How Software Startup Fluency Went from Idea to Market

Pre-Accelerator Program

Once an idea has taken shape and entrepreneurs are ready to get started on the hard work, that’s where Swinburne Innovation Studio’s Pre-Accelerator Program comes in.

Oliver and Finnlay jumped into the six-week program, using the opportunity to focus on customer insights and business validation. They also used the program’s workshops to construct a minimum viable product (MVP) using code they taught themselves to write.

Finally, at the program’s pitch night, where participants present their startup to a judging panel, the duo won the Best Pitch Award.

As a result of their strong performance and rapid product development, Fluency was accepted into Swinburne Innovation Studio’s Accelerator Program.

Accelerator Program

The Accelerator Program is a three-month intensive schedule of seminars and mentoring. It also comes with $20,000 equity-free funding. 

The program’s objective: to get start-ups ready for investment.

Once again, Oliver and Finnlay maximised the opportunities that the program presented, building momentum. This time, Fluency took home the prize for the People’s Choice Award at the program’s pitch night.

Swinburne Ventures Limited Investment

From there, Fluency transitioned to a venture-funded growth stage company. Swinburne Ventures Limited invested in the startup, providing financial support for Oliver and Finnlay to develop their technology and team.

The company now has clients in Australia, Singapore and Japan. As at May 2024, the company was valued at AUD $3 million.

Swinburne’s investment in Fluency demonstrates the value of the university’s startup programs and commitment to fostering innovative businesses.

“Swinburne doesn’t just fund the Accelerator program, we invest in it,” says Dr van der Merwe, Vice President of Innovation and Enterprise.

“We invest in the companies that will bring our research to market, we invest in ourselves to better understand how to operate in a commercial world, and we invest in the people who will go on to create a better world.”

Turn your ideas into reality

The Swinburne Innovation Studio startup programs that helped launch Fluency are open to the whole Swinburne community.

“If you’re brimming with ideas and eager to turn them into a startup reality, the Swinburne Innovation Studio is your go-to,” says Abhay Seth, Director of Commercial Innovation.

“We’re here to empower aspiring founders by connecting them with relevant content, opportunities and networks in the vibrant startup community.”