you will learn how to access grant opportunities and secure investments. You will also gain access to industry connections which may lead to funding opportunities.

Can I apply with someone else for the same idea/business?

We cannot accept joint applications but can accept applications where there are co-founders/teams working on the same innovation. A lead applicant who meets the eligibility criteria should apply on behalf of the co-founders/team.

Can I apply as an ‘intrapreneur’ or someone doing a clinical service improvement project?

The program aims to support clinicians to develop their ideas for patient benefit. It isn’t only for those who are planning on starting their own business or making a financial return, it is also for those wanting to make a difference in the Australian healthcare system. On this basis, we welcome applications from ‘Intrapreneurs’ with ideas for service delivery or workforce improvement.

Intrapreneurship is the act of behaving like an entrepreneur while working within a large organisation, such as the Australian Healthcare system or large healthcare organisations.

How will applications be selected?

Applications will be assessed by a panel made up of members of the AUSCEP team, clinical entrepreneurs, industry stakeholders and entrepreneurial experts. Applications that meet a certain threshold will be accepted onto the program. If the assessment panel feels they need any further information about your application in order to make a decision, they may choose to arrange a brief video call to discuss.

All unsuccessful applications will be reviewed by a validation committee to ensure that decisions to not offer a place on the program are fair and justified.

Who will assess my applications?

There is a pool of assessors that assist with program applications. These include the AUSCEP team listed on the team page of this website. All assessors and validators will be asked to declare any known conflicts of interest to the AUSCEP program team and all assessors sign a non-disclosure agreement.

When will I find out if my application is successful?

If your application is successful, you will be notified and sent an Australian Clinical Entrepreneur Agreement which must be signed and returned in order to accept your place on the program. This document will set out the terms of your place on the program.

As we are currently in our second cohort for 2023/2024, please keep an eye on your emails for our cohort 3 intake launch date during 2024.

Led by clinical entrepreneurs, for clinical entrepreneurs