The Ideas Challenge
An online self-paced 10 week course for high school students involving 3 modules on planning, prototyping and pitching. Students who successfully complete each assignment receive a Macquarie University issued micro-credential.
Who is this for?
All high schoolers based in New South Wales are welcome to apply, whether you're in Sydney or elsewhere in NSW. You don't need to think of yourself as a 'creative' or an 'entrepreneur' - just bring an idea to a real world problem and we'll help you explore how you might be able to take it further!
Along the way, you'll build skills and confidence that will help you throughout school, life and any future career, whether you end up working for someone else or yourself.
What kind of idea?
Any! You could be working on a new product or service, app or website, event or initiative - it's really up to you. We'll help you explore whether it's going to be an effective answer to your problem, and something you could deliver on an ongoing basis.
What kind of problem?
Again, any! You could be looking to solve a huge 'wicked problem' one step at a time, or just seeking to improve something in your own life, school, or local community. Whatever it is, it should be something you feel capable of addressing today.
What kinds of skills?
Think problem solving, creative thinking, listening, empathy, business/project planning, design, and persuasive speaking (pitching) to name a few. These are life skills that definitely help entrepreneurs, but also students in general to navigate life's challenges and opportunities more effectively.
What Will We Do?
We know students are incredibly busy with school work and assessments, not to mention all your other extracurriculars! We've designed a program that won't add too much to your plate, while also introducing you to entirely new concepts and the same professional coaching or mentoring we give to adult startup founders.
Students who make it through the initial application will be invited to our Google Classroom, where everything will be managed.
In the infographic below, you'll see the following event types with dates and times and with explanations on what to expect for assessments, resource drops and workshops…
Key Dates for 2027
Assessments?
Our challenges can be taken as seriously as you wish, and we certainly don't want you to stress about them. We'll provide all kinds of support to ensure you get your work submitted on time. This is how you'll unlock badges (MQ University-issued micro-credentials) along the way.
Resource drops?
We'll provide a bunch of optional reading/viewing on the module's topic, posted to our Google Classroom, which you could try to review before our live workshop where you'll get to work directly with teams of experts from Young Wisdom and the MQ Incubator.
Workshops?
Our live online workshops are an opportunity for you to chat with experienced startup coaches and creative professionals, and get to know some of the other students taking part in the program. These will be Q&A sessions where we present some theory on the module topic, but mostly answer questions (e.g. via Slido) and talk about your ideas.
Following the completion of all 3 online modules, 10 of the student teams will be offered the opportunity to present at the end of term Pitch Night at the renowned Macquarie University Incubator.
Watch the Highlights from our previous Pitch Nights!
After completing all 3 online modules, 10 teams are selected to pitch for prize funding at the end of semester Pitch Night!
FAQs
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We deliver advisory and implementation services in strategy, operations, marketing, and technology.
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We calculate fees based on scope, complexity, and projected resources, then present a transparent proposal.
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Engagements range from two weeks for focused audits to several months for comprehensive transformation.
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Yes, we remain actively involved until solutions are fully operational and staff are confident.